In these times of change, robust data has never been more important. In a world where expert research comes at a premium, up to date – and freely available information – takes on even greater value. For local authorities looking to evidence campaigns or service change, Valpak by Reconomy’s ground-breaking PackFlow reports provide a valuable resource.
Last year, Valpak by Reconomy made our full catalogue of ground-breaking PackFlow reports accessible to all, through a dedicated website: PackFlow - UK Packaging Data & Recycling
The PackFlow reports have shaped environmental policy and sustainability strategies both in the UK and internationally, as well as providing a critical evidence base for cost calculations, research projects and investment in infrastructure. Combining the UK’s largest packaging and product dataset – which lists over 60 million SKUs – with expert consultancy, the reports have been used to prepare businesses and government for future trends and tackle current issues.
The aim of bringing the reports together in one place is to ensure that future decisions are based on robust evidence and, hopefully, to trigger ideas to accelerate the transition to more transparent, fair and circular systems.
The first PackFlow reports were published in 2010 and 2012 and covered all waste packaging materials. They helped to identify accurate recycling rates and ensured that government had access to the most robust estimates of packaging flows in the UK when setting future targets. Today, the PackFlow projects have been conducted periodically for all packaging materials. Valpak is currently working on the latest reports into glass and plastics.
The report library contains a full archive of PackFlow studies, presented in a clear, filterable format. Examples of the new online resources include:
- London’s Packaging Footprint (2024) was the first project to map packaging through the city’s supply chains. Using data sourced from the PackFlow 2023 Refresh reports, the pioneering report was commissioned by ReLondon* to provide an evidence-based analytical framework for London’s ambitious targets for carbon reduction. It links packaging flows – for the first time – with greenhouse gas emissions in the city, showing that London packaging consumption is responsible for 4.1 million tonnes of CO2eq per year, equivalent to half of all transport emissions in London.
- Valpak Data Shapes UK Wet Wipes Ban: Valpak’s research revealed that the number of wet wipes placed on the market in the UK each year is close to 30.5 billion – almost three times the original estimate. This information has directly informed proposed legislation to restrict the supply and sale of plastic-containing wet wipes.
- Shaping UK packaging policy with Defra, WRAP & the UK Plastics Pact: Valpak created detailed models of packaging flows across the UK. These were used by Defra to shape EPR proposals, by WRAP to guide Plastics Pact targets, and by industry to benchmark performance and plan investments.
