The RECOUP Conference – Leading a More Circular Plastics Value Chain Returns for 2025

The highly anticipated RECOUP Conference will return on 25 September 2025 at the KingsGate Conference Centre in Peterborough, sponsored by leading organisations including Amcor, WRAP, and Ecosurety. Recognised as the UK’s premier platform dedicated to plastics resource efficiency and recycling, the conference will once again gather stakeholders from across the plastics value chain to drive forward the transition to a circular economy.

With mounting pressure across the industry, The RECOUP Conference 2025 arrives at a critical moment. The event will spotlight the innovations, policies, and partnerships needed to achieve true circularity in plastics. Attendees will benefit from expert-led discussions, policy updates, and practical insights designed to accelerate sustainable transformation across the sector.

Three Key Thematic Sessions:

This year’s agenda is built around three sessions that delve into the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing the plastics industry:

• Can Plastic Circularity in the UK Ever Really Be Achieved? Over the past decade, the UK has struggled to turn plastic circularity ambitions into action. Amid ongoing market challenges and policy shifts, this session brings together industry leaders to explore what real progress looks like and how to achieve it. Discussions will cover investment, innovation, policy, infrastructure, and practical solutions to strengthen the UK’s circular plastics future.
• Plastic Fact vs Plastic Fiction – The Plastic Paradox. Since Sir David Attenborough brought the issue of plastic pollution to the mainstream with the Blue Planet documentary 8 years ago, there has been a non-stop flow of evidence, opinions and research regarding the positioning and use of plastics, and impact on the environment. This session explores the current thinking and direction, the UK role in research and engagement, greenwashing (and hushing), material innovation and preferences, and how companies and organisations are striving to make a difference.
• Achieving Plastic Circularity Systems – A Global Perspective. What are the big solutions and key learnings outside of the UK when it comes to Plastic Circularity? This session takes a closer look at the systems, policies, solutions and challenges beyond the UK. Through open dialogue, the session aims to uncover how international learning and collaboration can help move plastics circularity and governance forward.

These sessions aim to challenge assumptions, provoke meaningful debate, and identify clear pathways forward for stakeholders ranging from manufacturers and recyclers to retailers and regulators.

A Line-up of Influential Industry Voices:

The conference will feature a powerful roster of keynote speakers including:

• Carlos Ludlow-Palafox, Greenback Recycling Technologies
• Clover Walton, Faerch UK Ltd
• Dr David Greenfield, CIWM
• Denise Mathieson, Waitrose
• Joachim Quoden, EXPRA
• Paula Chin, WWF
• Steve Fletcher, University of Portsmouth
• Rosie Bartram, Coca-Cola Europacific Partners
• Tim Rotheray, Viridor
• Zoe Kavanagh, REPAK
• Dana Clouston, Barclays

These thought leaders will offer a comprehensive perspective on the advancements and challenges in the plastics circularity journey, both in the UK and globally.

Why Attend?

• Network with hundreds of professionals across packaging, recycling, retail, academia, and policy.
• Gain exclusive insights into the latest trends, technologies, and regulatory developments shaping plastics circularity.
• Participate in lively debates and collaborative discussions that influence future practices and policies.
• Discover real-world case studies and pioneering initiatives driving impact in plastics recovery and reuse.

“The RECOUP Conference is where real dialogue happens between those shaping the future of plastics,” said Stuart Foster, CEO of RECOUP. “This year, we continue to lead the conversation on circularity, sustainability, and resource efficiency, driving progress and inspiring action across the industry.”

Secure your place at The RECOUP Conference 2025 and help shape the future of a truly circular plastics value chain.

Register now: https://www.recoup.org/news-events/the-recoup-conference-2025

Longstanding Sustainability & Circular Economy Consultants PPS and Oakdene Hollins Join Forces to Form Powerful Alliance

Peterborough based sustainability and circular economy experts PPS Independent Consultants has formed a powerful new alliance with another leading sustainability consultancy Oakdene Hollins.

Both organisations have been actively working in the environment, resources and sustainability space for many years, with PPS also delivering the work of national plastics circular economy charity RECOUP.

Stuart Foster who leads the group said “this is a win win win for the three organisations who will continue to deliver excellent science and data driven consultancy, project management and research projects for local, national and international clients. From resources management, re-use and recycling to carbon accounting, lifecycle assessments and sustainability strategies, this is an important time for all companies to understand and practically deliver on sustainability and circular economy aims and targets, and we can help them on that journey.”

PPS, Oakdene Hollins, and RECOUP have each built strong reputations since the early 1990’s and are now positioned as one of the UK’s most capable and knowledgeable sustainability consultancies driven by a trusted team of experts and associates. PPS has long provided strategic and practical support to the public and private sector, packaging, and waste management industries. Oakdene Hollins also brings particular strengths in the manufacturing, furniture, and automotive sectors.

“Oakdene Hollins expertise is second to none and has proven itself time and again in helping businesses reduce their impact on the environment,” said former Managing Director Simon Scholes. “I have known PPS and RECOUP for many years and collaborated with Stuart on various projects. In my view, he is the best person to take Oakdene Hollins to the next level at this exciting time.”

Stuart Foster added “Building on the existing network of projects, customers and funders, the expanded team can now offer businesses an even more comprehensive, accessible, data and value-driven range of environmental services. The strengthened team will help UK and international clients across diverse sectors understand, implement and measure effective sustainability and circular economy strategies and programmes.”

RECOUP Awards entry deadline only 1 month away!

With only 1 month left to enter the prestigious RECOUP Awards 2025, RECOUP, the leading independent authority and trusted voice on plastics resource efficiency and recycling, is urging all organisations and individuals in the plastics value chain to submit their entries before the deadline on 27 June. The awards are FREE to enter with entries welcome from all relevant organisations and individuals looking to be recognised for their work and initiatives under the following award categories:

• Plastics Industry Champion – Recognises an individuals’ achievements in the plastics industry, particularly in relation to recycling and resource efficiency measures.
• Plastics Circularity Project of the Year – Spotlights innovative and forward-thinking initiatives that significantly contribute to the industry’s ability to drive meaningful change for the plastics circular economy.
• Best Innovation in Equipment or Technology – This award will be presented to the business or organisation which can show how it has developed a new (or evolved an existing) technology or piece of equipment to improve the collection, sorting, reprocessing or re-use of plastics.
• Best Plastic Product Development for Recyclability or Re-Use – Aims to raise awareness and showcase the latest packaging and product innovations and designs that improve or encourage recyclability or re-use.
• Recycled Plastic Product of the Year – Showcases new product innovations and designs for plastic packaging or products containing recycled content.

Beyondly, sponsors of the 2025 RECOUP Awards & Dinner,commented “Beyondly are delighted to be sponsoring the RECOUP Awards and the role they play in fostering a more sustainable and circular plastics value chain and celebrating excellence in resource efficiency.

The organisations and individuals entering these awards are demonstrating a strong commitment to innovation, sustainability, and leadership within the plastics industry. The awards are a fantastic opportunity to showcase impactful achievements such as pioneering recycling and resource efficiency efforts, advancing the circular economy through groundbreaking projects, and developing new or improved technologies and equipment that enhance plastic collection, sorting, reprocessing, and reuse.

We are honoured to support RECOUP’s important mission in celebrating innovative and inspiring initiatives that are advancing plastic circularity and contributing to a more sustainable future. We wish every entrant the very best of luck! “

The awards will be presented at the RECOUP Awards & Pre-conference Networking Dinner on Wednesday 24 September 2025, at the Holiday Inn, Peterborough West and will recognise and celebrate the innovative and inspiring projects, products and initiatives that have helped to drive the circularity of plastics for a more sustainable future. To apply for the awards and book your ticket to the celebration dinner, please visit the RECOUP website. If you have any questions or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact RECOUP at enquiry@recoup.org .

Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I invests £6m in sustainability makeover for Lucozade Energy

New bottle design will save 956 tonnes of plastic annually, enhance recyclability and support the circular economy.

14th May 2025, Coleford, UK: Lucozade producer Suntory Beverage & Food GB&I (SBF GB&I) has invested £6.3 million in a major packaging redesign for Lucozade Energy bottles, significantly reducing plastic use and supporting the efficient recycling of its bottles.

Lucozade Energy bottles will now feature a half sleeve that covers just 50% of the bottle height compared to previous full-length sleeves. This results in a 60% reduction in the total sleeve weight, removing 956 tonnes of new plastic per year. The changes also reduce water use during production, equivalent to an Olympic-sized swimming pool every 289 days.

The project involved installing new sleeves with the latest technology across three different production lines in SBF GB&I’s factory in Coleford. The work took a collective 470 working days, delivered in only six weeks.

Karl Ottomar, Supply Chain Director, SBF GB&I, comments: “As one of the biggest energy brands in the UK, producing over 3,000 bottles of Lucozade Energy per minute, this has been a complex and large-scale change for our factory. While reducing a drink’s sleeve size may sound simple, it has required a full redesign of the bottle and complete change in componentry on our production lines. The team have dedicated thousands of hours to plan and then successfully implement the changes on our lines and I’m so proud of their incredible commitment to this project and helping us meet our sustainability goals.”

Fraser McIntosh, Head of External Affairs and Sustainability, SBF GB&I comments: “This change marks a significant step forward in our journey towards achieving 100% sustainable plastic packaging across our portfolio by 2030. At a time when we face increasing cost pressures as a business, we continue to prioritise sustainability, demonstrating our company value of Growing for Good. It’s another major investment in our factory, helping to build a sustainable future for our brands and the home where they are made.”

The changes are also important for the recyclability of Lucozade Energy bottles as the reduced sleeve continues to support bottle to bottle recycling. It ensures the bottle can be sorted into the clear plastics stream at recycling facilities allowing it to be recovered to create new bottles again.

Paul East, Head of Packaging Recycling and Design at RECOUP endorses the move: “RECOUP are proud to have been part of the journey to redesign the Lucozade Energy bottle. This new design meets recyclability guidelines, meaning the bottles can be easily sorted at recycling centres and reduces the amount of overall plastic produced. The next step is to encourage more consumers to dispose of the bottles correctly, in the certainty that the bottle will be detected and recycled.”

This latest project is not only important for SBF GB&I’s sustainable packaging commitments but also its emission reduction targets and journey to net zero. Packaging accounts for 15.5% of the company’s Scope 3 emissions and a removal of 956 tonnes of plastic a year helps towards its goal of reducing these emissions by 30% by 2030.

The packaging evolution for Lucozade Energy follows similar changes to the sleeve length made to Ribena bottles in 2020 and Lucozade Sport in 2021. SBF GB&I has invested a total of £11.3m over five years to support the development of its sustainable packaging as it collaborates with industry to achieve a circular economy for plastics, work that includes advocating for and delivering a DRS in the UK by October 2027.

The new Lucozade Energy bottles will also feature a new ergonomic embossed design showcasing Lucozade’s iconic “Arc” logo, enhancing both brand recognition and bottle texture. The new bottles are now rolling out in store.