FlexCollect proves flexible plastic collection is possible

On Monday, 1 September 2025, the Flexible Plastic Fund (FPF) launched its FlexCollect report, which includes a blueprint for future collections and recycling of flexible plastic packaging (FPP).

Founded by Ecosurety, the FPF brings together a unique coalition of retailers, recyclers and manufacturers and intends to improve post-consumer flexible plastic collection and recycling to reduce plastic pollution.

Over the past three years, the FPF has been running the FlexCollect trials; trialling kerbside collection of flexible plastic across 10 pilot local authorities and 160,000 households. The project was the largest of its kind in the UK, collecting over 400 tonnes of FPP - the equivalent of over 50 million bread bags.

The FlexCollect report consolidates findings from three years of collections and sets out a clear blueprint for adding FPP to existing household recycling - showing that FPP can be effectively collected across all service types, sorted through existing facilities and achieve high recovery rates with end markets for the recycled material. 

The FPF partners - representatives from renowned UK consumer goods’ manufacturers supporting the FlexCollect project

Why is the report important?

This landmark project provides essential data insights and practical guidance ahead of the roll out of mandatory flexible plastic collections from 2027. The report is essential reading for government, local authorities, the waste management and recycling industries, and plastic reprocessors.

Reflecting its significance, the report was launched at the Houses of Parliament, at an event sponsored by Amanda Hack MP, Member of Parliament for North West Leicestershire and attended by Mary Creagh CBE MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Nature) at DEFRA. It marks a milestone moment in tackling one of the country’s biggest recycling challenges.

Amanda Hack MP commented:

Mary Creagh CBE MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State (Minister for Nature) at DEFRA

Mary Creagh CBE MP said:

What are the key learnings from the FlexCollect report?

Collections are easy to implement: FPP can be effectively collected across all service types with minimal to no disruption using dedicated bags or in some instances, loose combined with other recyclable materials.
There is strong public support and participation: The scheme proved popular with residents, achieving an impressive 89% satisfaction rate amongst surveyed householders. 
High-quality material was collected: Nearly 90% of the collected material (including collection bags) was target material and it was very clean - demonstrating good sorting behaviour and low contamination. 
Minimal disruption to sorting facilities: All participating Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) successfully accepted and processed the FPP, with little to no impact on their existing operations. Modifications, where necessary, were relatively straightforward to implement.
Collection and sorting are low-cost for local authorities: Collection costs range between £1.96 to £3.14 per household, per year, whilst sorting costs are between £0.17 and £0.64 per household, per year.
High recovery rates: Recycling end markets achieved recovery rates of around 80% when recycled to new flakes or pellets and up to 100% when recycled into plastic timber products. 
Reliable data: Local authorities and waste management companies can confidently use the data in the report and blueprint to plan and implement new collection services.
Data suggests more than 150,000 tonnes of FPP could be collected annually once Simpler Recycling is fully implemented from 2027.

What’s next?

There is currently insufficient recycling capacity for the future demand from 2027, but planned or in development facilities, combined with potential spare capacity in European facilities, will go a significant way to meet future demand.

While high recovery rates can be achieved in the UK, there is a clear recycling infrastructure challenge. The report proves that the groundwork is already in place - collection and sorting are feasible, and public participation is strong. The blueprint provides a clear signal to accelerate investment in UK-based reprocessing capacity and develop robust end markets for recycled flexible plastic packaging. 

The FPF intends to continue its work on FPP by undertaking in-depth research into the recycling of this material to support the transition to a truly circular system, where FPP is turned back into high-value products. 

The 2025 FPF FlexCollect report, including its blueprint, the executive summary and the key insights from the 3-year project are available to download on the FPF website. 

Find out more about the FlexCollect findings

The UK’s leading ‘Flexperts’ from Ecosurety, SUEZ, LARAC, RECOUP and WRAP are speaking at industry events and running a series of webinars for key industry stakeholders.

As the UK moves towards Simpler Recycling, these sessions will explore the implications of the project’s findings and what they mean for the future of collection, sortation and reprocessing of flexible plastic packaging. Don’t miss this opportunity to hear from the experts at the forefront of shaping recycling policy and practice.  

A full list of upcoming events can be found on the FPF website: https://flexibleplasticfund.org.uk/flexcollect-events