Recycle Week 2026: Rescue your recyclables with OPRL
Recycle Week is back for 2026, and this year it’s all about giving our recyclables another chance.
Taking place from 14–20 September 2026, Recycle Week is the UK’s biggest annual celebration of recycling. This year, Recycle Now is bringing back its much-loved ‘Rescue Me, Recycle’ campaign, encouraging us all to think twice before putting recyclable items in the rubbish bin.
At OPRL, that’s a message we can certainly get behind.
Because while getting more people recycling is important, making it easy for them to know what, where and how to recycle matters too. And that’s where clear, consistent recycling information on packaging has an important role to play.
Rescue me, Recycle: making every item count
There’s been plenty happening in the recycling world in 2026. Changes to recycling collections, packaging developments and evolving policy are all designed to help improve recycling rates.
But ultimately, those changes only make a difference when people put the right things in the right bins.
That’s why Recycle Now’s ‘Rescue Me, Recycle’ campaign is returning for 2026.
The campaign brings everyday recyclable items to life with their own personalities and stories, showing people why these materials are worth rescuing from the rubbish bin and what they could become when they’re recycled.
Clear recycling information matters
Of course, before consumers can rescue their recyclables, they need to know that they can be recycled in the first place.
And that isn’t always as straightforward as it sounds.
WRAP’s research for Recycle Week 2026 shows that confidence around recycling remains a challenge, with people still unsure about what they can recycle and how to recycle it. It also found that trust in the recycling system is fragile, with more people questioning what happens to their recycling and whether their efforts genuinely make a difference.
For brands and retailers, that makes the information provided on packaging incredibly important.
Clear, evidence-based recycling labels can help take some of that uncertainty away at the exact moment a consumer is deciding what to do with their packaging.
Helping businesses make confident packaging decisions
There’s plenty for businesses to keep track of too.
The packaging and recycling landscape continues to evolve, and understanding what changes mean for your packaging, recyclability assessments and labelling can sometimes feel like a full-time job.
Whatever happens next, OPRL has you covered.
Our members have access to the tools, technical expertise and guidance they need to make informed packaging decisions with confidence.
From our trusted recycling labels and Recyclability Assessment Tool (RAT) to technical support, webinars, guidance and updates on the latest regulatory and industry developments, we’re here to help members navigate change and understand what it means for their business.
And importantly, we’re not just here when something changes. We’re here to help businesses look ahead, make informed decisions and ensure the recycling information they provide to consumers remains clear and credible.
Recycle Week special offer
If you’ve been considering joining OPRL, Recycle Week could be the perfect time.
To celebrate Recycle Week 2026, we’re offering new members 20% off their first year of OPRL membership when they register between 14 and 28 September 2026.
Simply use promotional code RECYCLEWEEK26 when registering for membership.
With the packaging landscape evolving fast, joining OPRL means you don’t have to navigate what comes next alone.
Whether you need help assessing packaging recyclability, understanding how changes could affect your business, accessing trusted recycling labels or simply knowing there’s an expert team on hand when you have a question.
Offer available to new members registering between 14–28 September 2026. Use code RECYCLEWEEK26 when registering.
Already an OPRL member?
Recycle Week is also a great opportunity to remind your customers why recycling matters.
Recycle Now is encouraging brands and businesses to get involved by sharing recycling information, highlighting recycling or take-back schemes, explaining what happens to recycled materials and using the campaign across customer and employee communications.
And remember, you can log into the OPRL Member Hub at any time to access your OPRL tools, resources and support.
Together, we can give more packaging the chance to be recycled, keep valuable materials in circulation and help consumers put the right things in the right bins.
Happy Recycle Week!