The RECOUP Plastics Assembly | Solutions for a Circular Economy

Join leaders from across the plastics value chain to to address the regulatory, environmental, and market pressures shaping the future of plastics. View the full agenda

✔ Practical insights
✔ Cross-sector collaboration
✔ Networking opportunities

1 October 2026 | Holiday Inn – Peterborough West | Peterborough

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Introducing The Innovation Room

A dedicated space where companies, researchers, and universities showcase cutting-edge materials, technologies, processes, and ideas driving progress towards a circular economy for plastics.

If you would like to be considered for a stand please get in touch with us.

Get in Touch

View the Agenda

9 am Registration & Breakfast

9:30 am Welcome

10:15 am Breakout Sessions. Join one of our 3 sessions

Designing Plastic Products for a Circular Future

Recycling Infrastructure for Circular Plastics

Who Drives Circular Behaviour – Rethinking Responsibility?

11:15am Break

11:45 am Breakout Sessions. Join one of our 3 sessions

The Future of Materials: Sustainable Plastics, Plastic Alternatives, Composites & Beyond

Stopping Plastic Pollution: Tackling Litter, Leakage & Waste Crime

The Policy Landscape

12:45 pm Lunch

2:15 pm Afternoon Session

Solutions for a Circular Economy

3.45 pm Closing Thoughts

A dynamic panel discussion to explore how short and long life plastic products can be redesigned for recycling, repair, and reuse. The speakers will also examine practical strategies for tackling hard to recycle plastics and share cross industry insights to accelerate a more circular, sustainable plastics economy.

This panel discussion focuses on what is needed to support circularity for all plastics. Industry leaders, policymakers, and recycling specialists will explore how collection systems, infrastructure investment, incentives, and cross sector partnerships can unlock real progress. The conversation will examine what conditions are required to close the loop at scale and who must collaborate to make circular design and consumer actions truly effective.

This panel discussion will unpack how responsibility is shared across the value chain and what effective, honest communication looks like in a world striving for more circular, low waste systems. It will explore the complex question of who holds responsibility for driving sustainable behaviour and changing the status quo – policymakers, brands, retailers, consumers or someone else. Bringing together experts, this panel will examine who has the power to drive change and what role consumers can realistically play within systems shaped by the supply chain.

This panel brings together material innovators, brands, and sustainability experts to explore the evolving landscape of materials innovation. Speakers will discuss the potential of next generation materials, their real world performance, end of life pathways, and the challenges of scaling them responsibly within a circular system.

Speakers:

Dr Jen Vanderhoven, CEO, Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA)

This panel explores the drivers behind plastics entering the environment, from everyday littering to largescale waste crime and systemic gaps in waste management. Bringing together voices from enforcement, industry, policy, and environmental organisations, the discussion will examine who should be responsible for addressing each part of the problem and what coordinated actions are needed to prevent plastic leakage at its source.

This panel will unpack the current and emerging policies shaping the transition to a circular plastics economy. Bringing together policy and industry experts, this session will explore how regulation is evolving, what upcoming strategies mean for businesses and supply chains, and where policy can most effectively drive systemic change. Panellists will examine where policy is working, where gaps remain, and how regulation can better enable circular systems.

A focused discussion on practical pathways to circularity, exploring product redesign, reuse opportunities, improved recovery and recycling, and stronger circular business models. The panel will highlight cross sector best practices and show how regulatory shifts, innovation, and shared learning can accelerate systemwide progress.

Speakers:

Sam Jones, Director Sustainability and Policy, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Great Britain

Join the conversation with the people driving real change. More speakers to be announced!

Dr Jen Vanderhoven is CEO of the Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA), a biotechnology leader with 20+ years’ experience spanning R&D, commercial strategy, and sustainable innovation. She champions bio-based materials, circular bioeconomy policy, and strategic partnerships to drive positive environmental and industry transformation.

Dr Jen Vanderhoven CEO, Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA)

Sam has 15 years of experience creating, driving and leading sustainability programmes. He joined Coca Cola Europacific Partners in 2021 to lead on climate and sustainability in GB, having previously worked for the FTSE 100-listed DS Smith where he established their industry-leading ‘Now and Next’ sustainability strategy. Since joining, he has been instrumental in the introduction of attached caps to CCEP products and has spearheaded many industry-leading projects. Recognising the need to align internal efforts on sustainability with public advocacy, Sam’s role has evolved to take on more responsibility for CCEP GB’s public affairs activities, with an immediate focus on an interoperable GB Deposit Return Scheme. Sam has a background in Geography and is currently studying for an MSt in Sustainability Leadership with the Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership.

Sam Jones Director, Sustainability and Policy, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners Great Britain

Learn directly from the people shaping plastic circularity

Gain practical, real‑world insights into designing plastics for circularity and improving reuse, repair, and recycling outcomes.

Understand what infrastructure, investment, and partnerships are needed to build a more effective UK recycling system.

Explore new materials, technologies, and research driving next‑generation circularity in The Innovation Room.

Learn how policy, communication, and shared responsibility shape behaviour change and progress toward a circular plastics economy.

The RECOUP Awards & Networking Dinner

The RECOUP Awards recognise and celebrate excellence in plastics resource efficiency and recycling and organisations leading a more circular plastics value chain.

Enter for FREE by 26 June 2026 and book your ticket to join us for an evening of celebrations!

Find Out More

Frequently asked questions

The Plastics Assembly will be held on the 1st October 2026, at Holiday Inn – Peterborough West, Peterborough

9am arrival – 4pm finish

For directions please visit The Holiday Inn website by clicking here

Yes, please get in touch with us to discuss sponsorship options.

The dress code is smart casual.

The RECOUP Plastics Assembly has The Innovation Room, A dedicated space where companies, researchers, and universities showcase cutting-edge materials, processes, and ideas driving progress towards a circular economy for plastics. If you would like to be considered for a stand please get in touch with us.