NCRS: Beyond the Bin Fund
Overview
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:
- 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)
Applicants must apply on behalf of a company that is registered at Companies House.
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.
Funding Level & Notes
Successful applicants gain access to both funding and industry support:
- Up to £45,000 in project funding
- Access to expert mentors
- Publicity and national promotion
- Opportunities to collaborate with major brands
- The opportunity to realise your project in practice
Whether you're testing a pilot or scaling a proven idea, this fund is designed to help you make a measurable difference in UK cup recycling.
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