A new report from the CIWM Infrastructure Services and Operations Specialist Expert Group, 'Can UK MRFs Survive Packaging Reform?', examines how upcoming packaging and collection reforms will impact Materials Recovery Facilities across the United Kingdom. 

Key changes are coming to UK recycling systems as the government implements a generational restructuring of packaging and household waste rules. While policies such as Extended Producer Responsibility, the Deposit Return Scheme, Simpler Recycling, separate paper collections, and the UK Emissions Trading Scheme share clear environmental goals, their combined pressure on processing facilities is significant. 

Published today by CIWM’s Infrastructure Services and Operations Specialist Expert Group, this expert report uses real facility data and insights to assess how material streams and operating costs will change. It shows that Materials Recovery Facilities face declining commodity income as high-value items like aluminium and plastic bottles move away from commingled streams into dedicated deposit return routes.

The report also highlights unresolved issues with misplaced materials and the growing operational friction expected from handling films and flexibles ahead of mandatory targets. 

The report concludes that facilities can survive, but only if the commercial and policy framework adapts. It calls for integrated government modelling, transparent risk sharing in long-term contracts, fair compensation mechanisms for leakage materials, and the formal recognition of Materials Recovery Facilities as critical environmental infrastructure. 

Read the full report, 'Can UK MRFs Survive Packaging Reform?'