Plastic recycling charity RECOUP stated its inaugural summit on 30 April in Leeds was a convincing success. The occasion, sponsored by WRAP and Ecosurety, appeared to affirm the message that the mandatory expertise is offered, however what’s wanted is “more innovation and collaboration with industry and government support to ensure we deliver on the promise of a plastic circular economy”.
Centered on developments in expertise that may assist to drive enhancements within the plastics recycling and useful resource effectivity worth chain, the occasion hosted attendees from throughout the plastics worth chain.
The morning kicked off with a centered session on superior recycling applied sciences, the place audio system together with Geoff Brighty from Mura Expertise, Emmeline Aves of ReVentas, and Sam Pine from Greyparrot, who shared examples of innovation they stated was remodeling the sector and facilitating the round financial system. Shows ensued on a wide range of out there options together with low carbon dissolution recycling, scalable chemical recycling approaches and AI-based waste intelligence instruments. The message gave the impression to be: expertise is offered now – however its deployment relies on supportive infrastructure, coverage alignment, and business funding.
One other breakout session zeroed in on meals contact packaging, exploring how innovation is enhancing recycled content material in excessive finish purposes. Audio system included Jeremy Blake from Amcor, David Bargery from Regis Equipment, and Paul Marshall from Nextek – these displays addressed the trade’s regulatory, legislative, and value hurdles. The session lined options for producing meals grade recycled polypropylene (PP), the removing of contaminants from recycled supplies and options for changing movies again into food-grade materials. RECOUP stated this session made it clear that with the fitting applied sciences and collaborative effort, we are able to break down current obstacles and notice greater ranges of food-contact recycled content material.
Within the closing breakout session, the dialog turned to the position of information within the round financial system – its energy, its gaps, and its position in delivering a real round financial system. Sophie Walker from Dsposal, Rachel Warren from Re-universe, and Will Addy from Polytag, got here collectively to focus on the necessity for good information, stressing how upcoming laws and new targets require information from the sector to benchmark supply and progress. It was very obvious all through the session that inefficient information gathering programs and inaccurate information can hamper progress, nonetheless, with efficient and correct information we are able to make higher and extra knowledgeable decisions that play an enormous position in delivering a round financial system for plastics and packaging supplies.
The day culminated in a dynamic collaborative session led by Robbie Staniforth (Ecosurety), the place panellists together with Liz Wildman (MARS), Steve Walsh (TOMRA), James Donaldson (Sortology), Angela Doyle (Robinson Packaging), and Paul Mayhew (MBA Polymers). The panel tackled among the sector’s thorniest points: infrastructure gaps, technical limitations, greenwashing, and the truth of shopper engagement. The panel referred to as for smarter packaging design, funding into system resilience, and the necessity to make recycled plastics commercially viable. Nonetheless, it was additionally famous that actual progress requires greater than particular person motion, reinforcing the significance of joined-up motion throughout trade, authorities, and innovators, backed by clear coverage indicators, focused funding, and infrastructure funding. If we come collectively to bridge gaps and technical challenges throughout trade we are able to permit the plastic round financial system to flourish.
The RECOUP Summit “underscored the critical need for aligned innovation, policy, and investment to drive meaningful progress in plastics recycling and the circular economy”, stated the group.
