Clean Planet Energy secures major regulatory milestone for UK’s non-recyclable plastic waste.

Following an application and sustained technical engagement by Clean Planet Energy (CPE), the UK Department for Transport (DfT) has determined that fuels produced from genuinely non-recyclable post-consumer plastic waste will be eligible under the UK’s existing recycled carbon fuel framework, subject to meeting defined criteria.

This key milestone provides important clarity for the UK’s recycling and advanced materials sector. Plastics that cannot be mechanically recycled — and which would otherwise be sent to landfill or incineration — can now be used to displace fossil-derived fuels, supporting the UK’s circular-economy and decarbonisation goals.

Non-recyclable post-consumer plastic waste streams are now eligible for UK recycled-carbon-fuel pathways for all developers, following Clean Planet Energy’s application and sustained engagement with the Department for Transport.

More formally, the determination clarifies that Non-Recyclable Post-Consumer Plastic Waste (NR-PCPW) is a recognised subset of Municipal Solid Waste (fossil portion) — a feedstock category already designated under the RTFO and SAF Mandate for the production of recycled carbon fuels.

CPE submitted the original application and supporting evidence as part of its ongoing work to develop advanced recycling facilities capable of handling hard-to-recycle plastics responsibly. CPE’s strategy already incorporates the conversion of waste plastics into circular oils that can be used to create recycled plastics within its ecoPlants. Following this determination, the same waste streams may also be used to produce lower-carbon fuels, subject to regulatory requirements.

Clean Planet Energy is launching a network of advanced recycling facilities to turn non-recyclable waste plastics into circular oils and low-carbon fuels.

Importantly, this outcome provides regulatory certainty not only for Clean Planet Energy’s projects, but for the wider UK chemical recycling and recycled-carbon-fuel sector, helping to unlock responsible investment and innovation across the advanced recycling market.

Dr. Katerina Garyfalou, Head of Offtake at Clean Planet Energy, said:

“We welcome the determination from the Department for Transport and the clarity it provides to our industry. This marks an important milestone for the UK’s advanced recycling and recycled-carbon-fuel sector and contributes to the UK’s Net Zero targets.

Genuinely non-recyclable post-consumer plastics can now play a role in displacing fossil-derived fuels, for difficult to decarbonise sectors, while maintaining strong safeguards around recycling, traceability and environmental protection.”

The assessment considered environmental impacts, alternative end-of-life routes, and the risk of diverting materials from higher-value recycling pathways. The conclusion confirms that, when appropriately controlled, this waste stream can be used without undermining other industries’ decarbonisation efforts.

Extract from the gov.uk Department For Transport's updated "RTFO and SAF Mandate list of feedstocks including wastes and residues", now including non-recyclable plastics.

• Read the full mandate update to the RTFO and SAF Mandate - here