Rolling Out Plastic Film Collections to All Households in England
Plastic film collections are set to become a mandatory part of household recycling services across England from March 2027. This report explores the implications of Simpler Recycling, examining collection requirements, recycling infrastructure, costs, recyclability and the challenges local authorities face in preparing for the transition.
Plastic film collections under Simpler Recycling
From March 2027, local authorities across England will be required to collect plastic bags and plastic film from households under the Government's Simpler Recycling reforms. This significant change will transform how flexible plastics are collected, sorted and recycled across the UK.
Developed for the Local Government Association (LGA), Valpak's report examines the implications of mandatory kerbside plastic film collections, providing an evidence-based assessment of material volumes, recycling infrastructure, recyclability, costs and operational challenges facing councils. The study draws on PackFlow modelling, local authority data, stakeholder interviews and findings from the FlexCollect project.
Key findings from the report
The report reveals that approximately 770,000 tonnes of plastic film are placed on the market annually in England, with around 392,000 tonnes entering household waste streams. While current household film recycling remains limited, the introduction of Simpler Recycling could increase local authority collections from around 15,000 tonnes to 96,000 tonnes per year.
What the report covers
Key topics covered include:
- Simpler Recycling requirements for plastic bags and flexible plastics
- UK recycling infrastructure readiness
- Plastic film recycling capacity and market development
- Costs and funding implications for local authorities
- EPR and recyclability considerations
- Practical guidance for councils preparing for implementation
- Risks associated with limited recycling capacity and end markets
Download the report
Download the full report to understand the challenges and opportunities associated with rolling out household plastic film collections across England.
FAQs
From March 2027, local authorities in England will be required to collect plastic bags and plastic film from households for recycling.
Valpak’s report estimates that approximately 770,000 tonnes of plastic film are placed on the market annually in England.
Valpak’s report concludes that current UK reprocessing capacity is unlikely to be sufficient to accommodate the increase in plastic film collected under Simpler Recycling.
The mandatory collection requirement will apply from 31 March 2027.