Sustainability
From Plastic to Beyond
Our built environment desperately needs more circular material solutions. And simultaneously, more and more waste is being produced by the minute. What began with plastics for us has now evolved to reimagine more matter than ever before. Through innovation, fostering collaboration, and prioritising conscious consumerism, we are here to support you in building a brighter future, together.
Inspiring Progress
For over 30 years, we’ve been innovating with waste. Born from a desire to rethink materials and disrupt linear systems, Smile Materials has continually pushed the boundaries of what’s possible with recycled plastic. Today, our panels are specified in some of the world’s most forward-thinking projects, and we continue to evolve our processes, technologies and systems to lead the way in regenerative design.
Collaboration
We work closely with designers, architects and brands to realise circular design in practice. Whether it’s advising on specifications, co-developing material solutions, or supporting local not-for-profit groups, we approach each project as a partnership, combining our material knowledge with your creative vision.
Sharing Insights
Transparency is central to our process. We share what we learn because we believe open dialogue drives better outcomes for people and planet. Our team regularly contributes to industry discussions, offers guidance on working with recycled materials, and supports clients in communicating the sustainability credentials of their projects.
pioneers in circularity
When Smile Plastics pressed its first 100% recycled and recyclable panel in the 1990s, reimagining waste felt radical. What others saw as disposable, we saw as a possibility. Today, Smile Plastics continues as a flagship category of Smile Materials – turning waste into design-led, high-performance surfaces. Here’s a snapshot of the circular systems we’ve built.
With Plastic it Began
Of the 400 million tonnes of plastic the world produces every year, less than 9% is currently recycled. We started our mission to change this. But just focusing on plastic wasn’t enough. We knew we needed to extend our remit to divert other ample waste streams. Smile Fibres tackles the mountains of textile waste which could otherwise wash up on our shores.
By diverting pre- and post- consumer waste from landfill and turning it into beautiful decorative panels for the architecture and interior design industry, seeing our off-cuts as opportunities and following a zero-waste production model; at Smile Materials, sustainability – in its truest sense – is what we’re made of.
SMILE PLASTICS
Introducing Our EPDS For hips and Pet Materials
We’re proud to share our Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) Summary Report, independently verifying the benefits of choosing our HIPS and PET recycled plastic panels. These results confirm what we’ve always championed: our Smile Plastics panels are among the lowest-carbon options on the market. Securing EPDs is proof of our commitment to measurable, impactful sustainability, helping you specify smarter materials for workplaces, hospitality, co-living and BTR projects, and beyond.
Buy-back Scheme
We follow a zero-waste production model where every offcut is seen as an opportunity. Any waste generated during manufacture or cutting is fed back into our process, ensuring nothing is lost. Our Smile Plastics panels are made from recycled raw material, with no additives, binders or resin, making them 100% recyclable. If you no longer have use for your Smile Plastics surfaces, they can be recycled through normal local channels, or returned to us through our buy-back scheme. We’ll rework offcuts and end-of-life panels into new decorative surfaces, closing the loop and ensuring the material can someone else’s day in the future.
Efficiency in Every Panel
From raw material to factory gate, our panels use a fraction of the water consumed by manufacturers using primary (virgin) materials.
Designed To Do More With Less
By working with recycled materials, our production uses far fewer natural resources, helping preserve the planet’s minerals and ecosystems.
Healthy, Sustainable Surfaces
We test all ‘at-risk’ plastics for Persistent Organic Pollutants to ensure REACH compliance. Our panels meet Indoor Air Comfort GOLD (VOCs below measurable thresholds), and our matt factory finish needs no sanding, reducing microplastic pollution.
Certified for Quality, Committed to Sustainability
Our UK site is certified to ISO 9001 and ISO 14001, meeting global standards for quality and environmental management. With a zero-waste model and independently verified low-VOC materials, we build sustainability into every step. Our Quality Assurance team works closely with suppliers to drive continuous improvement, giving you confidence in the performance, reliability, and responsibility of our materials and services.