RECOUP Expands Laboratory Capabilities with New Microplastic Analysis Service

RECOUP, the UK’s leading independent authority and trusted voice on plastics resource efficiency and recycling, has expanded its in‑house laboratory through significant improvements to its microplastic analysis capabilities. This marks an important development in the organisation’s ability to examine plastics at a far more detailed level, strengthening the evidence base available to industry, researchers, and policymakers.

RECOUP’s enhanced microplastic analysis capability builds on the organisation’s established laboratory services, including recyclability assessments, material identification and sorting performance evaluation. The upgraded methods allow for more precise examination of microplastics, offering clearer insight into polymer types, particle size, morphology, and behaviour.

The improved approach enables RECOUP to detect microplastics previously hidden within complex materials such as soil samples. By digesting organic matter and applying density separation, the laboratory can isolate particles that standard visual analysis may miss. Using an FTIR microscope, RECOUP can now accurately identify polymers in particles as small as 200 μm, providing stronger confirmation of material composition and fragmentation behaviour. Integrating this capability with existing testing programmes allows RECOUP to link product design and recyclability outcomes with how materials behave in real‑world systems and environmental pathways.

Richard Cham, Technical Manager at RECOUP commented, “By enhancing our microplastic analysis, we are adding greater scientific depth to the services our members and partners already rely on. This new capability helps us uncover microplastics that were previously undetected in environmental samples and enables us to evaluate plastics more fully across their lifecycle so that organisations can take evidence-based action to reduce environmental impact.”

These advancements reinforce RECOUP’s continued commitment to supporting the plastics value chain through high‑quality analysis and evidence, practical guidance, and authoritative technical expertise. The improved microplastic analysis capability will support future research collaborations, policy development, and ongoing industry efforts to address plastic fragmentation and environmental impact.

To learn more about RECOUP’s improved testing services, please contact our laboratory team at enquiry@recoup.org or visit www.recoup.org.

Defra and Environment Agency Update Guidance on Collection of Packaging EPR Data

There was updated guidance on 17 February from Defra and the Environment Agency about what packaging EPR data needs to be collected.

The guidance outlines what data packaging producers need to collect and report to comply with EPR.

There are minor amendments for clarity and the update includes:

• The reusable packaging section now explicitly states that reusable packaging must be reported twice.
• The hired or loaned section clarifies that it is the service provider who must report, not the person hiring or borrowing.
• The plastic subtypes section adds household drinks containers to the list of packaging types requiring a rigid and flexible split.
• The tertiary packaging definition has been corrected.
• The shipment packaging definition covers all tertiary packaging supplied to consumers, not just online or mail order.
• The section on packaging already supplied by another producer has been rewritten, using “supplied” rather than “reported” as the legal trigger.

The full guidance can be viewed here.

Secure Your Place at The RECOUP Summit – Help Shape the UK’s Circular Plastics Future

The shift to a circular plastics economy can’t happen alone – it requires collaboration across materials, infrastructure, technology, and policy. The RECOUP Summit, sponsored by WRAP and Ecosurety, is where the UK’s plastics community comes together. 

On 4 March 2026 in Leeds, leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from across the plastics, packaging, and recycling value chain will gather for a focused day of discussion on the systems, technologies, and partnerships driving circularity in the UK. 

Following the success of the 2025 Summit, this year’s event will explore how materials innovation, advanced recycling infrastructure, and AI-driven insights are creating a more resilient, effective circular economy. Attendees will benefit from expert-led breakout sessions, followed by collaborative discussions tackling shared challenges and identifying actionable opportunities. 

Session themes include: 

• Materials of Tomorrow: Innovation Driving Circular Change 

• Rebuilding the UK Recycling System 

• AI and the Future of Plastics 

Contributors include PepsiCo, Borealis, Enviroo, Reconomy, Sherbourne Recycling, WRAP, Asda, Greyparrot, and other leading organisations shaping the future of recycling and resource efficiency. 

With a focus on practical insight and cross-sector collaboration, The RECOUP Summit is your chance to move beyond ambition and start delivering real-world solutions. 

Attendance is limited – don’t miss your opportunity to join this essential conversation. Ticket Sales close on 24 February 2026 

Leeds | 4 March 2026 

Secure your ticket and view the full agenda at: https://www.recoup.org/news-events/the-recoup-summit/ 

RECOUP Appoints New Vice Chair to Strengthen Leadership and Strategic Direction

RECOUP, the UK’s leading independent authority and trusted voice on plastic circularity is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Whyle as Vice Chair of the Board.

In this role, Adrian will support and guide RECOUP’s strategic and practical initiatives, strengthen governance, and help drive genuine collaboration and forward thinking across the whole plastics value chain. Adrian brings over 35 years’ international experience in the speciality chemicals and plastics industry, across a wide variety of roles. The appointment reflects RECOUP’s ongoing commitment to leadership excellence and delivering the longstanding aims of the organisation.

Adrian commented ‘I have supported RECOUP for many years as a Board member, and really looking forward to seeing how far the network can push plastic circularity in the coming years. I hope to play a key role in working with industry and charity partners, members, and stakeholders to advance RECOUP’s mission.’

RECOUP chair Jim Armstrong added ‘Adrian is very well known and respected across business, academia and government, and I am delighted that he has taken on the Vice Chair role. His extensive experience and strategic perspective will be invaluable as we continue to build stronger connections across the plastics value chain and enhance our impact in delivering circular plastics systems while reducing impacts on the environment. I would also like to thank Glyn Staines who steps down as Vice Chair for his hard work and support over the past five years.’

The next key RECOUP event will be the Leeds Summit on 4th March, and they will also be exhibiting and presenting at the Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026 trade show on 11th and 12th February at the Birmingham NEC.

Collaboration, Insight, and Ambition: Accelerating Circularity in the UK at The RECOUP Summit

The transition to a circular plastics economy cannot happen in isolation. It demands collaboration across materials, infrastructure, technology and policy.

On 4 March 2026, The RECOUP Summit returns to Leeds, bringing together leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from across the plastics, packaging, and recycling value chain for a focused day of discussion on the systems, technologies and partnerships needed to accelerate circularity in the UK.

Following a successful 2025 event, the 2026 Summit will examine how innovation in materials, advances in recycling infrastructure and the growing role of data and AI can support more resilient and effective circular systems. The programme features a series of expert-led breakout sessions, followed by a collaborative afternoon discussion designed to address shared challenges and future opportunities.

Session themes include:

• Materials of Tomorrow: Innovation Driving Circular Change
• Rebuilding the UK Recycling System
• AI and the Future of Plastics

The Summit will feature contributions from organisations including Borealis, Enviroo, Brightgreen, Sherbourne Recycling, Asda, WRAP, and Woodly, alongside other businesses and stakeholders actively shaping the future of recycling and resource efficiency.

With a strong emphasis on practical insight and cross-sector collaboration, The RECOUP Summit provides a forum for open dialogue on how the industry can move beyond ambition and towards delivery.

Attendance is limited, with places capped to support meaningful discussion and engagement.

Location | Leeds
Date | 4 March 2026

For further information, including the full agenda and ticket details, visit:
https://www.recoup.org/news-events/the-recoup-summit/