Now that two pilots have been successfully introduced, with a third beginning later this month, the FPF FlexCollect project is looking for other local authorities who would like to benefit from introducing flexible plastics into their collection services at no cost, and with support from an experienced project team.
With responses from DEFRA on the consistent collection’s consultation due later this month, and it being expected that flexible plastic collections to be mandatory for all local authorities, the FPF FlexCollect project will make your transition easier by providing you with the investment and support needed to add films and flexibles to your service
Project overview
Initiated and led by the Flexible Plastic Fund (FPF), FPF FlexCollect is a £2.9m project to collect and recycle flexible plastic packaging from households in the UK. The project benefits from the cross-industry expertise of leading industry and government partners, including DEFRA, Ecosurety, UK Research and Innovation, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, RECOUP, LARAC, WRAP and Zero Waste Scotland. Further information, including timescales, considerations, and details on end market options for the collected material can be found in the attached project brief.
Progress to date
Collections were successfully launched with Cheltenham Borough Council and South Gloucestershire Council in October 2022. Both areas operate source segregated collections, and after a successful launch of around 2000 households each, the pilots will be expanding to include all households over the next 18 months. To date, participation remains high and contamination low, with composition sampling demonstrating that residents show a good understanding of the target materials.
Maldon District Council, who operate a twin stream collection, are joining the project later this month, launching with 6,500 properties and expanding later this year.
All three local authorities are collecting flexible plastic in a single-use survival bag and removing them from a mingled stream at a MRF or transfer station.
Councillor Rachael Hunt, cabinet member for communities at South Gloucestershire Council said:
“The roll out of the trial in South Gloucestershire has gone very well with ongoing support from Suez UK who are managing the project.
Being at the forefront of this trial is an exciting opportunity, helping us get ahead in understanding how flexible plastic collections could work in preparation for the kerbside collections proposed for 2027. We’re also playing an important part in driving the development of this reprocessing sector in the UK.
Collections have been well received by our trial households so far. Residents in South Gloucestershire are really invested in recycling and flexible plastics represent a significant proportion of residual waste, so they are very keen to recycle more. The success of this trial contributes to our Resource and Waste Strategy: 2020 and Beyond and our Climate and Nature Emergency action plan.”
Member’s survey – films and flexibles
We are interested to understand what stage LARAC members are at regarding the introduction of films and flexibles into your kerbside collection service. Please take 5 minutes to complete this survey to share your journey so far and register your interest in joining the FlexCollect project.
If you have any questions about joining the FPF FlexCollect project, please reach out via flexcollect.uk@suez.com
