RECOUP Appoints New Vice Chair to Strengthen Leadership and Strategic Direction

RECOUP, the UK’s leading independent authority and trusted voice on plastic circularity is pleased to announce the appointment of Adrian Whyle as Vice Chair of the Board.

In this role, Adrian will support and guide RECOUP’s strategic and practical initiatives, strengthen governance, and help drive genuine collaboration and forward thinking across the whole plastics value chain. Adrian brings over 35 years’ international experience in the speciality chemicals and plastics industry, across a wide variety of roles. The appointment reflects RECOUP’s ongoing commitment to leadership excellence and delivering the longstanding aims of the organisation.

Adrian commented ‘I have supported RECOUP for many years as a Board member, and really looking forward to seeing how far the network can push plastic circularity in the coming years. I hope to play a key role in working with industry and charity partners, members, and stakeholders to advance RECOUP’s mission.’

RECOUP chair Jim Armstrong added ‘Adrian is very well known and respected across business, academia and government, and I am delighted that he has taken on the Vice Chair role. His extensive experience and strategic perspective will be invaluable as we continue to build stronger connections across the plastics value chain and enhance our impact in delivering circular plastics systems while reducing impacts on the environment. I would also like to thank Glyn Staines who steps down as Vice Chair for his hard work and support over the past five years.’

The next key RECOUP event will be the Leeds Summit on 4th March, and they will also be exhibiting and presenting at the Packaging Innovations & Empack 2026 trade show on 11th and 12th February at the Birmingham NEC.

Collaboration, Insight, and Ambition: Accelerating Circularity in the UK at The RECOUP Summit

The transition to a circular plastics economy cannot happen in isolation. It demands collaboration across materials, infrastructure, technology and policy.

On 4 March 2026, The RECOUP Summit returns to Leeds, bringing together leaders, innovators, and decision-makers from across the plastics, packaging, and recycling value chain for a focused day of discussion on the systems, technologies and partnerships needed to accelerate circularity in the UK.

Following a successful 2025 event, the 2026 Summit will examine how innovation in materials, advances in recycling infrastructure and the growing role of data and AI can support more resilient and effective circular systems. The programme features a series of expert-led breakout sessions, followed by a collaborative afternoon discussion designed to address shared challenges and future opportunities.

Session themes include:

• Materials of Tomorrow: Innovation Driving Circular Change
• Rebuilding the UK Recycling System
• AI and the Future of Plastics

The Summit will feature contributions from organisations including Borealis, Enviroo, Brightgreen, Sherbourne Recycling, Asda, WRAP, and Woodly, alongside other businesses and stakeholders actively shaping the future of recycling and resource efficiency.

With a strong emphasis on practical insight and cross-sector collaboration, The RECOUP Summit provides a forum for open dialogue on how the industry can move beyond ambition and towards delivery.

Attendance is limited, with places capped to support meaningful discussion and engagement.

Location | Leeds
Date | 4 March 2026

For further information, including the full agenda and ticket details, visit:
https://www.recoup.org/news-events/the-recoup-summit/

New Costume Swap Toolkit Helps Communities Prepare for World Book Day Sustainably

With World Book Day coming up in March, Rstuff has launched a new Costume Swap Toolkit to help schools, parents, and community groups reduce cost and waste while still celebrating reading in style.

World Book Day costumes are often worn just once and made from materials that are hard to recycle, creating waste and extra cost for families. The new toolkit makes it easy to organise local costume swaps, giving families access to a wide range of book-inspired outfits without the expense or environmental impact of buying new.

The Costume Swap Toolkit provides practical, step-by-step guidance, including planning tips, promotional materials, and event checklists, making it simple for anyone to host a successful swap ahead of World Book Day.

“World Book Day should be about inspiring children to love stories, while also reducing environmental impact of this event where possible,” said Katherine Fleet , Head of Sustainability & Circularity at RECOUP “Costume swaps are a fun, creative way to aid celebrations that involve dressing up whilst saving money and reducing waste.”

By encouraging reuse and sharing, costume swaps help:

• Cut down on single-use costumes

• Save families money

• Build stronger, more connected communities

The toolkit is free to access at:
Https://rstuff.uk/community/