ABOUT US – WHY APE UK?
About Us – Why APE UK?
APE is a not-for-profit organisation committed to protecting our environment by ensuring farm plastics are recovered and recycled responsibly. Helping farmers and growers to reduce waste and establish more sustainable farming practices.
We don’t collect or recycle plastics but act as the catalyst bringing together farmers, manufacturers, recyclers, retailers, and policymakers.
Our goal is to build partnerships and solutions making recycling agricultural plastics easier, cost effective, and sustainable.
By working collaboratively across industry and government, we’re helping to create a circular system that benefits both the environment and farming.
What is Agriculture
Plastics Environment UK?
APE is the industry-led, not for profit body funded by manufacturers and distributors supplying farmers and growers t o support and increase agri-plastics recycling in the UK.
Our aim is to promote the responsible recovery and recycling of agricultural plastics. Making it easier and more affordable for farmers to manage waste more sustainably.
Our end goal is to create conditions where sustainable farming thrives with agri-plastics playing their key, equally sustainable role.
The Agri-Plastics Issue
Agricultural plastics play a vital role in UK agriculture / horticulture in the sustainable production of all forms of farm produce. However, these benefits are only sustainable if there is an effective, affordable structure in place to help farmers get this used plastic off their farms.
There is also a growing focus from the Government, retailers, and wider society to find ways to reduce the reliance on and increase the recycling and circularity of used plastics. And help reduce agricultures carbon footprint and Scope 3 emissions as a result.
Currently, less than 30% of used agri-plastics are recycled in the UK. This compares to 70-90% in comparable European countries.
Agriculture Plastics Environment UK has supported the collection of 13,868 tonnes (2021-2022) of non-packaging agri-plastics
Plastics recycling in agriculture in 9 steps
Key Current Projects
APE is part of DEFRA’s Circular Economy Taskforce advising on agri-plastics recycling.
APE is working with 4 Rivers for LIFE. A Welsh Government project focussed on cleaning up rivers in South Wales – the project has already collected over 200 tonnes of agri-plastics
APE, in collaboration with UKRI and Harper Adams is organising the first industry conference on agri-plastics to be held on 3 rd February 2026
Our Goals and Commitments
As not for profit, industry led collaboration, our singular objective is to develop affordable, accessible and practical plastics recycling options for UK farmers and growers
Engage with government to support and incentivise agri-plastics recycling.
Support the development of a UK-wide, locally focussed and cost effective agri-plastics recycling service for farmers and growers.
To inform, engage, and motivate the agriculture supply chain – from farmers and industry groups to manufacturers, retailers and policymakers – to support and promote the sustainable use, recovery and recycling of plastics in agriculture and horticulture
Meet Our Team
Ian Creasey
Chief Executive Officer
Bernard Le Moine
APE Europe
Virginie Roell-Lacaille
Development and Organisation
APE Europe
The leading European industry association supporting the sustainable use and recycling of agricultural plastics across Europe
APE Europe is the professional representative body of plastics for agriculture in Europe. APE promotes the technical use of plastics in agriculture and the development of National Collection Schemes for used agri-plastics across Europe, while offering an information exchange platform to its members. Our members constitute 80% of the European Market for agricultural plastic films, bale nets and twines.
Agriculture Plastics Environment UK is a member of APE Europe, and as a result benefits from over 20 years of agri-plastics recycling experience and industry knowledge.
APE launched initially in France 21 years ago. Recycling rates across agri-plastics in France, both hard and soft, are now at over 75% compared to less than 30% in the UK.
