Flexible Plastic Fund Launches ‘Flexcircular’ to Progress the Recycling of UK Flexible Plastic Packaging

The Flexible Plastic Fund (FPF) has launched its next major initiative, FlexCircular which aims to further accelerate the UK’s transition to a circular economy for flexible plastic packaging.

Building on the momentum of the award-winning FPF FlexCollect project, which successfully demonstrated that large-scale household collection of flexible plastic packaging is achievable, FPF FlexCircular represents the next critical step: moving from collection towards recycling and full-system circularity.

FPF Flex Circular builds on the results of the FlexCollect project, and is a collaborative effort with input from DEFRA, PackUK, Welsh Government and Zero Waste Scotland, and a specially commissioned project team comprising Suez, CEFLEX, WRAP and RECOUP.

This initial project is undertaking comprehensive research to determine the scale of investment required in the UK to recycle up to 400,000 tonnes of post-consumer flexible plastic packaging by 2030. It will have a particular focus on achieving circularity for food-contact packaging (by recycling it back into food-contact packaging).

The project seeks to answer key questions for industry and policymakers, including:
• How much recycled flexible plastic might be needed by industry from 2030 onwards, and will supply meet demand?
• What types of recycling facilities (mechanical, chemical, or future technologies) may be needed in the UK, and at what capacity?
• What level of investment might be required to build this infrastructure?
• What are the costs and risks of continuing with ‘business as usual’ (using virgin plastics) and what conditions (mix of policies and incentives) may help to align the value chain to support UK recycling infrastructure investment?

Gareth Morton, Discovery Manager at Ecosurety and FPF lead, commented: “We’re delighted to build on the success of the FPF FlexCollect project and continue to work alongside experts in the industry to take flexible plastics recycling to the next level. FPF FlexCircular is about turning the proof of collections into a real, investable circular system. By understanding what the UK needs in terms of investment, infrastructure and policy, we can maximise the opportunity to recycle flexible plastics at scale, creating benefits for industry, consumers, and the environment alike.”

FPF Spokesperson, Richard Akkermans, R&D Packaging Sustainability Manager, Europe for Mondelez International commented:
“The FlexCircular project represents a pivotal moment for flexible packaging in the UK. We’ve proven that collection at scale is possible – the next opportunity is to close the loop by investing in the recycling infrastructure to match. For the Flexible Plastic Fund, achieving circularity for food-contact flexible plastics isn’t just an ambition, it’s a necessity. This research aims to provide the roadmap the value chain needs to invest in the UK with confidence and deliver positive environmental outcomes for the future.”
This project will report its findings towards the end of 2026.

RECOUP Strengthens Board Expertise with Two New Advisor Appointments

RECOUP is pleased to confirm the appointments of Professor Andrew Dove and Jon Brookes as new Advisors to the RECOUP Board, further strengthening the organisation’s plastic circularity leadership across academia, innovation and industry.

These appointments reflect RECOUP’s continued commitment to evidence-led progress and ensure that strong academic representation and real-world market insight are embedded at Board level during a critical period for the UK plastics and recycling sectors.

Professor Andrew Dove is a Professor of Sustainable Polymer Chemistry and Director of the Birmingham Plastics Network at the University of Birmingham. The Network is an interdisciplinary research community bringing together expertise from across science, engineering, social science and policy to shape a more sustainable future for plastics.

Andrew’s appointment underlines the strength of RECOUP’s relationships with academia, which have developed in recent years as cross disciplinary research, innovation and systems thinking become increasingly central to driving circularity. Academic representation on the Board ensures RECOUP continues to benefit directly from leading research and emerging innovation, particularly around polymer design and recyclability. This growing emphasis on innovation will also be reflected at RECOUP’s flagship event this year, where innovation will take on a more prominent role through the introduction of a dedicated Innovation Room showcasing new ideas, technologies and collaborative approaches across the value chain.

Jon Brookes, Chief Partnerships & Growth Officer at Ecosurety, joins the Board bringing extensive experience in producer responsibility, policy development and partnership-building across the packaging and recycling system. His appointment also reflects the strong and growing collaboration between RECOUP and Ecosurety, which has already delivered significant white paper into the challenges facing the UK recycling sector.

The research shows that current domestic reprocessing capacity stands at around 23% of what is required, with more than 200,000 tonnes of capacity lost since 2024 due to market volatility, policy uncertainty and rising operational costs. The report brings together industry insight, policy analysis and scenario modelling to outline both the risks facing the UK’s remaining reprocessors and a clear path forward. It also sets out targeted recommendations to Government aimed at stabilising and growing domestic capacity and supporting the UK’s transition toward a more circular plastics system.

Commenting on the appointments, Stuart Foster, CEO of RECOUP said:
“The Board is a critical part of RECOUP’s ongoing success. These appointments reflect our commitment to drive meaningful progress on plastics circularity. Strengthening our links with academia, innovation and industry collaboration is essential, and Andrew and Jon bring highly complementary perspectives that will support our strategic direction.”

RWM Connect:  CIWM and RWM to unite the resource sector with the industry’s ultimate networking event

RWM Connect 2026 will bring together professionals from across the resource, recycling and waste management sector for what is set to be the industry’s ultimate social and networking event, taking place on Wednesday 16 September at The Vox Conference Venue, Birmingham.

Held on the first evening of Resource & Waste Management Expo (RWM), part of the Environmental Services & Solutions Expo (ESS Expo), the event will combine the audiences of the former ESS Connect Party and the CIWM Gala Dinner into one unified evening, creating a single destination for the sector to come together.

With 900 professionals expected to attend, RWM Connect offers a rare opportunity to engage with a broad cross-section of the industry – from established leaders and major organisations to emerging voices and innovators – in one all-inclusive setting.

The first day of RWM consistently attracts strong representation from across the waste management & recycling sector, including a significant presence from CIWM members, and RWM Connect provides the platform to continue those conversations beyond the exhibition floor in a more informal and flexible environment.

Attendees can expect an evening designed to support a range of engagement styles, from high-energy conversations to more traditional networking, alongside a high-quality social experience. The event will feature complimentary drinks, food stations throughout the venue, and a programme of live entertainment including a band, DJ and interactive elements such as a casino and games.

The event reflects the continued evolution of networking within the sector, bringing together key industry audiences into a single, more inclusive format that encourages the collaboration, relationship-building and knowledge exchange – core principles shared by both CIWM and RWM Expo.

Commenting on the launch of RWM Connect, Rob Mowat, Managing Director of RWM Expo, said:
“RWM Connect brings the sector together in a way that reflects how the industry operates today – collaborative, connected and forward-looking. It’s about creating the right environment for those conversations to happen.”

Sarah Poulter, CEO of CIWM, said: “We are delighted to be expanding our long-standing partnership with RWM to co-host a brand-new networking event for CIWM members and RWM attendees this September. Former CIWM Gala Dinner attendees will know that some of the most valuable conversations often continue beyond the exhibition floor, and we look forward to creating a relaxed, informal setting where those connections, ideas and collaborations can flourish.”

Taking place at The Vox, located across from the NEC Birmingham, RWM Connect is positioned as a key moment within the wider resource calendar.

Event details:
• Date: Wednesday 16 September 2026
• Time: 7:00pm – late
• Location: The Vox Conference Venue, NEC Birmingham

Tickets:
• Individual tickets: £99 + VAT
• Team bundle (10 tickets): £900 + VAT
Spaces are limited and early booking is recommended.

For more information and to secure tickets, please click here.

Entries Open for the RECOUP Awards 2026

RECOUP is pleased to announce that entries are now open for the RECOUP Awards 2026, honouring the organisations and initiatives driving progress across plastics resource efficiency, recycling, and circularity. These awards highlight the cutting‑edge innovation, design excellence, and impactful projects shaping the future of plastics.

Entries for all award categories are FREE and remain open until 26 June 2026, offering businesses, community groups, and innovators the opportunity to showcase their work on a national platform.

Recognising Impact Across the Plastics Value Chain

The RECOUP Awards spotlight contributions spanning technology, design, packaging, community initiatives, and system‑wide change. Categories include:

• Best Innovation in Equipment or Technology – celebrating breakthroughs that enhance the collection, sorting, reprocessing, or reuse of plastics.
• Recycled Plastic Product of the Year – honouring products that champion recycled content and inspire circular design.
• Plastics Circularity Project of the Year – recognising projects that advance circularity through design, technology, community initiatives, or system improvements.
• Best Plastic Product Development for Recyclability or Re‑Use – highlighting design approaches that embed reuse or recyclability from the start.

A Premier Industry Event

The shortlist will be announced week commencing 10 August with winners announced at the RECOUP Awards & Networking Dinner on 30 September 2026 at the Holiday Inn Peterborough – West. The evening brings together leaders from across the plastics value chain for celebration, networking, and knowledge‑sharing.

Why Enter?

Entrants that get shortlisted benefit from:

• National recognition for excellence in plastics resource efficiency, recycling and circularity
• Increased visibility among policymakers, industry decision‑makers, recyclers, and innovators
• Opportunities to share success stories and inspire further progress across the sector

The awards form part of RECOUP’s ongoing mission to drive forward innovation, collaboration, and practical action that supports a circular plastics system.

How to Enter

Entries can be submitted via the RECOUP Awards page at: https://www.recoup.org/recoup-awards-2026/

Submission is FREE and open until 26 June 2026.

RECOUP Announces The RECOUP Plastics Assembly – A Solutions‑Driven Event for the Plastics Industry  

On 1 October 2026, RECOUP will hold The RECOUP Plastics Assembly in Peterborough.

Created to accelerate practical progress, this one day event is designed for professionals who want to drive real change, connect with peers, and gain fresh insight into the solutions shaping tomorrow’s circular plastics system.

Why Attend?

Attendees will gain:

• Direct insight into current and emerging priorities in design, infrastructure, behaviour and policy
• Deep dives into the issues shaping the next decade
• Fresh thinking on circular design, materials, and infrastructure
• PLUS: First‑hand access to innovation powering the future at the Innovation Room. A dedicated space where start‑ups, researchers and universities will showcase cutting‑edge materials, technologies and processes driving circularity.

A High‑Impact Programme

Attendees can choose one session from each of the following groups:

Morning session 1

• Designing Plastic Products for a Circular Future
• Recycling Infrastructure for Circular Plastics
• Who Drives Circular Behaviour? Rethinking Responsibility

Morning session 2

• The Future of Materials: Sustainable Plastics, Plastic Alternatives, Composites & Beyond
• Stopping Plastic Pollution: Tackling Litter, Leakage & Waste Crime
• The Policy Landscape

A Catalyst for Industry Transformation

By bringing together designers, recyclers, policymakers, sustainability professionals, innovators and researchers, The RECOUP Assembly is a flagship event for cross‑sector collaboration and forward‑thinking strategy.

If your organisation is preparing for what’s next in plastics, this is the room you need to be in.

Event Details

Date: 1 October 2026

Time: 09:00–16:00

Venue: Holiday Inn Peterborough – West

Book Now

Industry Leaders Unite at The RECOUP Summit to Shape the Future of Circular Plastics

The 2026 RECOUP Summit, sponsored by WRAP and Ecosurety, held on the 4 March in Leeds, brought together delegates from across the plastics, packaging, recycling, retail, manufacturing and policy sectors to explore the challenge of future advancements for the plastics circular economy.

A key theme was how the UK’s recycling system must adapt to reflect modern material flows. ReallyRecycle outlined a future where decentralised micromanufacturing hubs turn waste into new products locally, while Enviroo highlighted the current mismatch between supply and demand for recycled content, and the need for greater domestic processing capacity and more stable market conditions.

The role of AI, data and transparency was also emphasised. Polytag demonstrated how tracking packaging through digital markers can provide real-world insight into what happens to materials after use, supporting better design, clearer policy, and more effective recycling and reuse systems. Organisations including Sherbourne Recycling and Greyparrot highlighted how intelligent sorting and real-time data are improving material quality and enabling recovery of more challenging waste streams, while Cauli demonstrated how similar technologies are being applied to scale reuse systems.

Alongside system-level discussions, the summit showcased emerging material innovations. Developments from Woodly, Pulpex, and ReZorce demonstrated how packaging is evolving to balance performance with environmental impact from biobased plastics and fibre-based bottles to high-performance barrier materials designed with circularity in mind.

The summit concluded with a panel chaired by WRAP, featuring Borealis, Reconomy, Asda, Pepsico and IPL Brightgreen, reinforcing that no single solution will deliver circularity. Instead, progress will depend on collaboration across the value chain, supported by aligned policy, investment in infrastructure, and continued innovation.

The RECOUP Summit demonstrated that the transition to a circular economy is already underway, with innovation happening across materials, systems and infrastructure. The challenge now is to scale these solutions, align policy and investment, and ensure they work together to deliver meaningful, long-term impact.

For more information about RECOUP, visit www.recoup.org

Four out of five English local authorities without kerbside plastic film recycling collection are gearing up to launch it by 31st March 2027

Plastic resource efficiency and recycling charity RECOUP has published its annual UK Household Plastic Packaging Collection Survey, revealing that, of the English local authorities not yet offering kerbside flexible plastic packaging collections, four in five (78%) plan to do so on or before the Simpler Recycling deadline of the 31^st March 2027.

However, many appear to be leaving it late. Two thirds (67%) expect to introduce the service in early 2027, with almost half (47%) targeting the deadline day itself. Meanwhile, one in five (22%) say they do not intend to have a service in place by the required date.

Across the UK, progress to capture plastic film material remains slow. As of April 2025, only 16% of local authorities tell residents they can recycle plastic films at kerbside, a modest 2% rise on the previous year. All but one of the new adopters are in England, suggesting the change has been driven largely by upcoming legislative requirements. In 2024, just 31,000 tonnes of plastic film was estimated to be collected for recycling out of 420,500 tonnes Placed on the Market, equating to a 7% collection rate.

While initiatives such as the FlexCollect project demonstrate that collecting and sorting flexible plastics can work, a lack of economically viable recycling end markets remains a critical barrier. The 2025 RECOUP Survey shows 60% of local authorities not currently collecting plastic films and flexibles have little confidence they can find end markets, and even 29% of those already offering kerbside collections share this concern. Stable and scalable end markets are an essential part of providing a cost effective collection service.

The recycling, or reprocessing, sector is also feeling intense commercial pressure. UK recyclers are struggling to compete with low-cost imports of virgin packaging and unverified recycled-content packaging, produced in countries with far lower operating costs. Addressing this imbalance, as well as making the UK a competitive, attractive location for recycling investment, remains a complex challenge.

The report highlights positive movement elsewhere. Kerbside collections of plastic pots, tubs and trays have seen a significant 4% increase, with 93% of local authorities offering this service. This is again likely influenced by Simpler Recycling in England legislation mandating their collection by 31^st March 2026, however, the report found that 8% of English local authorities were still not collecting these formats. 100% of UK local authorities continue to collect plastic bottles, a milestone first reached in 2019.

Local authorities are making significant efforts to communicate changes to their citizens. 83% plan to run waste or recycling communication campaigns between mid-2025 and April 2026 with information regarding changes linked to the Simpler Recycling reforms being one of the most common themes, alongside introduction of a new service, and reducing contamination. Significant inconsistency remains in messaging, including around asking for lids to be on or off bottles, packaging to be empty, rinsed, washed, flattened or squashed. Clear and consistent messaging remains essential in order to maximise material capture and ensure suitability for reprocessing.

Steve Morgan reflected: “The relatively quick transition to collecting and recycling flexible plastic packaging is the most significant change for household recycling kerbside collections since they began in the 1990’s. Sourcing commercially viable recycling end markets is essential, and although packaging EPR does not financially support end markets, they need to be an integral consideration for both PackUK and local authorities. Alongside end markets, improving material quality and effective consumer communication are both key to successful recycling services, and RECOUP will continue to be active to support local authorities and service providers to deliver these initiatives.”.

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.