UK plastic packaging recycling infrastructure: Recommendations for circularity

A pivotal moment - but a huge opportunity 

Our new white paper, created in partnership with RECOUP, reveals that the UK is at a critical turning point for plastic packaging recycling – with current operational reprocessing capacity only covering around 23% of what is needed to recycle all plastic packaging placed on the market.

The white paper – ‘UK plastic packaging recycling infrastructure: Recommendations for circularity’ - provides a comprehensive evidence base to date on the state of UK plastics reprocessing, including input from industry, analysis of UK and global policy, and scenario modelling.

The research confirms that without intervention, the UK risks losing the majority of its remaining plastic reprocessing infrastructure by 2030. Over 200,000 tonnes of capacity has already been lost since 2024 due to volatile markets, policy uncertainty and high operational costs. 

Yet the paper is fundamentally optimistic. While there are some critical risks identified in this white paper, there is also hope driven by the recommendations. With targeted interventions, the country can secure a thriving domestic reprocessing sector and lead the transition to a circular plastics economy. We, as an industry and in partnership with Government, can change the current narrative and deliver a brighter future for people and the planet.

Robbie Staniforth
Chief Policy & Impact Officer