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/

New Costume Swap Toolkit Helps Communities Prepare for World Book Day Sustainably

With World Book Day coming up in March, Rstuff has launched a new Costume Swap Toolkit to help schools, parents, and community groups reduce cost and waste while still celebrating reading in style.

World Book Day costumes are often worn just once and made from materials that are hard to recycle, creating waste and extra cost for families. The new toolkit makes it easy to organise local costume swaps, giving families access to a wide range of book-inspired outfits without the expense or environmental impact of buying new.

The Costume Swap Toolkit provides practical, step-by-step guidance, including planning tips, promotional materials, and event checklists, making it simple for anyone to host a successful swap ahead of World Book Day.

“World Book Day should be about inspiring children to love stories, while also reducing environmental impact of this event where possible,” said Katherine Fleet , Head of Sustainability & Circularity at RECOUP “Costume swaps are a fun, creative way to aid celebrations that involve dressing up whilst saving money and reducing waste.”

By encouraging reuse and sharing, costume swaps help:

• Cut down on single-use costumes

• Save families money

• Build stronger, more connected communities

The toolkit is free to access at:
Https://rstuff.uk/community/ 

RECOUP launches Rstuff to inspire action on reuse, repair and recycling across communities and education

RECOUP has launched Rstuff, an evolution of its long-running Pledge2Recycle Plastics campaign, designed to help communities and educational establishments think beyond recycling and embrace reuse, repair, and waste reduction.

Building on over a decade of experience delivering national recycling communications and working with local authorities, schools, and community groups, Rstuff expands RECOUP’s reach with accessible, practical resources that make sustainable living simple and engaging.

The launch comes at a time when the UK’s resource consumption is equivalent to using 2.6 planets’ worth of resources every year – a stark reminder that recycling alone is not enough. Rstuff aims to empower people to make small but meaningful changes that collectively reduce waste and overconsumption.

To celebrate the launch, Rstuff has unveiled its Christmas Toolkit, a free online package designed to support schools, councils, and community organisations in sharing positive messages around recycling, reuse, and waste minimisation during the festive period.

The toolkit includes:

• Key facts and tips on recycling and reducing waste at Christmas.
• Ready-to-use social media posts and graphics.
• Classroom and community resources to inspire discussion and action.

Other seasonal resources now available through Rstuff include:

• Christmas Jumper Swap Toolkit – promoting reuse and community spirit through clothing swaps.
• Coat Swap Toolkit – supporting families and individuals to stay warm sustainably while reducing textile waste.

“Rstuff represents the next step in RECOUP’s public engagement journey,” said Katherine Fleet, Head of Sustainability & Circularity at RECOUP. “While recycling remains vital, we know we must help people think more broadly about reuse, repair and waste prevention. Rstuff provides the tools and inspiration to make those everyday sustainable choices easier.”

RECOUP will continue to work closely with local authorities on recycling communication campaigns under the RECOUP brand, while Rstuff extends this work to community and educational audiences.

All resources, including the Christmas Toolkit, can be accessed at www.rstuff.uk.

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Building a Circular Future: Industry Leaders Unite at The RECOUP Conference 

The RECOUP Conference once again brought together leading voices from packaging, recycling, finance, and policy to examine how the UK, and beyond, can move closer to true plastic circularity.

Opening the event, Jeremy Blake of PackUK described 2025 as a pivotal year for the packaging landscape. With new legislation set to reshape the sector, he emphasised the opportunity to cut emissions, reduce waste, and design a packaging system that delivers benefits for both businesses and communities.

The first session, chaired by Dr Adam Read MBE, SUEZ, with speakers from Barclays, Biffa Polymers, DOW, Tesco, ReLondon and Nestlé UK, examined whether the UK can realistically achieve plastic circularity.  The panel agreed that progress is possible, but only with decisive action combined with the right strategy. Much of the debate focused on how the industry balances ambition with pragmatism with discussion focused on tackling difficult-to-recycle materials, investing in innovation, and developing reuse models, while also ensuring that existing solutions are not overlooked. Speakers stressed that waiting for future technologies risks slowing momentum and that the industry should be “using what we have now” and addressing why so much UK plastic is still exported. Finance was also highlighted as a key enabler, with speakers reminding delegates that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. Ultimately, the discussion underscored the need for clear national strategy, fair accountability across the packaging lifecycle, and greater investment in solutions.

Session two looked beyond the UK to examine international models. Chaired by Joachim Quoden of EXPRA, joined by panellists from DROP-IN, Repak, Greenback Recycling Technologies, University of Portsmouth, Amcor, Coperion Recycling and WRAP, the session drew on global experiences of Extended Producer Responsibility, taxation schemes, and Deposit Return Systems. Speakers noted that while national contexts differ, the challenges are often remarkably similar and whilst it can be extremely difficult to accept advice from other countries, we can learn a lot by doing so. Innovations such as chemical and dissolution recycling, alongside certification and traceability systems, were identified as essential to building trust and scaling solutions. The session explored how experiences from other countries show that isolated changes to waste management systems often fail to achieve their intended outcomes, creating unexpected complications. The panel agreed that the UK has an opportunity to implement an evidence-based circular strategy by aligning infrastructure, incentives, and enforcement. Speakers also pointed to the need for policies that encourage collaboration as well as the importance of building trust, aligning systems, and investing in scalable infrastructure to ensure real circularity.

The final session, “Plastic Fact vs Plastic Fiction – The Plastic Paradox,” chaired by Rowan Byrne, WSP alongside speakers from Viridor, Waitrose, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Faerch, CIWM and Birmingham University, addressed public perceptions, addressing the myths and misconceptions surrounding plastics. Panellists agreed that plastic itself is not inherently harmful – the real challenge is in its mismanagement. The discussion highlighted the growing concern around microplastics, the fragility of domestic recycling infrastructure following the closure of 22% of UK facilities since 2023, and the need to invest in systems that can keep resources in circulation. Public appetite for recycling remains strong, and the forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme is expected to lift recycling rates to 70%, supported by significant private investment. At the same time the panel expressed that misinformation and clickbait reporting were seen as barriers to progress, with calls for the industry to work more closely with the media to share positive, fact-based stories.

Across all sessions, three consistent themes emerged: the need for greater collaboration across borders and sectors, the importance of accelerating investment in innovation and infrastructure, and the central role of public trust. As the conference made clear, plastic is here to stay – but with the right systems, it can remain a valuable resource rather than a persistent waste problem.

Find out more about RECOUP and the work they do at recoup.org

Shaping the Future of Plastics: 2025 RECOUP Award Winners Announced

This year’s RECOUP Awards once again celebrated the outstanding work being carried out across the plastics value chain in re-use, recycling, and re-design.

Held on the evening before the highly anticipated RECOUP Conference, the awards attracted strong participation and generated significant interest from across the plastics resources and recycling sector, with impressive entries submitted in every category.

The awards presented, highlighted the achievements of organisations and individuals driving innovation and progress in plastics circularity. The 2025 category winners are:

• Best Innovation in Equipment or Technology: Circular&Co. – TAP&REUSE™
• Recycled Plastic Product of the Year: Mondelēz International – Cadbury Sharing Bars 80% Recycled Plastic
• Plastics Circularity Project of the Year – Packaging: Polytag Limited – Ecotrace Programme
• Plastics Circularity Project of the Year – Other: Indorama Ventures – Waste Hero Education
• Best Plastic Product Development for Recyclability or Re-Use: Amcor – Reusable cup portfolio
• Plastics Industry Champion: Paul Davidson – Innovate UK
• RECOUP Award of Recognition: Adrian Whyle

Each of the winners has demonstrated leadership, creativity, and commitment to building a more sustainable plastics system, inspiring change across the UK and beyond.

The following day, the RECOUP Conference brought together a wide range of speakers and delegates to explore the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. Discussions highlighted the need for faster progress, greater collaboration across the value chain, and the essential role of consumers in shaping the future of sustainable plastics.

Reflecting on the event, Stuart Foster, CEO of RECOUP, said:

“This year’s conference and awards dinner offered exactly the kind of open, insightful space we need – where innovators, industry leaders, policy makers and practitioners can come together to challenge assumptions, share real-world solutions, and spark the collaborations that will move the plastics sector forward. With evolving legislation, increasing demand for sustainable alternatives, and the urgency of climate targets, the time for action is now. I’m grateful to all who contributed – from speakers to delegates, judges to entrants – for making this gathering a catalyst for change.”

Congratulations to all the winners, and thank you to everyone who submitted entries. The drive for innovation and collaboration is essential as we continue working toward a circular and sustainable future for plastics. Details for next year’s awards, dinner, and conference will be announced in due course – don’t miss your chance to take part.