Our History

In 2023, we had a busy year filled with new service launches and a strong focus on EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility) for packaging, textiles, vapes, and paper cups. We fostered collaborations and established new partnerships, such as with Bower (recycling app), Cupround, Wastebusters, and EnergyBubble. These alliances allow us to provide exciting opportunities to our customers. We successfully introduced various initiatives, including a vape collection scheme, The Cup Box, the Cup Membership Scheme, Better Cotton Initiative Audit service, as well as WhatIf Modelling and Packaging Technology Consultancy services to further enhance our range of sustainable packaging solutions. In addition, our dedicated Consultancy team delivered several reports, including TextilesFlow Phase 1 and a small plastics report for WRAP. They also supported a Digital DRS (Deposit Return Scheme) trial in Brecon.

Valpak celebrated its 25th anniversary – hosting a summer party for all staff and a dinner, at the Natural History Museum in London, for key stakeholders. Valpak Consulting produced and contributed to several reports, including Fibre Composite De Minimis, Recycled Content in Caps and Closures, ReLondon’s The circular
economy at work:
Jobs and skills for London’s low carbon future, and Warwickshire Wildlife Trust Litter pick. Valpak also launched three new services – Green Claims support, Packaging Analysis, and Packaging Data Request Management, as well as an EPR for packaging online obligation test.

Valpak established support services to prepare businesses for upcoming legislation reforms: Plastic Packaging Tax, EPR for packaging, Deposit Return Scheme.

A complete list of 2021 Valpak achievements, projects and partnerships can be found in the interactive 2021 Sustainability Report.

Valpak Consulting carried out a project to isolate the changes in consumption and recycling in 2020 and assess the potential compliance position. Findings can be found in our PackFlow Covid report.

Valpak-sponsored expedition to collect scientific data on marine litter and clean up Henderson Island’s polluted beach. Valpak also provided resource to Keep Scotland Beautiful’s Upstream Battle, which tackled litter along the Clyde. We launched the world’s first zero-carbon battery collection, hosted Plastic Matters seminars and produced the PackFlow Hybrid Model report to highlight key drivers to increasing recycling identified in PackFlow 2025, and to examine which options proposed by Government offer the best opportunity for the UK.

In December, Valpak was acquired by Reconomy, an international circular economy specialist. PlasticFlow 2025 report was produced to help Defra understand levels of UK plastic packaging placed on the market and recycled. Valpak worked with members to assess the UK drinks market and potential Deposit Return Scheme options, which are summarised in a DRS report.

In March, Valpak celebrated 20 years of service and experience.
Packaging Market Study (PackFlow 2025) report was published, which assesses the UK’s existing system and identifies opportunities for growing UK packaging recycling, and PRN reform.

Valpak established a service to raise awareness of and help companies to comply with the requirements of section 54 of the new Modern Slavery Act.
Valpak developed web-based portals, which use client data to help increase supply chain transparency and minimise risk.
PackFlow 2025 report was published, the report was designed to inform Government decision making on EU circular economy proposals on EPR and future WEEE targets.

New members of the Advisory Committee on Packaging (ACP) announced. Adrian Hawkes, Valpak’s Policy Director appointed to represent large compliance schemes taking over from Steve Gough, Valpak’s CEO.
MetalFlow 2014 report was published, the report focuses steel and aluminium packaging supply chain in the UK.

Glass target consultation took place and targets were adjusted in line with GlassFlow 2012 recommendations. This adjustment in targets saved the UK approximately £64 million. Plastic Packaging Market Study (Plastic Flow) 2014 report was published identifying lower levels of plastic packaging going onto the market than previously predicted. UK established ESOS Regulations 2014. Valpak launched an Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS) service.

New 5 year packaging waste recovery and recycling targets became effective from 1 January 2013. These targets included a split glass target and a 5% annual increase in plastic targets.
On 18 February 2013 the assets and business of Valpak Recycling (North West) Limited were sold to JWS Lancashire Limited.
Glassflow 2012 report is published; the report investigates why the UK glass packaging recycling sector experienced a lot of volatility during 2012.

Valpak helped organisations to comply with environmental legislation in over 20 countries.
Valpak was appointed as PAS 141 ( WEEE Re-use ) Scheme Administrator by BIS.
Valpak launched a Zero Waste to Landfill Certification service, to help organisations demonstrate their environmental credentials.

Valpak set up an International Compliance Service.
Valpak obtained Carbon Neutrality Standard, PAS 2060.

April UK CRC Regulations come into force.
Valpak set up CRC Compliance Service.

On 5 May UK Waste Batteries Regulations came into force.
March Valpak launched new UK Green Dot Code of Practice.
Valpak approved as operator of Batteries Producer Compliance Scheme.
Valpak’s head office gained ISO 14001 accreditation and became one of approximately only 10,000 other companies to obtain this in the UK.

Valpak sponsored the Royal College of Art Design for a Better Environment award.
Valpak Consulting were involved in the pioneering Glasgow Recycles partnership project.

On 2 January UK Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations come into force.
Valpak was approved as operator of WEEE Producer Compliance Scheme.
Valpak, in partnership with Wincanton, launch the “WEEE recycle-more” campaign in Glasgow. This campaign saw an uplift over 150% in material to the Glasgow Designated Collection Facilities (DCFs).

Valpak strengthened its range of compliance and recycling solutions with the purchase of the Waste Management Group (WMG) Material Recycling Facility (MRF) in Preston, which was integrated into the current Valpak Recycling operation. This facility is one of the UK’s leading plastic sorting and grading sites and draws material from across the whole of the UK.

The first PackFlow 2005 research project findings are announced to cement Valpak’s position as the expert on Producer Responsibility issues.

Valpak rescape™ recycling banks introduced for high profile locations.
Valpak Data Management service is established.
Valpak Recycling opens a representative office in China.

Valpak sells its ground breaking commercial glass collection business, recycle-more-glass, to the UK’s largest commercial and domestic glass collector and processor Berryman. The scheme collects 60,000 tonnes of glass a year, the equivalent to nearly 200 million bottles and jars.

Valpak shifts the focus of its operations away from Savannah House in London to a new base in Warwickshire. This decision was reached after consideration of the costs involved in renting a prime location London office, and with a view to making the company more accessible to its nationwide membership. Montague House in Stratford-upon-Avon was officially opened in April.

Valpak further extends its activities by starting up its recycle-more-glass service, collecting mixed glass for recycling free of charge from pubs, clubs, restaurants and bars.

recycle-more.co.uk launched to offset members’ Consumer Information Obligations (CIO).
Valpak Recycling is established to specialise in the management of waste.

Rt Hon John Gummer MP is appointed as Valpak’s Non-executive Chairman.
First year of packaging waste obligations for affected Great Britain organisations.

6 March 1997 new UK Packaging Waste Regulations came into force.
Valpak becomes first Producer Compliance Scheme for packaging.
Organisations affected by the Packaging Waste Regulations register.

The Valpak Working Representative Advisory Group was formed. From this group, the concept of the Valpak Packaging Compliance Scheme emerged. It would be a collaborative industry body through which businesses would work together to achieve the recovery and recycling of packaging waste. It would take pressure away from businesses that would find it difficult and time consuming to comply with the legislation.

The UK Government consulted with industry over a 2 year period, so there was time to put forward an agreed proposal on the best way to implement the Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive.

The European Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste was introduced in 1994. The Directive put obligations on member countries to recover and recycle 50-65% of packaging waste by 2001.

The UK Government assembled a group of industry representatives to form the Packaging Responsibility Group (PRG) to assess the impact of the forthcoming Packaging Waste Regulations.