What Valpak does

Valpak is a UK-headquartered environmental compliance specialist founded in 1997 and now operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Reconomy Group. The company helps businesses comply with UK and international environmental regulations spanning packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), WEEE, batteries, textiles, the upcoming EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), UK Plastic Packaging Tax, and CBAM. Valpak reports a 100% compliance record since the inception of UK Packaging Waste Regulations and serves over 4,000 businesses across 195 countries.

Valpak's core technology is a data-driven compliance platform anchored by what it describes as the UK's largest packaging and product database, covering 65 million SKUs and overseen by a 250-person data team. The Data Insight Platform offers modular analytics covering data-set overview, carbon, packaging material, obligation, recyclability, EPR cost forecast, plastic packaging tax, and supplier management. It is supported by the Product Data Hub for live supplier data submission with automated checks, the RIO Sustainability Platform for initiative tracking, and the Recycle-More consumer recycling information website with 35,000+ recycling bank locations. The proprietary Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) is used as the data foundation for the UK Plastics Pact.

Revenue is generated through annual subscription memberships to compliance schemes (packaging, WEEE, batteries, textiles), value-added data and consulting services, managed recycling services (including the Re-Volt zero-emission battery collection and National Cup Recycling Scheme), and training. Valpak employs a sales-led, enterprise-focused go-to-market with dedicated account management and a secure member portal, targeting packaging producers, retailers and brands (Arla, ASOS, Costa, JD Sports, Primark, Specsavers, Burger King UK, Roadchef), electronics and battery manufacturers, fashion and textiles firms, and UK local authorities. Headcount was 239 at end-2022, with a 250-strong data team established in early 2026 alongside the launch of a global data insights division.

Name

Valpak

Legal name

Valpak Limited

Website

https://valpak.co.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1997

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Valpak is a UK environmental compliance specialist, founded in 1997, helping 4,000+ businesses across 195 countries comply with packaging EPR, WEEE, batteries, textiles, and related regulations. It operates a proprietary 65-million SKU packaging database and modular Data Insight Platform, and is a subsidiary of Reconomy Group.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Environmental Compliance Services

NAICS

Materials Recovery Facilities (56292)

SIC

Sanitary Services (4950), Refuse Systems (4953)

akta.pro primary industry

Supply Chain & Product Environmental Compliance (RoHS, WEEE, Packaging EPR, Eco-Design/Labeling Regulations) (EUAHABAJ)

akta.pro secondary industries

Circularity Consulting & Program Management (EPR, Design-for-Circularity, LCA) (EUAIANAH), Product Sustainability & LCA/EPD (Eco-design, PCF) (EUAHAJAF), Certified Compliance & Reporting Services (R2/e-Stewards, Audit, ESG) (BPALAIAL)

Keywords

• Environmental compliance services
• Packaging compliance schemes
• Extended producer responsibility
• Sustainability consulting services
• Regulatory compliance advisory

Headquarters

HQ city

Stratford-upon-avon

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Compliance Scheme Membership: Membership fees for participation in compliance schemes for packaging, WEEE, batteries, and textiles EPR. Members receive regulatory guidance, data management tools, recycling evidence (PRNs), and compliance support.
2. Data and Consulting Services: Value-added services including packaging analysis, data insights, benchmarking, supplier engagement, and sustainability consulting. Fees based on service scope and company size.
3. Recycling Services: Services including waste collection, packaging recycling evidence, WEEEBox, Free Battery Box, Vape Take-Back Scheme, and IT recycling
4. Training and Events: Training programs and events for regulatory compliance education

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Valpak provides environmental compliance scheme memberships and regulatory advisory services to UK and international businesses, primarily for packaging, WEEE, batteries, and textiles under Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations. Its offering is anchored by the UK's largest packaging and product database (65 million SKUs) and the Data Insight Platform, a cloud-based analytical system with modules for EPR cost forecasting, recyclability assessment, supplier management, and carbon reporting. The company also operates the National Cup Recycling Scheme, the Re-Volt zero-emission battery collection service, and the consumer-facing Recycle-More platform with over 35,000 recycling bank locations.

Product overview

Valpak is an environmental compliance specialist offering a comprehensive portfolio of compliance schemes, data analytics platforms, and recycling services. The core offering consists of the Data Insight Platform—a modular system including the Product Data Hub for supplier data management, supported by the RIO Sustainability Platform for tracking initiatives. Key service lines include Packaging Compliance (with a 100% compliance record), WEEE and Batteries Compliance Schemes, Textiles Compliance, and the PPWR Compliance Service for EU regulations. The company operates the Re-Volt zero-emission battery collection service and administers the National Cup Recycling Scheme. Consumer-facing services include the Recycle-More platform with over 35,000 recycling bank locations. Additional offerings span ESG Solutions, Carbon Footprinting, Life Cycle Assessment, Zero Waste to Landfill certification, and the Home Weighing App for packaging data collection. All services are supported by what Valpak describes as the UK's largest packaging and product database, covering 65 million SKUs across 195 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Recycle-More: Consumer recycling information website operated by Valpak, offering recycling advice to schools, householders, and businesses with a unique Recycling Bank Locator tool

Products and services

• Packaging Compliance Scheme Core compliance scheme helping UK and international businesses meet Packaging Waste Regulations, including regulatory submissions, PRN purchasing, data management, and reporting. Valpak maintains a 100% compliance record for members since inception in 1997.
• WEEE Compliance Scheme Compliance scheme for Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment regulations, supporting producers of electrical equipment with WEEE obligations, scheme membership, and compliance evidence.
• Batteries Compliance Scheme Compliance scheme for battery regulations with free battery box collection service, supporting producers in meeting battery compliance obligations and collection targets.
• Textiles Compliance Support for EPR compliance for textiles, including takeback programs, material flow analysis, and preparation for upcoming EU and UK textile EPR legislation.
• PPWR Compliance Service Support service helping businesses understand and meet obligations under the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation, which is effective from August 2026.
• Data Insight Platform Cloud-based data analytics platform capable of rapidly analyzing large volumes of packaging data, with modules including Data Set Overview, Carbon, Packaging Material, Obligation, Packaging Components, Plastic Pact, EPR Cost Forecast, Plastic Packaging Tax, Product View, Recyclability, and Supplier Management. Designed for compliance professionals and sustainability teams managing packaging portfolios at scale.
• RIO Sustainability Platform Sustainability management platform for tracking and managing sustainability initiatives, supporting textile takeback programs, cup recycling tracking, and ESG reporting across business operations.
• Recycle-More Consumer Platform Consumer-facing recycling information website featuring a Recycling Bank Locator tool covering over 35,000 local authority recycling sites, providing recycling advice to households, schools, and businesses across the UK.
• Re-Volt Battery Collection The UK's first zero-emission, award-winning, bike-driven waste battery collection service, eliminating CO2 emissions compared to traditional collection vehicles. Recognized with the National Recycling Awards Partnership Excellence award in 2021.
• National Cup Recycling Scheme National scheme administered by Valpak offering £70 per tonne incentive for paper cup collection, partnering with major brands including Costa Coffee and McDonald's. 188 million disposable cups recycled since April 2018.
• Zero Waste to Landfill Certification Certification service helping businesses achieve zero waste to landfill status, with support for navigating the 2024 Separation of Waste Regulations. Customers include JD Sports Fashion Group.
• ESG Solutions Comprehensive ESG advisory including carbon reduction planning, life cycle assessment, energy optimization, and regulatory guidance across SECR, ESOS, EPR, CBAM, and Net Zero frameworks.
• Carbon Footprinting Services Services for measuring and reporting carbon footprints across product lifecycles, supporting businesses in meeting carbon disclosure and reduction obligations.
• Life Cycle Assessment Data-driven insight into environmental impacts across product lifecycles to support better design and sustainability decisions.
• Horizon Scanning Monitoring service tracking upcoming environmental legislation and regulatory trends globally to help businesses prepare for future changes including EPR, PPWR, and emerging waste regulations.
• Comply Loop Compliance management tool for tracking and managing regulatory compliance obligations across multiple waste streams and regulatory frameworks.
• Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) Structured proprietary methodology for assessing packaging recyclability, used as the data partner for the UK Plastics Pact. Supports businesses in meeting sustainability requirements and recyclability targets.

Quantifiable outcome

• 100% compliance rate maintained for thousands of businesses since Packaging Waste Regulations
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• BiffacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Partnership with Biffa and local councils (Westmorland and Furness, Cumberland) to run county-wide battery recycling challenges for schools in Cumbria. Campaign achieved 70% primary school participation and collected over 2 tonnes of batteries.
• Reconomy GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerReconomy Group is the parent company of Valpak. As part of Reconomy Group, Valpak benefits from group connections and global compliance solutions. Reconomy is described as an innovative, tech-led provider of circular economy-focused services.
• Costa CoffeecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership through National Cup Recycling Scheme, developed in 2018 as a national initiative to significantly increase collection and recycling of paper cups in the UK. Costa Coffee participated alongside McDonald's.
• Ghost Fishing UKminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership to address 'Ghost Gear' (discarded fishing equipment) in Plymouth. Valpak representatives participate in Ghost Fishing expeditions to recover lost fishing equipment from oceans.
• WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSignatory to WRAP's Textiles 2030 voluntary agreement. Valpak serves as data partner for UK Plastics Pact, providing recyclability data and industry insights.
• UK Plastics PactcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerValpak is a data partner for the UK Plastics Pact, providing recyclability assessments and packaging data to support the pact's circular economy goals for plastics.
• Salvation ArmyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership exploring Salvation Army's sorting technology for textile recycling, part of Valpak's textile EPR preparation work.
• ReLondonminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerEngaged by ReLondon (partnership between Mayor of London and London boroughs) for modeling work on circular economy jobs and skills for London's low-carbon future.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Sphera: ESG and product sustainability software vendor with LCA, carbon, and supply chain transparency offerings; competes with Valpak's RIO Sustainability Platform and Data Insight Platform in enterprise sustainability tooling.
• EcoVadis: Global sustainability ratings provider; overlaps with Valpak in ESG reporting, supply chain sustainability, and ratings-driven procurement — adjacent rather than direct compliance scheme competitor.
• Anthesis Group: Sustainability consultancy offering LCA, carbon footprinting, and ESG advisory services that overlap with Valpak's ESG Solutions and Life Cycle Assessment portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Biffa: UK waste management major with integrated compliance scheme services; existing Valpak partnership on battery recycling in Cumbria signals competitive overlap alongside collaboration.
• Viridor: UK recycling, waste, and energy-from-waste operator with producer compliance scheme capabilities; competes with Valpak in packaging compliance and recycling evidence (PRN) trading.
• Veolia Environmental Services UK: Global waste management incumbent operating UK compliance schemes alongside waste collection and treatment infrastructure; competes with Valpak on bundled compliance and recycling offerings.
• Suez Recycling and Recovery UK: International environmental services provider offering UK compliance schemes and waste management; overlaps with Valpak in packaging, WEEE, and recycling evidence services.

Direct peers

• RECOUP: UK-based charity and compliance scheme operator focused on plastics recycling and producer compliance, directly competing with Valpak's packaging compliance scheme and recyclability assessment services.

Regional players

• Green Dot (Der Grüne Punkt): European packaging compliance scheme operator serving multiple EU markets under the Green Dot trademark; competes with Valpak's International Compliance and PPWR services across continental Europe.

Others

• PRO Europe (Packaging Recovery Organisation Europe): European umbrella organisation coordinating packaging recovery organizations; Valpak's Green Dot Licence offering places it in the same ecosystem, though PRO Europe operates as an industry body rather than a direct competitor.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/valpak_ltd
• Facebookfacebook.com/ValpakLimitedUK

Compliance6 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Valpak