Morning, Wednesday, 20th November 2024
Online
This conference will discuss the transition to a circular economy for plastic waste in England, with a focus on next steps for the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR).
With Defra recently confirming that - rather than fast-tracking the DRS launch - it will instead stick to the previous deadline of October 2027, as well as providing a clear strategy for DRS, delegates will assess the roadmap for operationalisation of the scheme and priorities for action, as well as coordination on waste and DRS schemes across the UK.
In light of the new Government’s pledge to reduce waste by moving to a circular economy, it will be a timely opportunity for key stakeholders and policymakers to discuss the direction of policy and priorities going forward.
Looking at priorities in preparation for the country’s packaging EPR scheme, areas for discussion include:
- effects of the newly announced illustrative base fees for EPR and what this means for businesses and industry going forward
- approaches to utilising the delay until 2025 to resolve certain aspects of the scheme, such as refining the regulatory system for EPR to enable its functioning across the value chain
- priorities for the EPR Steering Group moving forward, including providing clarity for stakeholders, enabling effective consultation, and supporting the design and mobilisation of the scheme
- establishing what constitutes household waste and addressing how different material life cycles can be accommodated in EPR
- implications of the scheme for SMEs
- advancing technology and innovation to enable EPR to be exercised by producers, as well as to develop performance across the recycling chain and reduce costs
We are pleased to be able to include keynote sessions with: Harshal Gore, Head, Strategy and External Relations, EPR, Defra; Dr Colin Church, CEO, Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining; Ciaran Foley, CEO, Re-turn; Jordan Girling, Head, Extended Producer Responsibility, WRAP; Prof Peter Hopkinson, Professor, Circular Economy, University of Exeter; and Co-Director, Exeter Centre for the Circular Economy; and Dr Geoff Mackey, Country Manager, UK, Plastics Europe.
With a further focus on implementation of an effective DRS across sectors in England, delegates will assess:
- practicalities for ensuring the interoperability of different DRS schemes throughout the UK, and implications of different approaches in the context of global plastic treaty negotiations
- priorities for cooperation between central government and the devolved administrations which enable a coordinated approach to recycling and waste reduction
- insights into Ireland’s newly launched DRS scheme and what can be learned for the UK
- the future for the inclusion of glass in DRS schemes
Sessions will also assess options for increasing rates of recycling in businesses and homes, including strategies for incentives, enforcement and sanctions, looking at how performance can be most effectively benchmarked, measured and assessed.
The conference will be an opportunity to assess progress so far and next steps for Global Plastic Treaty negotiations, with 175 nations agreeing to a legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by the end of 2024, looking at the impact of this for plastic waste in England.
Further sessions include discussion on the progress and impact of the Single Use Plastic Ban (SUPB) so far, priorities for funding and resourcing recycling. They will look at how and where to best apply these resources, examining recycling fees and incentives, and strategies for engagement with business and domestic stakeholders, including availability of information and support.
All delegates will be able to contribute to the output of the conference, which will be shared with parliamentary, ministerial, departmental and regulatory offices. This includes the full proceedings and additional articles submitted by delegates. Those due to attend include parliamentary pass-holders from the House of Commons and officials from DBT; Defra; DESNZ; MCA; FSA; NIC; UKRI; DAERA, NI; and the Welsh Government.
