Defra Requests Interest in New Plastic Film Forum

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) announced in July 2026 that the mandatory collection of plastic film in England will be deferred to 1 April 2030.

In order to begin to address the barriers and opportunities Defra are planning to launch a Plastic Film Forum to bring together stakeholders from across government and industry to form working groups. The groups will require membership in order to enable productive discussions, timely decision-making and effective collaboration.

Members will be chosen to reflect a diverse range of experience and perspectives from across the plastics recycling value chain, including local authorities, waste management, producers, retailer and reprocessors, as well as the devolved administrations and other government departments.

RECOUP will be requesting to be part of this, and if you wish to be involved you can register your interest by emailing an outline of who you represent and your reason for requesting participation to recycling@defra.gov.uk.