RECOUP to Lead Real-World Testing for BB Reg Net Phase 2 Project – Support Us

RECOUP has partnered with the Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA) and a consortium of industry, academic and policy stakeholders to deliver Phase 2 of the BB Reg Net project, funded through UK Research and Innovation’s Regulatory Science and Innovation Networks programme.

As part of the project, RECOUP is leading Work Package 3.1, which will generate practical evidence on how biobased and biodegradable packaging performs within existing UK collection, sorting and treatment systems. The work aims to address current knowledge gaps and support evidence-based decision making around the management of these materials at end of life.

The trials will track a range of biobased and biodegradable packaging formats through the UK’s waste management system, from kerbside collection and sorting through to recycling, composting, anaerobic digestion and residual waste treatment where appropriate. Initial testing will focus on collection compatibility, contamination risks and sorting performance, while also identifying opportunities for infrastructure improvements, investment and innovation.

With increasing interest in alternative materials as part of the transition towards a circular economy, there remains uncertainty regarding how these materials interact with existing collection and processing infrastructure. The project will help establish whether they can be effectively collected, sorted and managed alongside conventional packaging streams without negatively impacting recycling performance or material quality.

During the planning phase, RECOUP is seeking packaging samples that represent biobased and biodegradable formats currently available on the market or planned for future launch. Evidence generated from the trials will support the assessment of end-of-life pathways and determine whether viable collection and treatment routes exist through conventional kerbside services for residual waste, mixed recycling, food waste and garden waste.

This work forms part of BB Reg Net’s wider second phase, which will run for 18 months and build on previous research investigating the regulatory and policy challenges facing the bio-based sector. The programme will develop additional evidence and practical tools covering end-of-life management, standards, life-cycle assessment and public procurement.

The consortium includes BBIA, the University of Sheffield, the Biorenewables Development Centre, RECOUP, the British Standards Institution, Alder BioInsights, Perspective Economics, Twig Bio and Resource Media.

RECOUP is currently seeking organisations that can provide packaging samples, testing locations, operational expertise or market insight to support the project. To discuss potential involvement, please contact Richard Cham richard.cham@recoup.org.