Action needed to safeguard UK’s plastic recycling industry, urges report

The UK needs to urgently safeguard its plastic packaging recycling industry or risk its collapse, warns a new report by Ecosurety and Recoup. The report highlights that recycling facilities are processing about 23% of the plastic packaging put on the UK market. 

The white paper, “UK plastic packaging recycling infrastructure: Recommendations for circularity,” outlines actions that could help stabilize the sector. These include strengthening material verification and demand for recycled content, as well as greater policy and targeted operational support. 

Packaging Insights speaks to Alison Appleby, packaging sustainability specialist at Ecosurety, about the report’s long- and short-term recommendations for what it calls a “turning point.” 

“We are at a pivotal moment for recycling in the UK, with market forces making operations extremely challenging for plastic recyclers, while producers face EPR regulations and increasing compliance costs,” says Appleby.

“This is the turning point — it’s time for regulatory intervention to support the transition to a circular economy.” 

The research argues that without intervention, the UK risks losing the majority of its plastic recycling infrastructure by 2030. It highlights that since 2024, 200,000 metric tons of capacity have been lost due to volatile markets, unclear regulations, and high costs. 

Recycled content authenticity

The report suggests that the UK strengthen its material verification and transparency to improve the quality of recycled feedstock and consumer trust. 

Appleby says: “The reality is, plastics aren’t going anywhere any time soon. They have valuable properties as packaging, protecting, and containing goods throughout their lifecycle.”

The organizations recommend strengthening material verification, increasing recycled content demand, and enhancing policy support.The report says that better sorting standards, tighter verification, and accelerated food-grade material can help create a more accountable supply chain. 

“However, if the industry continues to utilize this material, we need to ensure there is an industry of reprocessors to ensure the recycling of this material, and a viable and affordable end-market for the recycled content to stimulate circularity and reduce reliance on virgin materials,” adds Appleby. 

Recently, Innova Market Insights identified “Sustained Sustainability” as its top packaging trend for 2026, as consumers increasingly expect such claims to be scientifically validated. 

Increasing market demand 

Another recommendation the report stresses is to increase market demand for recycled content. It suggests increasing the UK’s Plastic Packaging Tax to align with EU thresholds, prompting the use of UK-recycled content in the European market. 

However, Appleby argues that this action alone is not sufficient to stimulate demand for UK-produced recyclate, highlighting the need for stronger domestic policy.

“Further recommendations have been made in the white paper, including embedding recycled content requirements in UK public procurement, and introducing recycled content targets for non-packaging industries to help stimulate demand for UK-produced recyclate.” 

Policy support

The report further addresses the need for greater policy support to advance innovation and investment. For example, recognizing reprocessing as critical national infrastructure and integrating it into the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy could “unlock new funding routes.”

The report suggests that dedicated programs for recycling innovation, infrastructure, and technology scale-up could enable sector growth.Moreover, it suggests that dedicated programs for recycling innovation, infrastructure, and technology scale-up could enable sector growth. 

Finally, the report argues that “targeted operational support is vital.” It stresses the need for consistent Environmental Agency permitting, access to “energy-intensive industry relief,” and professional development incentives, which could help create a “more desirable commercial environment” for UK recyclers. 

Appleby concludes by highlighting the interconnected nature of the report’s recommendations.

“Unfortunately, there isn’t just one action. It’s a series of things that need to occur. Many of the recommendations provided in the white paper aren’t mutually exclusive and need to occur in tandem.”

“You can’t simply turn one cog and hope everything falls into place. There are lots of elements that need to be fine-tuned to ensure the reprocessing sector receives the support it requires to remain viable.”