RECOUP Launches Recyclability by Design 2026

Updated guidance helps packaging professionals design for recyclability and prepare for a changing regulatory landscape.

RECOUP has launched the latest edition of its flagship guide, Recyclability by Design 2026 v12.0, marking 20 years of supporting better plastic packaging design and recycling outcomes.

The updated guidance provides practical, evidence-based recommendations to help packaging designers, specifiers, brands and retailers maximise recyclability, reduce unnecessary complexity and support the transition to a circular economy. It also reflects the evolving UK policy landscape, including the implementation of the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) and future modulated packaging fees.

Developed in consultation with experts from across the plastics and recycling value chain, the guide offers detailed design recommendations covering materials, colours, labels, closures, sleeves and other packaging components, helping businesses make informed decisions that align with current recycling infrastructure.

Whether you’re developing new packaging formats or reviewing existing portfolios, Recyclability by Design 2026 is an essential resource for designing packaging that works within today’s recycling systems.

Download your free copy today: https://www.recoup.org/research-and-reports/recoup-recyclability-by-design-2026/

RECOUP Plastics Assembly Highlights the Power of Collaboration in Driving Circularity

The RECOUP Plastics Assembly 2026 brought together industry leaders, policymakers, academics and sustainability experts to explore the practical actions needed to accelerate the transition to a circular plastics economy.

Through a programme of expert-led panel discussions, delegates examined the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of plastics, from designing products for circularity and investing in recycling infrastructure to enabling sustainable consumer behaviours, tackling plastic pollution, advancing material innovation and navigating an evolving policy landscape.

While discussions covered a diverse range of topics, a clear message emerged throughout the day: achieving a circular plastics economy will require greater collaboration across the entire value chain, supported by investment, innovation and policy certainty.

“One of the most rewarding parts of organising the Assembly was seeing the conversations that happened throughout the day. From the conference sessions to informal networking, there was a genuine sense of people wanting to learn from each other and explore practical ways to drive progress. That’s exactly what the event is designed to achieve.”

Rebecca Davis, Membership and Events Manager, RECOUP

The event provided a valuable platform for sharing expertise, challenging perspectives and identifying practical solutions that can help keep plastics in use for longer and maximise their value as a resource.

Adrian Whyle, Vice Chair, RECOUP, added:

“At RECOUP, we’re dedicated to driving real change in the way communities approach recycling and sustainability. Our recent Assembly in Peterborough was a fantastic example of collaboration and innovation, bringing together representatives from industry, academia and government to share ideas and explore solutions. The event highlighted the importance of working together to tackle challenges and accelerate progress towards a more circular future, and we’re excited to build on that momentum in the months ahead.”

A full write-up of the discussions, key insights and session highlights is now available on the RECOUP website.

Read the full event summary

RECOUP Plastics Assembly 2026: Key Discussions and Insights

The RECOUP Plastics Assembly 2026 brought together experts from across industry, government, academia and the resource management sector to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of plastics circularity.

Across six panel discussions and a closing solutions session, delegates examined the practical actions needed to accelerate progress towards a circular plastics economy. While topics ranged from product design and recycling infrastructure to innovation, policy and consumer behaviour, a consistent message emerged throughout the day: collaboration is essential to delivering meaningful change.

Designing Plastic Products for a Circular Future

The opening session explored how design decisions influence a product’s environmental impact throughout its lifecycle. Discussions focused on designing for durability, reuse and recyclability, while recognising the need to balance sustainability ambitions with performance, practicality and cost. A recurring theme was that circularity cannot be achieved through recycling alone. Instead, products must be designed with their entire lifecycle in mind, helping to retain material value and reduce waste from the outset.

Recycling Infrastructure for Circular Plastics

Panellists considered whether current recycling systems are equipped to support future circular economy ambitions. The discussion highlighted the importance of investment, collection systems, sorting and processing capacity, alongside the need to develop strong markets for recycled materials. The session reinforced that infrastructure remains a critical enabler of circularity. While progress continues across the sector, long-term confidence, investment and supportive policy frameworks will be essential to unlocking further improvements.

Who Drives Circular Behaviour?

This session examined the factors influencing consumer behaviour and the balance between individual responsibility and systemic change. Discussions highlighted the role that affordability, accessibility and convenience play in encouraging participation in circular systems. While consumers have an important role to play, speakers recognised that sustainable choices are more likely to be adopted when supported by clear communication, effective infrastructure and practical alternatives that fit into everyday life.

The Future of Materials

Discussion focused on emerging materials, new technologies and innovation across the plastics sector. Panellists explored the opportunities presented by material developments and advanced recycling technologies, while also considering the challenges associated with commercial adoption and scalability. The conversation highlighted the importance of taking a whole-system approach to innovation, ensuring that new solutions can deliver genuine environmental benefits and integrate effectively within existing collection, processing and recovery systems.

Stopping Plastic Pollution

The panel explored the causes of plastic leakage into the environment and the actions needed to prevent it. Discussions considered the links between waste crime, litter, infrastructure challenges and public behaviour, highlighting the complexity of the issue. Prevention emerged as a central theme, alongside the need for effective waste management, education and collaboration to keep valuable materials within the circular economy and out of the environment.

The Policy Landscape

This session considered the role of regulation in driving circularity and supporting investment across the plastics value chain. Discussions explored both the opportunities and challenges associated with an evolving policy landscape. A key theme was the importance of clear and consistent policy that enables organisations to plan, invest and innovate with confidence. Panellists recognised that effective regulation can be a powerful driver of change when supported by realistic implementation and long-term certainty.

Solutions for a Circular Economy

The closing discussion brought together the themes from across the day, focusing on practical examples of circularity in action. Speakers highlighted progress already being made through collaboration, innovation and investment, while acknowledging that significant challenges remain. The session reinforced the importance of sharing knowledge, learning from successful initiatives and taking a joined-up approach to delivering circular solutions at scale.

Themes Emerging from the Assembly

While discussions covered a diverse range of topics, several common themes emerged throughout the day:

• Circularity starts long before a product reaches end of life, with design decisions influencing everything from material use and product lifespan to recyclability and reuse.
• Infrastructure remains a critical enabler of circularity, but investment depends on clear policy direction, consistent material supply and strong end markets for recycled materials.
• Innovation must be viewed through a whole-system lens, ensuring that new materials and technologies can work effectively within collection, sorting and recycling systems.
• Behaviour change is most effective when sustainable choices are accessible, affordable and convenient, with responsibility shared across industry, government and consumers.
• Preventing plastic pollution requires coordinated action across the value chain, from product design and resource management to enforcement and public engagement.
• Policy certainty plays a vital role in supporting investment and long-term planning, helping organisations make decisions with confidence.
• Collaboration remains the common thread linking successful circular economy initiatives, with meaningful progress dependent on organisations working together across the plastics value chain.

Looking Ahead

The discussions throughout the Assembly highlighted both the complexity of the challenges facing the plastics sector and the opportunities available to drive positive change. While perspectives varied across sessions, there was a shared recognition that achieving a circular plastics economy will require long-term commitment, collaboration and practical action.

The RECOUP Plastics Assembly provided a valuable platform to share knowledge, challenge thinking and explore solutions. As the sector continues to evolve, the conversations throughout the day demonstrated a collective willingness to work together to accelerate progress and deliver lasting change.

Shaping the Future of Plastics: 2026 RECOUP Award Winners Announced

This year’s RECOUP Awards celebrated the outstanding achievements, innovation and collaboration taking place across the plastics value chain in re-use, recycling and resource efficiency.

Held on 30 September 2026, the awards brought together industry leaders, innovators and sustainability champions to recognise the organisations and individuals driving positive change within the plastics and recycling sector. With strong participation across all categories, the awards showcased the breadth of talent, commitment and ingenuity helping to advance plastics circularity throughout the UK.

Adding to the sustainability credentials of the event, the 2026 RECOUP Awards themselves were designed and manufactured by Future Makers UK. These bespoke trophies feature Marble Carpet, a recycled polypropylene sheet material with a distinctive marbled finish, made from recovered packaging and event flooring.

Developed and manufactured in Nottingham, Marble Carpet combines post-industrial and post-consumer recycled polypropylene into a durable, refined surface, demonstrating how recovered plastics can be transformed into high-value materials for design and manufacture.

Inspired by RECOUP’s branding, the awards transform recovered material into a lasting recognition of excellence, reflecting the principles of circularity, innovation and resource efficiency celebrated by the awards themselves.

The 2026 RECOUP Award winners are:

Best Innovation in Equipment or Technology: Greyparrot – Deepnest by Greyparrot

Recycled Plastic Product of the Year: Klöckner Pentaplast – kp Elite® Nova

Plastics Circularity Project of the Year: WRAP – The UK Plastics Pact

Best Plastic Product Development for Recyclability or Re-Use: Klöckner Pentaplast – kp Elite® Nova

RECOUP Award of Recognition: Sherbourne Recycling

Each of this year’s winners has demonstrated exceptional leadership, innovation and dedication to creating practical solutions that support a more circular plastics system. Their achievements highlight the progress being made across the sector and provide inspiration for future developments in sustainable plastics management.

Commenting on the awards, Stuart Foster, CEO of RECOUP, said:

“The RECOUP Awards continue to showcase the innovation, commitment and expertise that exists across the plastics value chain. Every year we are inspired by the quality of entries and the determination of organisations and individuals working to create a more resource-efficient and circular future for plastics. Congratulations to all our winners and finalists, whose achievements demonstrate the positive impact that collaboration, creativity and ambition can deliver.”

RECOUP would like to thank all those who submitted entries, along with the judges, sponsors and attendees who contributed to the success of this year’s awards. The calibre of entries received reflects the continued progress being made across the sector and reinforces the importance of recognising and celebrating best practice.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists. Through innovation, collaboration and leadership, they are helping to shape a more sustainable future for plastics.

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.”