Leaders from across the UK plastics value chain will gather in Leeds on 4 March 2026 for The RECOUP Summit, a one-day event focused on advancing a circular economy for plastics. Sponsored by WRAP and Ecosurety, the Summit will bring together stakeholders from materials, packaging, recycling, technology and policy to examine practical steps towards system-wide change.
The event follows the 2025 Summit and will centre on how materials innovation, recycling infrastructure and data-led technologies are reshaping the UK’s approach to plastics circularity. Organisers say the day is designed to move beyond high-level ambition and concentrate on delivery, partnerships and measurable progress.
The shift towards a circular plastics economy requires coordination across the entire value chain. From material design through to collection and reprocessing, the effectiveness of the system depends on alignment between producers, retailers, waste operators and policymakers. The RECOUP Summit aims to provide a forum for these conversations at a time when regulatory and market pressures on plastics are intensifying.
This year’s programme includes expert-led breakout sessions followed by collaborative discussions intended to address shared challenges and identify practical next steps. Session themes include Materials of Tomorrow: Innovation Driving Circular Change, Rebuilding the UK Recycling System, and AI and the Future of Plastics.
The Materials of Tomorrow session will focus on developments in polymer science, packaging design and recyclability. As brands and manufacturers respond to extended producer responsibility reforms and evolving consumer expectations, material choices are increasingly linked to long-term circular performance.
Rebuilding the UK Recycling System will examine the state of national infrastructure and the investment required to improve collection, sorting and reprocessing capacity. With consistency in collections and higher recycling targets forming part of the UK’s policy landscape, infrastructure resilience remains central to achieving circularity goals.
The session on AI and the Future of Plastics will consider how artificial intelligence and data analytics are being used to improve sorting accuracy, reduce contamination and provide better insight into material flows. Digital tools are becoming more prominent in waste management operations, supporting efficiency and transparency across supply chains.
Confirmed contributors include representatives from PepsiCo, Borealis, Enviroo, Reconomy, Sherbourne Recycling, WRAP, Asda and Greyparrot, alongside other organisations active in recycling and resource management. Their participation reflects the cross-sector nature of the discussions, spanning global brands, recyclers, compliance specialists and technology providers.
RECOUP, a UK-based charity focused on plastics resource efficiency and recycling, has positioned the Summit as a working forum for industry collaboration. By bringing together decision-makers from across the plastics system, the event seeks to address operational barriers and identify opportunities for joint action.
Attendance is limited, with ticket sales closing on 24 February 2026. The Summit will take place in Leeds on 4 March 2026, with the full agenda and ticket information available via RECOUP’s website.
As the UK continues to refine its approach to plastics regulation, including reforms aimed at increasing recycling rates and reducing waste, forums such as The RECOUP Summit provide a platform for industry to assess progress and coordinate future activity.
