UK Circular Plastics Network (UKCPN)
The UK Circular Plastics Network (UKCPN) aims to bring together the diverse users of plastic products and realise the best means for reducing plastic waste entering the environment through a programme of networking and knowledge-sharing events and related support activities.
-
Overview
|
-
Challenges
|
-
Projects
|
-
Downloads
|
-
Opportunities
|
-
Events
|
-
People
|
-
News
|
-
Programmes
UKCPN runs events and activities to bring together the diverse users of plastic products and realise the best means for reducing plastic waste.
The Circular Plastics Network (UKCPN) has created a coordinated, integrated and aligned community of stakeholders in order to share best practice, focused on unlocking the most critical, short term barriers to plastics circularity.
UKCPN facilitates:
- Eliminating the volume of plastic waste arising from within the UK.
- Raising awareness and sharing best practice to improve the rate of UK plastic recycling.
- Sharing best practice to reduce levels of confusion amongst citizens and highlighting user-centred design.
- Showcasing innovation that is focused on reducing the amount of plastic ending up in the environment.
UKCPN is an activity supported by UK Research and Innovation and forms part of the Plastics Research Innovation Fund (PRIF), which is engaging Britain’s best scientists and innovators to help move the country towards more circular economic and sustainable approaches to plastics.
Join the Circular Plastics Network
Current UKCPN funding opportunities
Innovate UK Smart Grants: April 2022
Opens: 25/04/2022 Closes: 27/07/2022
UK registered organisations can apply for a share of up to £25 million for game-changing, commercially viable R&D innovation that can significantly impact the UK economy. It must be an innovative, disruptive, ambitious, world-class solution, with no similar technology commercially available any
More Information
Young Innovators Awards 2022/23
Opens: 13/06/2022 Closes: 27/07/2022
Young people (aged 18-30 by 27th July 2022) can apply for an award that will help turn their business idea into a reality – including a £5,000 grant, a two days a week living allowance, and tailored business support.
More Information
Fast Start: Innovation for net zero and healthcare
Opens: 11/07/2022 Closes: 26/07/2022
Innovate UK is offering small and micro businesses a share of up to £30 million in grants for affordable, adoptable and investable innovations in net zero and self-driven healthcare.
More Information
UKCPN Events And Recordings
Related News

22.03.2022
Global Alliance Africa is supporting Unilever to identify innovative solutions for online consumer products within South Africa
In this challenge, Unilever is looking to identify innovative approaches towards new circular business models for reuse and refill for online customers. The most promising solution provider will be selected by Unilever and may be given a commercial opportunity to deliver their solution in partnership, with additional support from Global Alliance Africa.
Read more

02.03.2022
Towards more sustainable use of plastics in healthcare
Ahead of the Global Research & Innovation in Plastics Sustainability (GRIPS) online conference, exhibition and showcase taking place on 15th – 17th March 2022, KTN’s Matt Chapman looks at some of the issues around the use of plastics in healthcare, what new approaches are already being put in place and how businesses can work towards more sustainable solutions.