September 5, 2025

FlexCollect Success Shows the Power of Kerbside Recycling Bags

The recently published FlexCollect report, highlighted by Circular Online, has delivered hugely encouraging news for the recycling sector. With over 400 tonnes of flexible plastic collected from 160,000 households across ten UK local authorities, and with a remarkable 89% satisfaction rate among residents, the findings prove that kerbside flexible plastic collections can be both effective and popular.

For us at Sackmaker, this comes as no surprise. We’ve long championed the role of reusable recycling bags as a practical, scalable solution for councils under pressure to meet ambitious recycling and carbon reduction targets. This report shows that not only does the system work, it works exceptionally well.

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How Have Councils Done This?

A central factor in the success of FlexCollect trials has been the introduction of dedicated kerbside recycling bags. Unlike bins, sacks are lightweight, space-efficient, and easy for residents to use. Councils needed a system that could integrate seamlessly with existing collection rounds, without requiring new vehicles or extra staff. The answer has been reusable bags designed specifically for flexible plastics.

Sackmaker has been proud to supply the majority of participating councils with these purpose-built bags. More than just a supplier, we work closely with local authorities to design and tailor bags to their needs, whether that’s durability for repeated use, visibility for easy identification at kerbside, or clear printed messaging to guide residents on what can and can’t be recycled. By co-designing these bags with councils, we help ensure collections run smoothly and achieve the outcomes highlighted in the FlexCollect findings.

Meeting Local and National Targets

Across the UK, local authorities face stringent recycling obligations. In Scotland, councils are working toward the 70% recycling rate target by 2025. In Wales, the government’s world-leading targets already push local authorities beyond 65%, with higher goals ahead. England has binding Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) frameworks and a focus on achieving 65% recycling of municipal waste by 2035, while Northern Ireland has its own stretching targets tied into UK-wide commitments.

Reusable recycling bags directly support these goals by increasing the volume of flexible plastics diverted from residual waste. The FlexCollect report projects that kerbside collections could reach 150,000 tonnes per year by 2027, rising to 200,000 tonnes annually by 2030. For councils balancing budgets, resident satisfaction, and national obligations, the efficiency of bag-based systems is a clear win.

Take the Next Step

For councils considering new approaches, Sackmaker is the UK’s largest stockist of kerbside recycling bags, with products available immediately for everything from small-scale trials to large-scale rollouts. Our experience in supporting local authorities across the UK means we understand the challenges you face and how to overcome them. We invite councils and waste organisations to get in touch with us today to discuss how reusable kerbside recycling bags can help you hit your local recycling and carbon reduction targets.

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Wokingham Borough Council

Ready to Boost Your Recycling Performance?

Get in touch today to see how our kerbside recycling bags can help your council hit local targets and keep residents engaged.