INCPEN leads on the science, sustainability and value of packaging to society, but what does this look like in our day-to-day work? Much of our focus is on positively shaping the UK packaging agenda through our efforts on policy, research and data.
Policy
The UK Collection and Packaging Reforms bring huge potential to evolve the UK’s packaging sector towards more circular economy* systems.
The reforms include:
- packaging Extended Producer Responsibility
- Deposit Return Scheme
- Simpler Recycling in England
- Plastic Packaging Tax
INCPEN collaborates closely with the UK Government, Devolved Administrations and the whole of the packaging supply chain to advance circular economy packaging systems. We collaborate, communicate, facilitate and inform, helping to keep our Members and our Trades Associations Group Members (TAG) fully briefed in a dynamic economic and legislative policy environment.
We support our Members and TAG in responding to Government consultations directly or in shared responses on behalf of the wider industry which we regularly pull together and submit. We contribute and represent our members on a range of steering groups and working groups including those set up by Government.
We also work very closely on policy matters in Europe, particularly on Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations.
*The circular economy is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. In a circular economy, products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting. The circular economy tackles climate change and other global challenges, like biodiversity loss, waste, and pollution, by decoupling economic activity from the consumption of finite resources. (Ellen MacArthur Foundation)
Research
The Industry Council for Packaging and Environment had a strong research emphasis in our early days. We continue to firmly believe in a science and evidence-based approach to decision making on packaging circularity. In recent years we have focused our research on UK Citizens. For us, knowledge and insight on what the UK public understand, think and (claim to) do, when it comes to recycling or re-using their packaging, is an invaluable tool to help inform the UK packaging agenda.
We currently commission annual citizens research within the UK & Ireland across five areas: –
- Deposit Return Schemes
- Packaging perceptions & attitudes
- Climate & environment
- Confidence recyclates get recycled
- Quality of recycling services
Data
Having the latest packaging data is critical to inform actions and decision making for those working in the UK packaging value chain and those who have influence on our sector. How much packaging is the UK producing? What type of products and what materials are being used? How much of it is being recycled and how? What are the trends showing?
INCPEN regularly produces the latest household dry recycling data (dry recycling is largely packaging) from the 398 local authorities across the UK. See our latest recycling data here.
We are also one of several contributors to Valpak’s PackFlow* reports. The latest March 2024 report here analyses the quantity of packaging streams placed on the market in the UK and recycled in 2022.
* PackFlow UK is a series of reports that estimate the amount of packaging placed on the UK market and recycled, helping to inform government recycling targets.
Awards and Innovation
INCPEN takes huge pleasure in celebrating the achievements of our vibrant and talented packaging sector. We are proud to celebrate the MANY incredible people who seek to positively impact the world through packaging. So much so, we proudly sponsor and support several national and international awards.
UK Packaging |
INCPEN sponsors the UK Packaging Awards.
More info here. |
Environmental Packaging Awards |
INCPEN sponsors the Environmental Packaging Awards. We sponsor the Environmental Champion Award of the Year, as well as supporting the judging process each year. More info here. |
National Recycling |
INCPEN sponsors the National Recycling Awards.
More info here. |
The Sustainability |
INCPEN supports the Sustainability Awards.
More info here. |
Starpack Schools & |
INCPEN sponsors the Starpack Schools & Students Awards. This includes supporting the judging process each year.
More info here. |