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, and 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
Moderator: Jane Hall, Green Edge Applications Ltd
Panelists being confirmed
11:00 - 11:30 - Break & Exhibition Viewing
11:30 - 12:30 - Breakout Workshops
Choose which workshop to join with a collective focus on 'managing material supply chains':
- Plastics and films in Wales, what we know and next steps
More information to follow
This session will be run by Jane Hall, Green Edge Applications Ltd and Emma Hallett, WRAP.
- The potential of aggregates for sector circularity
This workshop will debate 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
This session will be run by Ben Maizey, Dauson Environmental and Andy Hill, WATA.
- 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
More information to follow
12:30 - 13:30 - Lunch & Exhibition Viewing
13:30 - 13:55 - 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.
13:55 - 14:20 - Presentation: People, Policy, Technology
More information to follow.
14:20 - 15:00 - 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
Moderator:
George Cole, Local Partnerships
Bettina Gilbert, WRAP
CIWM Early Careers team representative
15:00 - 15:10 - Closing Address: Sustainable Inspiration Beyond the Sector
Beyond the sector, hear and inspiring example of sustainability at the core of operating within the creative industries.
15:10 - 15:15 - Wrap Up & Closing Remarks
As the conference wraps up, a Ben Maizey, CIWM Cymru Regional Committee Chairperson takes us through highlights from the days sessions and how we can look further afield for inspiration to embrace sustainable changes.
From 15:15 - End of Day Networking
As the conference wraps up, join fellow industry colleagues for an informal networking session, along with drop-in sessions focused on green skills resources and opportunities with the CIWM Cymru Regional Committee.