The trials, led be RECOUP, will explore how bio-based materials are sorted and recycled, with findings intended to inform policy on recycling assessments and packaging fees.
They are part of the second phase of BB-REG-NET, a project led by the Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA) and funded through UK Research and Innovation’s Regulatory Science and Innovation Networks programme.
They are scheduled to take place over six months, followed by a further six months to assess the findings and explore potential routes for the materials.
Jen Vanderhoven, Chief Executive of BBIA and Project Lead for BB-REG-NET, explained: “Current EPR fees and recyclability methodology assessments do not adequately recognise the diversity or environmental performance of bio-based and biodegradable materials.
“Too often, these innovative materials are grouped into an ‘other’ category, overlooking their potential contribution to a more sustainable and circular economy.
“We need a more sophisticated, evidence-based approach that recognises different end-of-life pathways and rewards materials for their genuine environmental benefits, rather than simply how well they fit into existing recycling systems “
Richard Cham, Technical Director for RECOUP, added: “While there is a growing body of research and evidence from Europe and the United States, UK policymakers and regulators are increasingly looking for evidence that reflects UK-specific conditions, infrastructure and waste management systems.
“There are still important gaps in our understanding, and through this work we aim to address those gaps, strengthen the evidence base and support more informed decisions on how bio-based and biodegradable materials are assessed and managed.”
What will the trials investigate?
The project will select 10 MRFs to provide a representative picture of the infrastructure handling household dry mixed recycling.
The planned selection includes two super-sized MRFs, four large facilities, two or three medium-sized sites and one small MRF. The team is also seeking a broad geographical spread and a range of operators and technologies.
The materials will be put through the facilities’ sorting processes to establish where they end up, whether they possibly contaminate conventional recycling streams and if any limitations arise during processing.
The team will then investigate potential end markets, including whether reprocessors handling polyolefins, PET and flexible plastics could accept the materials. It will also consider other routes, including food waste processing, anaerobic digestion (AD) and energy recovery.
The aim is to understand not just whether a material can be separated, but whether there is a viable destination for it.
Cham explained: “We don’t want to test only the things that people think are going to be good or want good results from, because we want to be as impartial and objective as possible.”
The team plans to produce an individual report for each MRF, followed by an overall report bringing together the findings.
A range of materials and technologies
The trials will focus primarily on packaging, although the team is open to testing other materials if suitable samples are available.
BB-REG-NET is aiming to cover three broad categories: bio-based materials designed as chemically identical replacements for existing fossil-based plastics; alternative materials such as PLA; and newer, more novel materials.
The expected range includes rigid and flexible packaging, laminated materials, polylactic acid (PLA) and newer materials made using alternatives such as seaweed. Examples could include cups, food trays, coffee cups, sandwich packaging, magazine bags and food waste bags.
The trials will examine how these materials behave across different MRF systems, including optical sorting equipment, near-infrared (NIR) technology, trommels, two-dimensional and three-dimensional sorting systems, glass sorting and artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled equipment.
Cham also highlighted the challenges posed by increasingly automated waste sorting systems, particularly the use of artificial intelligence to identify and separate different packaging materials.
He explained: “Optical sorting technologies are already widely used across the recycling sector, but AI-based systems may struggle to distinguish between conventional plastics, bio-based materials and fibre-based packaging, particularly where products have similar visual characteristics.
“Unless these systems are trained to recognise emerging materials accurately, AI could become a significant barrier to their effective sorting and recovery, rather than an enabler of improved recycling performance.”
Informing recycling policy
As part of its wider objectives, BB-REG-NET is working to provide Defra with evidence on how bio-based and biodegradable materials should be assessed and managed at end of life.
The project will seek to establish whether particular materials can be recycled without contaminating other streams, and whether they have a suitable end market. This evidence could help policymakers distinguish between materials that can be managed within existing systems and those that may require different collection, sorting or treatment arrangements.
The trials also come as the sector prepares for the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), which will change the volumes and composition of materials reaching MRFs.
Cham also highlighted the potential opportunities for bio-based materials arising from changes to the UK’s waste management infrastructure, particularly DRS.
He added: “The introduction of DRS is creating uncertainty for MRF operators, who are concerned about losing valuable revenue streams as PET bottles are diverted away from existing recycling systems.
“However, this could present a real opportunity for the bio-based sector. As material flows change and sorting capacity becomes available, there is potential for bio-based packaging to help fill that gap, making use of existing infrastructure while creating new opportunities for material recovery and recycling.”
The BB-REG-NET project
The MRF work is one part of BB-REG-NET’s wider second phase, which will run for 18 months and build on earlier research into the regulatory and policy barriers facing bio-based businesses.
The network’s previous work included engagement with government departments and the publication of a white paper setting out policy proposals and evidence gaps.
The current phase will develop further evidence and practical tools covering end-of-life management, standards, life-cycle assessment and public procurement.
The consortium includes BBIA, the University of Sheffield, the Biorenewables Development Centre, RECOUP, the British Standards Institution, Alder BioInsights, Perspective Economics, Twig Bio and Resource Media.
BB-REG-NET are launching this next stage on a webinar on 19th October 2026.
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