The government has confirmed that the introduction of mandatory kerbside collections for plastic films and flexible packaging in England has been postponed until 1 April 2030.

Under the original Simpler Recycling regulations, councils were due to begin collecting these materials from households by 31 March 2027.

However, following ongoing concerns about the availability of processing infrastructure and viable end markets, Defra has delayed the requirement by three years.

The department announced the change last week, with updates to the Simpler Recycling regulations expected to be made during the next parliamentary session.

The postponed requirement covers a range of commonly used flexible plastic packaging, including crisp packets, bread bags and reusable shopping bags.

Gareth Rollings, Chair of the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC), said: "LARAC welcomes the Government's intention to move the mandatory collection date for plastic films and flexibles to 1 April 2030.

"This reflects the concerns that our members have consistently raised about the readiness of the wider system and the financial and operational consequences for local authorities.

"The additional three years must now be used constructively by government and industry to build that infrastructure and provide local authorities with the clarity they need to plan."

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The challenge of flexible packaging

Flexible packaging is often made from multiple polymers – including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), PET and others – combined with inks, adhesives and barrier layers such as aluminium.

These multi-material structures deliver performance benefits but complicate both mechanical and chemical recycling.

At the same time, recycled flexible plastics struggle to compete with virgin polymer produced in large-scale, highly optimised facilities. Recycling plants tend to operate at far smaller scale, with higher costs and less mature technology.

The FlexCollect programme, which concluded in September 2025, found that although collections could be successfully introduced, the UK still lacks enough recycling and reprocessing capacity to deal with the volumes expected once mandatory collections are rolled out nationwide.

The Flexible Plastic Fund (FPF) unveiled its FlexCollect report at the UK Parliament this week (1 September 2025), with encouraging results for flexible plastic packaging.

The report draws together insights from more than three years of trials, offering a blueprint for rolling out kerbside collections of items such as bread bags, crisp packets and other plastic film.

Over the course of the initiative, 10 pilot councils covering around 160,000 households took part in the trial.

Together, they collected over 400 tonnes of flexible plastics – equivalent to more than 50 million bread bags.

It was formally launched at the Houses of Parliament, at an event hosted by Amanda Hack MP and attended by Mary Creagh CBE MP, Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State at Defra.

These findings arrive ahead of the government’s Simpler Recycling reforms, which will make flexible plastics collections mandatory from 2027.

Key Results From The Trials

The report concludes that flexible plastics can be “effectively collected” across a range of service types, with minimal disruption to existing operations. Trials tested both dedicated bags and mixed-collection approaches.

Close to 90% of the material collected was target packaging, with contamination levels remaining low. The quality of material was considered “very clean”, reflecting positive household sorting behaviours.

Recycling outcomes were also promising, with recovery rates of around 80% when reprocessed into flakes or pellets, and up to 100% for applications such as plastic timber.

The trials revealed little effect on local authority collection rounds. Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) involved in the programme successfully integrated the material without significant operational changes, though in some cases minor upgrades – such as adding bays or conveyors – were required.

Next Steps for the Flexible Plastic Fund

Looking ahead, the report highlights a shortfall in UK recycling infrastructure to meet the anticipated 2027 demand.

However, with around 100,000 tonnes of new or planned domestic facilities, along with spare European processing capacity, much of this gap could be bridged.

The blueprint calls for accelerated investment in UK reprocessing plants and the development of reliable end markets for recycled film products.

The FPF confirmed it will continue building on the success of FlexCollect by conducting deeper research into recycling systems for flexible plastics.

The project was supported by FPF members, including Mars UK, Mondelēz International, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Unilever and a wide range of food and FMCG brands, alongside funding from Defra, Innovate UK and other partners.

A new report by Eunomia Research and Consulting highlights that significant reductions in plastic production and emissions are crucial for the plastics industry to align with the 1.5°C climate target set under the Paris Agreement. Commissioned by the Environmental Investigation Agency, the report was launched today at COP29 in Baku.

The analysis evaluates the proposed 40% reduction in plastic production by 2040, put forward by Rwanda and Peru during earlier treaty negotiations. The findings reveal that even with this target, the plastics sector would overshoot its 1.5°C carbon budget by 40%, unless accompanied by aggressive decarbonisation and increased recycling.

Currently, plastic production generates four times the greenhouse gas emissions of the aviation industry but remains largely absent from climate negotiations. Eunomia modelled scenarios comparing business-as-usual growth with reduced demand. It found that without immediate changes, the sector's emissions trajectory could exceed a 1.5°C carbon budget by 360%.

Key findings include:

• Achieving the 40×40 target requires a 63% global recycling rate.
• Coupled with at least a 35% demand reduction and decarbonisation, the target could align with a <1.7°C carbon budget, still falling short of the 1.5°C goal.
• Delaying action beyond 2025 would jeopardise reduction efforts.

Christina Dixon of the Environmental Investigation Agency stated, “This report underscores the urgency for ambition and political will. The gap between what is achievable and what is required to prevent climate catastrophe is vast. The time to peak plastic production is now.”

Simon Hann, the report’s author, emphasised, “A reduction in primary plastics production is pivotal to bridging the gap between current trajectories and necessary targets.”

The findings add weight to calls for stronger measures in the forthcoming Global Plastics Treaty [Defra Hosts Plastics Treaty Talks 08.11.2024].

On 6 November 2024, the UK Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) held a key roundtable ahead of the final negotiations (INC-5) for the Global Plastics Treaty, set to take place in Busan, South Korea. The treaty aims to establish a legally binding agreement to eliminate plastic pollution by 2040.

Chaired by Environment Secretary Steve Reed and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, the roundtable gathered businesses across the plastics value chain to address critical elements for inclusion in the treaty. Discussions emphasised the need to address the entire lifecycle of plastics. Participants signed a statement urging for an “ambitious and effective” treaty.

Notable signatories include Tesco, Nestlé, Unilever, Mars, and Waitrose. Organisations interested in endorsing the statement can do so until INC-5 begins on 25 November 2024.

The treaty negotiations follow concerns raised after the April 2024 discussions, which Greenpeace criticised for yielding to fossil fuel and petrochemical industry influence. The INC-5 meeting is viewed as a decisive opportunity to set actionable global standards.

Harriet Lamb, CEO of WRAP, highlighted the urgency of addressing the world’s escalating plastic crisis. "Every year, over 141 million tonnes of plastic packaging are produced. Much of it ends up in landfills, incinerators, or as environmental pollution," Lamb said. Without action, she warned, 30 million tonnes of plastic waste could enter the environment annually by 2040.

Lamb called for INC-5 to deliver “high ambition and actionable strategies” to curb plastic dependency. She stressed the treaty's importance in tackling the pervasive pollution affecting air, water, soil, and even human health, urging businesses and governments to commit to enforceable measures.

INC-5 represents a pivotal moment in global efforts to end the plastic crisis

In its first Autumn Budget, the new Labour government introduced key policies for the waste and sustainability sectors. Notable announcements include adjustments to the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) and support for carbon capture, alongside measures aimed at fostering a circular economy.

Mass Balance Approach for Recycled Plastic

In a major development, businesses can now employ a mass balance approach to verify the recycled content in chemically recycled plastic for the PPT. This change, welcomed by industry leaders, encourages investment in advanced chemical recycling and expands markets for recycled content. The British Plastics Federation had advocated for this approach, emphasising that it would drive innovation in recycling practices. Jim Bligh from the Food and Drink Federation praised the policy shift as a critical step in promoting a circular economy, noting that it would create green jobs and stimulate the recycled content market within food-grade packaging.

Increased Funding for Carbon Capture and Green Hydrogen

The budget includes £3.9 billion earmarked for carbon capture and green hydrogen projects across the UK, with 11 commercial-scale projects slated to receive funding. These projects, to be launched in 2025-26, span England, Scotland, and Wales and are intended to propel the UK to the forefront of carbon capture technology. Dave Richardson of the North West Hydrogen Alliance noted the significance of the funding for decarbonising industries and safeguarding thousands of jobs. This support follows a previous announcement of £21.7 billion for Teesside and Merseyside projects, reinforcing the government’s commitment to making the UK a leader in clean energy technology.

Commitment to a Zero-Waste Economy

Further budget details affirm the government’s intent to advance a zero-waste economy through the Collection and Packaging Reforms Programme. The extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme, expected to generate £1.1 billion annually, will fund improvements in recycling rates. To ensure this revenue target is met, the government has promised a contingency fund to make up any shortfall.

Landfill Tax

The Labour government confirmed that Landfill Tax rates will align with adjustments announced earlier by the previous administration. Starting in April 2025, the standard rate will increase to £126.15 per tonne, with a lower rate of £4.05. These increases are aimed at maintaining the tax's real-term value to discourage landfill use.

Industry Reactions

Industry leaders voiced concerns over the budget’s scope. Dr Adam Read of Suez Recycling and Recovery UK appreciated the investment in infrastructure and green hydrogen but criticised the limited focus on the waste sector, noting missed opportunities to support the zero-waste transition. Biffa CEO Michael Topham similarly expressed disappointment, calling for a progressive PPT rate and incentives for decarbonising commercial vehicles. James Rigg of Trojan Electronics also highlighted the absence of VAT relief on repair services, stressing that lower repair costs could encourage sustainable consumer behaviour.

While the budget is viewed as a step toward a greener economy, industry leaders remain hopeful that future policies will provide further support for waste reduction, recycling reforms, and affordable repair services.

Recent research by DS Smith has revealed that over half of food and drink items sold in UK supermarkets are wrapped in plastic that could be avoided. The study, named The Material Change Index, examined packaging trends across 25 leading supermarkets in six European countries, including the UK, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and Poland.

The investigation covered 1,500 grocery products and found that approximately 29.8 billion pieces of plastic packaging are produced annually in the UK alone, much of which is deemed avoidable. Processed foods, bread, rice, cereals, dairy, and meat products were the most significant contributors to plastic waste.

The UK was identified as the largest user of plastic packaging among the countries studied, with 70% of all food and drink products containing plastic. This figure was notably higher than other countries, such as Spain (67%), Italy (66%), Germany (66%), Poland (62%), and France (59%).

Challenges in Reducing Plastic Use

The research included a survey of European food manufacturers and retailers to assess barriers to reducing plastic packaging. Findings indicated that 98% of these businesses have set targets for cutting back on plastic use, with 60% of them having two years or less to achieve these goals. However, only 25% of this group felt confident about meeting their targets.

The primary obstacles identified were the cost of alternative materials and the fear that consumers would reject changes to packaging. Cost was highlighted by 40% of respondents as the greatest challenge, followed by consumer resistance, with 39% concerned that shoppers would not support changes in packaging. Additionally, 72% believed consumers would be unwilling to pay more for sustainable packaging, and 65% feared customers would resist sacrificing convenience for more eco-friendly options.

Government Support and Industry Leadership

DS Smith’s group chief executive, Miles Roberts, emphasised the need for government intervention to accelerate the reduction of plastic packaging. Roberts stated, “Good progress has been made, but there is evidently a great deal more to do. We think government can and should be more demanding of us all – phasing out certain plastics to create a level playing field that encourages innovation and investment.”

DS Smith has reportedly removed over 1 billion pieces of plastic from the supply chain in the last four years. However, Roberts believes this is only the beginning and that meeting consumer demand for sustainable packaging offers a major opportunity. The upcoming Circular Economy Strategy, he added, could be crucial in supporting the widespread use of recyclable materials in the UK.

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You can view our previous story, "BPF Unveils New Hub for Advancing the UK Plastics Industry [09.09.2024]".

The government has announced plans to release its response to the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) consultation by the end of this year. This announcement follows three Parliamentary Questions posed by Wera Hobhouse MP, the former Liberal Democrat spokesperson for energy and climate change, concerning chemical recycling. Hobhouse has been collaborating with the British Plastics Federation (BPF) to clarify the government’s stance on this policy area.

The PPT consultation, which ran for 12 weeks from 18 July to 10 October 2023, aimed to gather insights on applying a mass balance approach to assess the amount of chemically recycled plastic in packaging for tax purposes. It also sought opinions on the necessary controls and standards to ensure the integrity of the tax.

The government's responses to Hobhouse’s inquiries indicate that it views chemical recycling technologies as integral, alongside mechanical recycling, in facilitating the UK’s transition towards a circular economy. This approach aims to reduce the reliance on virgin plastic in production processes. Additionally, the government believes that initiatives like the PPT are essential for fostering innovation, growth, and employment within the waste management and recycling sectors, particularly in the realm of chemical recycling.

The BPF has expressed its commitment to working closely with politicians and stakeholders on chemical recycling to secure a beneficial outcome for the UK plastics industry. Following the election of Select Committee chairs, the BPF intends to write to all relevant chairs to request meetings after Parliament reconvenes on 7 October 2024, following the Party Conference season.

These developments signify an ongoing effort by the government and industry stakeholders to enhance recycling practices and promote sustainable use of plastic materials in the UK, as the consultation findings are anticipated to shape future policy directions.

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You can see our previous article on the British Plastics Federation here, "BPF Unveils New Hub for Advancing the UK Plastics Industry".

The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has launched an innovative new hub aimed at enhancing the UK plastics industry by improving efficiency and promoting best practices in a “technology-driven factory of the future.”

Entitled "Productivity Redefined", this hub is the result of two years of collaboration among industry stakeholders and is underpinned by peer-reviewed expertise. It offers a series of guides that are available for free download to all BPF members. The BPF describes this initiative as “an all-inclusive hub created by the BPF’s Productivity Committee to assist companies in the plastics sector in tackling key productivity challenges.”

The initial release of guides marks the beginning of a series of interconnected documents that will explore various themes related to manufacturing operations within the plastics industry. The first edition includes guidance on several critical areas, such as:

• Industry best practices
• Cutting-edge developments
• Data-backed evidence
• Case studies
• Return on Investment (ROI) plans

Currently, three guides are available for immediate download:

• Energy Management
• Equipment Effectiveness (Part I: Injection Moulding)
• Product Design

Additionally, three more guides are slated for release by the end of the year, covering:

• Automation
• Digitalisation (including Part I: Real-Time Manufacturing Execution Systems and Part II: ERP/MRP)
• Waste Minimisation

The BPF has committed to revising these guides annually to ensure they remain aligned with industry standards and innovations. Phase II of this initiative is already in progress, with more documents expected to be launched in 2025.

For those interested in learning more and downloading the guides, additional information can be found on the BPF website. This new hub represents a significant step forward in empowering the UK plastics industry to meet modern challenges and embrace future opportunities.

Recycling minister, Robbie Moore, has revealed a new "common-sense approach" to recycling. This approach is designed to simplify bin collections and boost recycling rates across England.
The new initiative aims to standardise material collections from homes, workplaces and schools, addressing what Mr Moore has referred to as a "confusing patchwork" of varied methods across the country.

After consulting with local councils, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has decided to implement a unified system. Councils will now be allowed to collect plastic, metal, glass, paper, and cardboard in a single bin. Additionally, food and garden waste can be collected together.

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‘Confusion’

This approach is intended to “reduce confusion” about recyclable materials, creating a consistent process nationwide rather than one that varies by council. It also aims to simplify operations for councils and waste collectors, allowing them to retain the flexibility to manage recyclable waste in ways that best suit their local areas.

Defra also supports more frequent and comprehensive bin collections, with a minimum requirement for councils to collect general waste at least fortnightly and food waste weekly.

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‘Standards’

Paul Vanston, CEO of the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN), welcomed the announcement, saying: “This assures citizens that local councils will swiftly implement recycling collections that match on-pack recycling labels. Those funding local packaging recycling services, including citizens, brands, and retailers, can expect high standards of customer service, recycling performance, and value-for-money nationwide.”

These new regulations will apply to all homes in England, including flats, as well as non-household municipal premises such as businesses, hospitals, schools, universities, places of worship, penal institutions, charity shops, hostels and public meeting places.

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View our previous stories on this topic:

'Simpler Recycling plans finally released? [23/10/2023]'

'Has anything changed with consistency? [22/09/2023]'

Recent data published by HMRC has highlighted that the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) brought in £42 million more than forecast in 2022/23.

Data published by the department showed that £276 million was brought in from the tax, against an original estimate of £235 million. There have been 4,142 businesses registered.

The tax was introduced in April 2022 and saw a £200 per tonne levy placed on plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content. The tax was raised to £210.82 per tonne as of 1 April 2023.

Data

Other statistics released by HMRC show that of the total plastic packaging manufactured in and imported into the UK 39% was declared as taxable under the PPT.

Of the total plastic packaging declared 52% was manufactured in the UK and 48% was imported into the UK.

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See similar stories to this: 'Government to ban single-use plastics' [26.05.23]