Beyond the Bin Fund: Funding the Future of Cup Recycling
22nd August 2025
Got a game changing idea to recycle or reuse cups?
Do you have a bold idea that could transform how we recycle or reuse paper cups? The Beyond the Bin Fund offers up to £45,000 to bring your vision to life. Contribute to lasting change in cup reuse and recycling.
What is the Beyond the Bin Fund?
Opening 1 September 2025, the Beyond the Bin Fund is a £45,000 innovation grant from the National Cup Recycling Scheme (NCRS), administered by Valpak. The fund supports innovative solutions that increase the recycling or reuse of on-the-go paper cups in the UK.
Who can apply?
The Beyond the Bin Fund is open to a wide range of UK based organisations ready to make a real impact.
- Businesses and brands (e.g. coffee chains, retailers, venues)
- Local authorities and councils
- Universities and research institutions
- Startups and social enterprises
- Collaborations and partnerships (with one lead applicant)
Focus area
- Awareness campaigns
Bold, creative behaviour change projects that promote cup recycling in workplaces, events or public spaces. - Recycling infrastructure improvements
Groundbreaking innovations to enhance cup collection, return, and sortation at shopping centres, travel hubs, hospitality venues, or other high-footfall locations. - Research projects
High-quality, novel research addressing strategically important challenges in paper cup recycling, such as improving recyclability, recovery rates, environmental performance, or evaluating the feasibility of collection through household recycling schemes.
