Valpak Research Provides Crucial Insights for Councils on Flexible Plastics Recycling

New research conducted by Valpak in partnership with Reconomy, commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA), offers detailed evidence to local authorities on the volumes, costs, and operational challenges linked to household flexible plastics collections.

The study was undertaken during preparations for the mandatory collection of plastic film and bags scheduled for March 2027 in England. Although this deadline has been postponed to 2030, councils remain at varying stages of readiness: some already collect flexible plastics, others have contracts or plans underway, while some are still evaluating how to implement such services.

Understanding the potential volume of flexible plastics, collection and sorting methods, available processing outlets, and associated costs remains essential for councils despite the revised timeline. Valpak’s evidence-based modelling assists local authorities in assessing what flexible plastics collections could entail for their operations.

Valpak’s analysis estimates that approximately 770,000 tonnes of plastic film are placed on the market annually in England, with 392,000 tonnes entering household waste streams. Currently, English councils collect around 15,000 tonnes of household film for recycling. Under a nationwide rollout, this figure was projected to initially increase to roughly 96,000 tonnes per year.

The research examined not only the quantity of material but also the system’s preparedness to manage it, including collection logistics, sorting and reprocessing capacity, and the availability of end markets. It revealed that existing UK reprocessing capacity would have been insufficient to accommodate the expected surge in tonnage under the original timetable. Presently, the UK has around 145,000 tonnes of film sorting capacity and 139,000 tonnes of reprocessing capacity, some of which is also allocated to commercial film and rigid plastics.

Steve Gough, Chief Executive Officer of Valpak, commented: “Whatever the timetable, local authorities need clear evidence to understand what flexible plastics collections could mean for their services. This is a challenging waste stream, and the picture will vary considerably between councils. Understanding likely volumes, collection systems, available capacity and end markets will help authorities plan and assess the implications for their own services.”

The financial impact is also significant. Valpak estimates that the cost of collecting and managing household plastic film across England ranges from £82 million to £301 million annually, equating to approximately £3 to £12 per household. The expense for individual councils will vary depending on factors such as existing collection systems, whether film is collected loose or in bags, sorting arrangements, and available treatment options.

Notably, about 14% of film found in household waste streams is non-packaging material. Unlike packaging, the costs associated with this fraction will not be covered by packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) payments.

For local authorities, national figures serve as a reference point rather than a definitive guide. Variations in collection systems, contracts, infrastructure, and local conditions mean that councils may face differing costs and operational challenges.

Zoe Goodman, Principal Consultant at Valpak, stated: “There is no single answer that will apply to every council. Our role in this work was to examine the evidence objectively: how much material there is, where it currently goes, what capacity exists and what different collection approaches could cost. That same kind of modelling can help individual authorities understand what flexible plastics could mean for their own services.”

Valpak’s consultancy team integrates detailed packaging data with material-flow analysis, cost modelling, and practical waste and recycling expertise. The LGA study utilised Valpak’s packaging data alongside information from FlexCollect, WRAP, councils, and industry stakeholders.

Valpak Consulting also produces the PackFlow reports, which serve as the industry baseline for understanding the quantities of various packaging materials placed on the UK market. These reports are freely accessible at packflow.co. Additionally, Valpak offers bespoke material-flow analysis tailored to individual clients.

This modelling approach aids local authorities and other organisations in comprehending their material flows, estimating likely costs, and evaluating the consequences of changes to collection and recycling systems.

The findings are pertinent not only to local councils but also to the wider recycling industry, producers, and policymakers by providing evidence on the scale and composition of flexible plastics and the infrastructure needed to manage them effectively.

The full report, Rolling out plastic film collections to all households in England, is available from Valpak. Valpak’s PackFlow analysis on plastic film recycling in England can also be accessed online.