Revolution Plastics Parliamentary Reception

RECOUP were back in the House of Commons Terrace Pavillion on Tuesday, this time for the Revolution Plastics afternoon tea reception  UK Leadership in Tackling Global Plastic Pollution.  A great session which included updates from Professor Steve Fletcher from Revolution Plastics Institute and Dr Antaya March Global Plastics Policy Centre,   both based out of the University of Portsmouth. This was followed by a panel discussion including Chris Dixon from the Environmental Investigation Agency, Cath Conway from GoUnpackaged, Alistair Carmichael MP (and EFRA committee chair), and Luis Vayas Valdivieso – Ecuadorian Ambassador to the UK and former Chair of the Global Plastic Treaty’s intergovernmental negotiating committee.

Some interesting insights into the UK role in the global work to reduce and prevent plastic pollution, and the global plastic treaty developments. It also re-enforced the need to move up the waste hierarchy, better alignment, and delivery on commitments from all sectors.  We definitely agree there is more to be done and the UK can show leadership in this space. Also agree that voluntary commitments can only take us so far.  We will also continue to strongly disagree when recycling is touted as not part of the circular solution by some !

We look forward to working more closely with the Revolution Plastics Institute in 2026.