Building a Circular Future: Industry Leaders Unite at The RECOUP Conference
The RECOUP Conference once again brought together leading voices from packaging, recycling, finance, and policy to examine how the UK, and beyond, can move closer to true plastic circularity.
Opening the event, Jeremy Blake of PackUK described 2025 as a pivotal year for the packaging landscape. With new legislation set to reshape the sector, he emphasised the opportunity to cut emissions, reduce waste, and design a packaging system that delivers benefits for both businesses and communities.
The first session, chaired by Dr Adam Read MBE, SUEZ, with speakers from Barclays, Biffa Polymers, DOW, Tesco, ReLondon and Nestlé UK, examined whether the UK can realistically achieve plastic circularity. The panel agreed that progress is possible, but only with decisive action combined with the right strategy. Much of the debate focused on how the industry balances ambition with pragmatism with discussion focused on tackling difficult-to-recycle materials, investing in innovation, and developing reuse models, while also ensuring that existing solutions are not overlooked. Speakers stressed that waiting for future technologies risks slowing momentum and that the industry should be “using what we have now” and addressing why so much UK plastic is still exported. Finance was also highlighted as a key enabler, with speakers reminding delegates that sustainability and profitability can go hand in hand. Ultimately, the discussion underscored the need for clear national strategy, fair accountability across the packaging lifecycle, and greater investment in solutions.
Session two looked beyond the UK to examine international models. Chaired by Joachim Quoden of EXPRA, joined by panellists from DROP-IN, Repak, Greenback Recycling Technologies, University of Portsmouth, Amcor, Coperion Recycling and WRAP, the session drew on global experiences of Extended Producer Responsibility, taxation schemes, and Deposit Return Systems. Speakers noted that while national contexts differ, the challenges are often remarkably similar and whilst it can be extremely difficult to accept advice from other countries, we can learn a lot by doing so. Innovations such as chemical and dissolution recycling, alongside certification and traceability systems, were identified as essential to building trust and scaling solutions. The session explored how experiences from other countries show that isolated changes to waste management systems often fail to achieve their intended outcomes, creating unexpected complications. The panel agreed that the UK has an opportunity to implement an evidence-based circular strategy by aligning infrastructure, incentives, and enforcement. Speakers also pointed to the need for policies that encourage collaboration as well as the importance of building trust, aligning systems, and investing in scalable infrastructure to ensure real circularity.
The final session, “Plastic Fact vs Plastic Fiction – The Plastic Paradox,” chaired by Rowan Byrne, WSP alongside speakers from Viridor, Waitrose, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners, Faerch, CIWM and Birmingham University, addressed public perceptions, addressing the myths and misconceptions surrounding plastics. Panellists agreed that plastic itself is not inherently harmful – the real challenge is in its mismanagement. The discussion highlighted the growing concern around microplastics, the fragility of domestic recycling infrastructure following the closure of 22% of UK facilities since 2023, and the need to invest in systems that can keep resources in circulation. Public appetite for recycling remains strong, and the forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme is expected to lift recycling rates to 70%, supported by significant private investment. At the same time the panel expressed that misinformation and clickbait reporting were seen as barriers to progress, with calls for the industry to work more closely with the media to share positive, fact-based stories.
Across all sessions, three consistent themes emerged: the need for greater collaboration across borders and sectors, the importance of accelerating investment in innovation and infrastructure, and the central role of public trust. As the conference made clear, plastic is here to stay – but with the right systems, it can remain a valuable resource rather than a persistent waste problem.
Find out more about RECOUP and the work they do at recoup.org
