RECOUP ANNOUNCE PLASTICS RECYCLING AWARDS FINALISTS

Plastics recycling charity, RECOUP, has always been at the forefront of raising awareness, showcasing innovation, and highlighting the potential for recycled content in products. For the first time in its 32-year history the organisation is running its own awards to recognise those within the industry who are pushing the boundaries in terms of opportunities for plastic recycled content as well as new ways to improve recyclability and resource efficiency.

Stuart Foster, RECOUP, CEO, stated “Ensuring recyclability of packaging and products, and manufacturing new products with recycled plastics are two key elements of a successful plastic recycling system. With the intention to significantly increase plastic recycling as part of a circular economy model, there is an ongoing need to showcase and promote innovations to increase recyclability, and practical applications of recycled plastics into both closed and open loop products.”

The winners of these hotly contested awards will be announced at the RECOUP Plastics Resource and Recycling Conference, on Thursday 29th September 2022, where all the short-listed entries will be displayed. The event offers an opportunity for organisations to demonstrate and showcase their commitments to sustainability and plastics resource management.

Best Development or Innovation to Enhance Recyclability or Re-use the finalists are:

Berry Global – Closed Loop Recycled Paint Containers.
Greiner Packaging – K3® r100
PREP Design – Roll ‘n’ Recycle
Waddington Europe – Hot Fill rPET Containers
Waste Free Oceans with Partners – Corona beverage crate

Recycled Plastic Product of the Year category the finalists are:

Beko PLC – Recycled tub washing machine
Cromwell Polythene – The r.UK sack
Faerch UK Ltd – Tesco and Faerch deliver tray-to-tray recycling
Nestlé Waters UK – BUXTON® Natural Mineral Water
Packamama – Packamama eco-flat wine bottle
TRANSFORM-CE – Recycled products manufactured from PCR.
Waste2Wear – I used to be a fridge bag
Waste Free Oceans and partner DFS, Plastix and Epsotech – Circular Ropes
Waste Free Oceans and partner Euro Optics – ReFocus Circular Reading glasses and Sun glasses
Yes Recycling Fife – Ecosheet

Alexander Lee, Commercial Director, Cromwell Polythene commented, “We are delighted to be shortlisted for Recycling Product of the Year at the RECOUP Awards. Our nominated product the r.UK Sack™ exemplifies the mission we set ourselves, to be the cleanest, greenest, most resourceful company in plastics. The r.UK Sack™ is manufactured from 100% recycled content at our Derbyshire manufacturing plant. These bags are an homage to the 3 R’s, Reduce, Re-Use, Recycle and are helping to promote the circular economy of resources in the domestic market.”

Amelia Dales, Commercial Director at Packamama, commented “RECOUP have played an integral part of Packamama’s efforts to ensure that our flat, 100% recycled PET wine bottles are best-in-class for recycled content and recyclability. As such, we are thrilled to be recognised for our continued progress in this area, through being shortlisted for Best Recycled Plastic Product in the RECOUP Plastics Recycling Annual Awards.”

Anthony Peyton, Director, PREP Design commented “We are excited to hear the news of being shortlisted for the RECOUP Awards in recognition of our product development, Roll ‘n’ Recycle. We are genuinely honoured to be recognised by RECOUP and send our best wishes to those who’ve also been shortlisted, which is already a fantastic achievement.”

Eduardo Gomes, Managing Director, Waddington Europe, commented “Waddington Europe are delighted to be shortlisted for our revolutionary product development, Hot Fill PET at the RECOUP Plastics Recycling Annual Awards. The RECOUP conference is the coveted event of the year for the plastics recycling value chain, and we are excited to be attending again in September to learn and catch up with industry friends and colleagues. We wish the best of luck to everyone who has been shortlisted for an award.”

Hayley Lloyd House, Head of Corporate Affairs & Sustainability, Nestlé Waters UK commented “We are delighted to be shortlisted for the RECOUP Plastics Recycling Annual Awards, recognising our achievement in overcoming the obstacles to make the full range of BUXTON bottles with recycled PET. Working to close the recycling loop for PET plastic is a huge step forward in our goal to make the circular economy for plastics a reality, reducing the need for new, virgin plastic in our business. We look forward to attending this year’s Conference and hearing more great insights and developments from right across the plastics and recycling value chain.”

Jamie Riley, Sustainability Lead, Berry Superfos, commented “Berry Superfos is delighted to be shortlisted for this prestigious award. Demonstrating plastics’ circularity and its vital role in the circular economy are essential to the continued success of our industry and are a fundamental part of Berry’s Impact 2025 sustainability strategy, where we work with our customers to help them meet and exceed their own sustainability goals.”

Jeroen van der Wind, COO, Waste2Wear, commented “Waste2Wear is honoured to be a finalist in the RECOUP Plastic Recycling Awards for our innovative bags made from recycled polypropylene taken from discarded fridges and other old domestic appliances. Every piece of recycled plastic counts. We look forward to attending the awards and celebrating other companies doing business for good.”

Omer Kutluoglu, Co-Owner, Yes Recycling Group commented, “Yes Recycling Fife is honoured to be chosen as a shortlisted business for the RECOUP Plastics Recycling Annual Awards. Our product Ecosheet, developed and produced in Fife, Scotland, is an alternative to plywood, creating a sustainable resource; we thank RECOUP for this recognition. Good luck to all the other shortlisted businesses; being part of such a group is fantastic.”

Prof. Craig Banks, Principal Investigator for TRANSFORM-CE commented, “The TRANSFORM-CE team are so pleased to hear that their ‘recycled products manufactured from post-consumer, single-use plastic waste using additive manufacturing and intrusion-extrusion moulding’ have been shortlisted for the Recycled Plastic Product of the Year award at the RECOUP Plastics Resource and Recycling Conference 2022! We’re looking forward to attending this prestigious event and celebrating all of the innovations and achievements within the plastics recycling industry with the other shortlisted candidates and attendees.”

Rachel Sheldon, UK & Ireland Sustainability and Innovation Manager, Greiner Packaging commented “Greiner Packaging UK & Ireland is delighted to be shortlisted for the RECOUP Plastics Recycling Annual Awards in recognition of our product development, K3® r100: the self-separating cup. Our K3® cardboard-plastic solution is one of the most sustainable packaging solutions on the market, and K3® r100 ensures materials are separated before they reach the near-infrared detection (NIR) system at the recycling facility, leading to proper detection, sorting, and recycling. We are very much looking forward to attending the conference and awards in September, good luck to all those shortlisted!”

Teresa Arbuckle, Managing Director, Beko PLC commented, “Beko PLC is thrilled to be shortlisted in the RECOUP Plastic Recycling Awards for our recycled PET washing machine tubs. It’s vital that manufacturers find innovative ways to use the range of plastic coming from recycling plants, reducing our reliance on virgin raw materials and moving to a truly circular economy. These awards shine a spotlight on what can be achieved through creative thinking and prioritising investment in R&D. We congratulate all those who are nominated. “