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 on the 1 September 2025, the Beyond the Bin Fund is a £45,000 innovation grant from the National Cup Recycling Scheme, administered by Valpak. The fund supports innovative solutions that increase the recycling or reuse of on-the-go paper cups in the UK.
Here’s everything you need to know. Who’s eligible, the kinds of projects we’re looking for, how to apply, and what support you could receive.
Applicants & focus
Application process
Funding & benefits
How to apply and access guidance
Ready to bring your idea to life? Make sure you’ve read the full guidance before submitting your application. Application Form will open on 1 September 2025.
Download the documents below to get started:
While the Beyond the Bin Fund is new, the Cup Recycling Scheme has supported a range of other initiatives to help increase cup recycling. Examples include the Take It Back campaign in Scotland, which made cup recycling easier in Glasgow and Dundee and Cupround, which trialled convenient at-home collection boxes to boost participation.
FAQs
No this fund is only open to registered businesses.
Applicants must apply on behalf of a company that is registered at Companies House.
Yes applications from partnerships or collaborations are welcome.
However, one lead organisation must take responsibility for the application and hold the funding. That organisation must be a registered company listed on Companies House.
We’re looking for a clear, well-thought-through idea—not a full business plan.
Each section of the application has a word limit, so use that space to tell us:
- Who you are, your organisation’s experience and credibility (150 words)
- What your idea is, and the change you want to make (250 words)
- The core benefit or solution you’re offering for cup recycling (250 words)
- How you’ll deliver the work, who’s involved, and how it meets our goals (500 words)
- How your work aligns with the National Cup Recycling Scheme (150 words)
- Up to three outcomes and how you’ll measure success
We know some projects will be in early stages or co-designed, and that’s okay—just explain your approach to learning and adapting as you go.
Most importantly, show us how your project will have a real-world impact, and how you’ll know whether it’s working.
The fund is designed to support practical, innovative projects that help improve cup recycling. The costs must be necessary to deliver your project and represent good value.
Eligible costs can include:
- Project staff time (including management or delivery roles)
- Materials and equipment directly related to the project
- Design, print, or communications costs
- Venue hire or travel for project delivery
- Data collection, analysis, or evaluation
- Professional fees or expert input (e.g. researchers, designers, developers)
- Reasonable overheads linked to the project
What’s not covered:
- General organisational running costs not linked to the project
- Capital purchases not essential to the project
- Ongoing operational costs after the funding ends
- Costs already covered by other funding sources
If you're not sure whether something is eligible, just get in touch, we’re happy to advise.
Explore our award-winning projects
Take a look at some of our proudest achievements to spark your own inspiration. From innovative recycling initiatives to community-led education programmes, our previous projects have helped drive meaningful change beyond the bin.
These award-winning collaborations showcase what’s possible when creativity, commitment and sustainability come together. Discover the impact and imagine what we can achieve next.
Cupround
Cupround designed a recycling box, made from recycled cups, distributed to 20 stores in Bournemouth, Poole, and Dorchester. Find out how this award winning project recycled 5,120 cups
The National Cup Recycling Scheme partnered with Keep Scotland Beautiful to launch Take It Back, a pioneering pilot in Glasgow and Dundee. See how collective action can drive national change.
Highland and Islands Cup Box
Discover how the National Cup Recycling Scheme and Highland Community Waste Partnership brought paper cup recycling to the Scottish Highlands. A finalist for two national awards.
Plovie App
The Cardiff Plovie App Project uses a simple, incentive-based app to make paper cup recycling easier and more engaging. See how technology can boost everyday recycling
Roadchef Cup Recycling Rollout
Costa Coffee, McDonald’s UK, and Roadchef joined forces to fund a nationwide cup recycling programme across all 30 Roadchef motorway service areas. See how major brands are collaborating for impact
This new fund is a major investment to encourage innovation in cup recycling infrastructure and reuse. We are hoping to trigger scalable ideas that will make a real difference in the future.”
Hannah Osman, Scheme Manager
