FPF FlexCollect: A UK first, now inspiring global action

With a few final exciting reprocessing trials scheduled for 2025, the Flexible Plastic Fund (FPF) FlexCollect project is nearly finished - and the results are coming soon.
The FPF FlexCollect project is the UK’s first large-scale pilot investigating the collection, sorting and recycling of post-consumer flexible plastic packaging. It began in 2022 and set out to understand how flexibles can be integrated into kerbside recycling collection services ready for the implementation of Simpler Recycling in 2027.
The FlexCollect project is funded by FPF members Mars UK, Mondelēz International, Nestlé, PepsiCo, Unilever, Abel & Cole, Ella’s Kitchen, Kiddylicious, Koninklijke Douwe Egberts, KP Snacks, Lotus Bakeries, McCain Foods, Natural Balance Foods, Ocado Retail, pladis, The Collective, and Vitaflo, as well as by Defra, UK Research & Innovation’s Smart Sustainable Plastic Packaging Challenge delivered by Innovate UK, and Zero Waste Scotland. The project delivery team comprises Ecosurety, RECOUP, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK and WRAP.
Ten local authority pilots are now nearing completion, with reprocessing trials set for 2025. Final findings, due in Autumn 2025, will help inform UK local authorities rolling out new kerbside collections for Simpler Recycling in 2027.
The project has already had a far wider impact around the world, with similar initiatives wanting to learn from the UK. From the USA and Canada, to Japan and Australia, governments and industry leaders are tapping into FlexCollect’s insights to shape their own flexible plastic recycling systems.
Where has FPF FlexCollect had an influence?

Related reading



.jpg%3F2026-05-01T10%253A52%253A36.698Z&w=3840&q=75)

