Amcor upgrades UK flexible packaging recycling facility

Amcor has marked the completion of upgrades to its recycling facility in Heanor, Derbyshire, with a ribbon-cutting ceremony led by local MP Linsey Farnsworth. The event, also attended by Gerald Rebitzer, Amcor’s vice president sustainability operations and advocacy, celebrated the company’s investment in UK recycling infrastructure and commitment to circular packaging.

The Heanor facility helps advance a circular economy in the UK by processing a wide range of post-consumer and industrial flexible plastic waste. Recent investments, as well as upgrades to quality and safety systems, have improved the consistency and quality of recycled output, enabling an additional 2,800 tons of recyclate to be used in high-performance flexible packaging applications.

'Recycling flexible plastics at scale is essential for achieving circularity and ensuring supply chain resilience,' said Rebitzer. 'As the UK prepares for mandatory curbside collection of flexible packaging in 2027, it’s vital that we continue to strengthen our recycling infrastructure to meet demand.'

The Heanor facility operates a fully integrated recycling process — including sorting, grinding, washing, separation and reprocessing — that converts suitable flexible plastic waste into high-quality post-consumer recycled (PCR) polymers. These are used in Amcor’s flexible packaging for applications such as non-contact sensitive industrial packaging, collation shrink films and stretch films for pallet protection and stabilization.

Onsite quality testing confirms consistency, and third-party RecyClass certification ensures traceability and compliance, supporting brands in meeting the UK Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) and expectations for increased use of recycled content.

The site also includes water treatment systems that allow for water recirculation within the recycling process, reducing overall water use. It is certified Zero Waste to Landfill by Valpak and holds RecyClass certification.

'This latest investment at Heanor reinforces Amcor’s strategy to support circular packaging systems while helping customers meet evolving environmental expectations,' Rebitzer added.

While Heanor is a key UK hub, Amcor’s recycling capabilities also extend to other European sites, including its recycling center in Steinfeld, Germany.