TO BE PUBLISHED August 2025
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Format: DOWNLOADABLE PDF
This conference will which will discuss next steps for waste policy and implementation, and the circular economy in England.
It will bring together stakeholders and policymakers to assess the way forward, particularly in light of key developments, including implementation of the new Extended Producer Responsibility Scheme (pEPR) for packaging, the first phase of the Simpler Recycling scheme in England and a new Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) to be introduced in 2027.
The conference will look ahead to the forthcoming Circular Economy Strategy which is expected to be published in autumn, with aims to integrate and further extend these new initiatives - and be an opportunity consider key issues and preparations for the mandated collection of recyclable waste and weekly food waste collections from all households.
Delegates will discuss priorities for the targeting and use of government support. It comes with government committing to funding for the delivery of all schemes as part of the Local Government settlement in the recent Spending Review. Implications of commitments in the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy will also be assessed, including plans to scale secondary materials markets, remanufacturing, and sustainable product design, and help businesses transition to circular practices through R&D tax credits, skills funding, and investment in repair and reuse hubs.
The Circular Economy Strategy and policy coordination
Discussion will examine priorities for the forthcoming Circular Economy Strategy and the role of the Circular Economy Taskforce in supporting delivery. Delegates will assess alignment of waste policy with wider reforms, including devolution and net zero strategies, and consider how lessons from devolved approaches to recycling, waste reduction, and community engagement might inform implementation in England.
Next steps for recycling, waste tracking and market developments
Sessions will consider priorities for supporting more complex forms of recycling, including for electronics and appliances, and the role of grassroots and voluntary schemes. Delegates will assess implications for business models and investment planning as circular economy principles are more widely adopted, and potential for policy incentives to support expansion of secondary supply chains, reduce reliance on primary extraction, and develop sustainable markets.
There will also be discussion on digital waste tracking, due to become mandatory from April 2026, including cost, data, and regulatory considerations, and how government can balance statutory and voluntary measures in supporting compliance.
pEPR and Simpler Recycling
Discussion will assess key issues in the implementation of the new pEPR scheme, including next steps for the administrator PackUK, integration with existing schemes, and addressing cost and fee structures, particularly for recyclable materials such as glass.
Attendees will consider progress and priorities following the initial rollout of Simpler Recycling, including compliance mechanisms and investment needs. Sessions will examine the Environment Agency’s current consultation on enforcement charges for non-compliant businesses, and wider priorities for businesses - including SMEs - in managing core recyclable waste streams in line with new requirements.
Household collection implementation and consumer engagement
Delegates will assess preparations for the introduction of mandatory weekly food waste collections and standardised recyclable waste collections from all households in England by April 2026.
Discussion will consider local authority readiness, strategies for translating lessons from early implementation, and potential use of digital tools and behavioural insight to support public awareness, engagement and voluntary compliance.
DRS, planning and infrastructure
Further sessions explore priorities ahead of the launch of the new joint Deposit Return Scheme for plastic, aluminium, and steel drinks containers in England and Northern Ireland in 2027.
Attendees will assess implementation issues, including the development of Deposit Management Organisations, VAT treatment, and infrastructure readiness. Delegates will also consider long-term infrastructure needs for delivering the 2035 landfill reduction target, including large-scale recycling capacity, the role of incineration and energy-from-waste, and implications of planning and permitting processes.
Finance and investor confidence
The conference will also consider how public and private finance can support the future of waste management and circular economy delivery. Delegates will examine the scale of investment needed to enable reform, and the role of policy levers - including tax reliefs, subsidies, and government-backed schemes - in building investor confidence and unlocking capital.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices, and more widely. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. As well as key stakeholders, those due to attend include officials from DESNZ; DBT; Ofwat; MHCLG; MOD; DfT; DfE; NISTA; HSE; NAO; MOD; the Isle of Man Government; and the Welsh Government.
