Programme

09:00 - 09:30 - Registration

An opportunity to network with peers new and old, and view the exhibition before the conference begins.

09:30 - 09:40 - Chairs Welcome & Introductions

A warm welcome to Resource Conference Cymru 2026 as Jane Hall, Vice Chair of CIWM's Cymru Regional Committee, welcomes us to Cardiff and begins the conference with an overview of the day ahead. 

09:40 - 09:50 - Opening Address: Celebrating the Sector 

From world-renowned recycling rates to DRS trials and community driven-reuse and repair cafes, join us for a highlights reel as we celebrate the progress of Wales's resource and waste sector. 

09:50 - 10:20 - Fireside Chat: Continuing Progressive Action 

Building on the progress made, this fireside chat will share where we are going next as we move beyond recycling and move up the waste hierarchy towards a more circular economy. 

Moderator: Jane Cherrington, Local Partnerships 
Dr Rebecca Colley-Jones, Ynys Resources Ltd 
Dr David Greenfield, CIWM/ CEI

10:20 - 11:00 - Panel Discussion: The Economics of a Circular Economy 

Discussing the realities and tangible examples of making money operating through circular business models, this session will share: 

• Key insights and learnings from the realities of circular business models 
• Understanding what the data is telling us; do circular models work in the real world? 
• Economic opportunities through moving up the waste hierarchy 

11:30 - 12:30 - Breakout Workshops

Choose a workshop to join with a collective focus on 'managing material supply chains':

Flexible plastics and films in Wales: communications, readiness and best practice   
Prepare for the incoming films and flexible plastics collection requirements by joining this breakout session to learn: 

• Collection requirements for 2027 and preparing for service changes 
• Key learnings from local authority trials to date 
• Workshopping messaging and readiness assessments to support successful rollouts 
• Toolkits and best practice recommendations 

This breakout session is recommended for local authority attendees. 
This session will be led by Jane Hall, Green Edge Applications Ltd and Emma Hallett, WRAP. 

The potential of aggregates for sector circularity 
This workshop will explore the potential for aggregates as a currently under-utilised resource and reuse market opportunity within Wales. Join the session to discuss: 

• What we can learn from what's already happening in this space, including examples of reuse and supply chain operations in practice 
• How do we progress circularity and reuse for materials within the built environment 
• What's not happening and what change do we want to see 

Scrap metal: an opportunity for Wales? 
How can Wales troubleshoot current challenges around material issues and supply chain opportunities? This workshop will look at: 

• Problem solving the challenge of low quality feedstock 
• Global market demands and having access to enough material to meet requirements 

Meet the exhibitors 
Helping to deliver sustainable change across the resources and waste landscape, meet the innovators leading the way in resource resilience. Connect with organisations providing solutions across Wales, including: 
Romaquip  |  Atlantic  |  Vermeer  |  Vision Techniques  |  Plan B  |  Dennis Eagle  |  Probe Industries  |  Rubbermaid  |  Fleetclear  |  Routeware  |  Amgylcheddol CWM Environmental  |  Storm  |  Orwak  |  Pura Nappi Cycle 

13:35 - 14:00 - Presentation: Policy Update 

The latest policy update from the Welsh Government's Dr Andy Rees OBE covering incoming policies and what the sector needs to know for potential impending changes. 

14:00 - 14:25 - Presentation: People, Policy, Technology 

Join a member of Tomra as this presentation showcases the practical implementation of policy, people, and technology enabling one another to drive real change. 

14:25 - 15:05 - Panel Discussion: Waste as a Resource - Planning for Change 

With an eye on the horizon, this discussion will delve into how we continue to build on the shifting views of 'waste' being a resource and what this means for pursuing more sustainable operations, including: 

• What can we learn from today to support the sectors trajectory, from circular models to net-zero operations 
• How our roles enable these changes and the power we have to create impact 
• Pushing innovative policies to support the sector and to stay competitive 
• What more sustainable operations could mean for the health and safety of the workforce 

15:05 - 15:20 - Closing Address: Sustainable Inspiration Beyond the Sector 

Looking beyond the sector, hear an inspiring example of sustainability at the core of operating within the creative industries from the Royal Welsh College of Music and Drama's, Sean Crowley. 

15:20 - 15:25 - Wrap Up & Closing Remarks

Ben Maizey, CIWM Cymru Regional Committee Chairperson, will take us through highlights from the day's sessions and how we can look further afield for inspiration to embrace sustainable changes.

From 15:30 - End of Day Networking 

As the conference wraps up, join fellow industry colleagues for an informal networking session.