Household collections with FPF FlexCollect
With the FPF FlexCollect project, we are trialing a series of innovative flexible plastic household collection and recycling pilots between 2022 and 2025.
The project will help to understand how to incorporate flexibles into existing collection services across different geographies and demographics and develop best practice ahead of the introduction of mandatory kerbside collection of flexible plastic recycling in the UK in 2027.
How does it work?
FPF FlexCollect provides a unique opportunity for government, local authorities, packaging producers and the waste industry to build vital understanding of how to incorporate flexibles into existing collections across different geographies, demographics and collection formats.
It will build an evidence base, share learning and develop best practice with key insights into the operational issues, yields and recyclability of flexible packaging, effective communications with residents and the costs of incorporating it into the UK’s current recycling collection systems.
The data and insights provided will be published to help support local authorities introducing new collections, as well as stimulate the development of end markets and domestic reprocessing infrastructure. It is also fully aligned with the WRAP led UK Plastics Pact ‘Roadmap 2025: Creating a circular economy for flexible plastic packaging’.
A three-year-long project
The project will run for three years in two stages. An initial ‘Pioneer Stage’ will involve pilots at four local authorities, with a further five local authorities joining them for an ‘Industrialisation Stage’ six months later, building on the knowledge gained during the first stage.
Who’s involved?
FPF FlexCollect is co-funded by:
FPF FlexCollect is managed by a consortium comprising:
With the involvement from a cross-section of industry stakeholders:
Join the local authorities
There are nine participating local authorities, who will benefit from cross-industry expertise and financial support that will run up to the implementation of packaging Extended Producer Responsibility and Simpler Recycling reforms, easing their transition. These early adopters will also be able to meet the increasing demand from consumers and businesses for better recycling provision, with an enhanced service that will improve their performance.