Explore the programme


Join us at this year’s Resourcing the Future Conference as we break-down the biggest changes to governmental reforms in the imminent Collections & Packaging Reforms.

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book your place today! 
 

08:45 – 09:30 - Registration

A chance to get to know the exhibitors and network with industry peers over a hot drink before the day begins!

09.30 – 09:35 - Welcome

This year's conference will be kicked off by CIWM President, Anna Willetts. 

09:35 – 09:55  - A History of Collection & Packaging Reforms (CPR)

Claire Shrewsbury, Director of Insights & Innovation at WRAP joins Suez's Adam Read, where they'll be discussing the journey from their conception in the RWS, through the consultation phases, governments responses and finally to their implementation. 

09:55 – 10:15 – Connecting the threads of the CPR

We take a look through the reforms, how they will likely connect with one another and the recently published EIP targets with Regen Waste's John Coates.

10:15 - 10:35 – Plastic Packaging Tax

12 months on, what impact has the Plastic Packaging Tax had so far, and what future developments of this tax are on the horizon? Judith Kelly from HMRC talks us through this and more. 

10:35 – 10:55 – Q&A

The first Q&A session of the day, facilitated by John Redmayne, Managing Director at European Recycling Platform.

10:55 – 11:20 - Break

An opportunity for refreshments, networking and exhibition viewing.

11:20 – 11:40 – Meeting the food collection challenge

Introducing and implementing a new service to collect food waste from householders can be a huge challenge. In this session Claire Cutforth of Cardiff City Council, will go through the things to consider and the lessons learned from a Local Authority who have already implemented this challenging service. 

11:40 – 12:00 - The Future of Commercial Collections

Collections for commercial waste will need to develop and evolve to increase recycling rates. How can data and insight target an effective route optimisation? What will these new services look like in practise? Stuart Hayward-Higham from Suez answers these questions and more.

12:00 - 12:20 - The communications challenge of the Collection & Packaging Reforms

The successful introduction of new materials, services and systems will need a good communications strategy to engage the public with the benefits of recycling more. WRAP's Rachel Gray will share his behaviour change expertise in this session leaving you with key takeaways for communicating with the most important of audiences.
 

12:20 - 12:40 - Q&A

 Your chance to put your questions to the morning's speakers directly, or through our interactive event app. This Q&A will be moderated by Dr Anna Willets
 

12:40 - 13:30 - Lunch

 
 Network with industry peers and make new contacts over a delicious lunch.   
 

13:30 - 14:30 - Workshops

 
 Make the most of the #RTF23 experience by picking one of three workshops; 
  • CONSISTENCY: LOOKING AT THE PROCUREMENT CHALLENGE. What procurement challenges will be posed to Local Authorities when consistent collections are rolled out? Learn from Kirstin Roberts of Freeths LLP how to give yourself the best chance at procuring services and winning bids.
  • DRS: THE POTENTIAL OF A DIGITAL SYSTEM. A digital DRS system offers the public convenience, but is this a realistic possibility? Find out what trials of a digital DRS system have shown so far, and what could be possible in the future. We're joined by the Welsh Government's Howard Davies.
  • EPR: HOW THE SA AND DMO WILL FUNCTION. Packaging EPR and DRS will soon be introduced in the UK - how should the SA and DMO operate for effective functioning? Join INCPEN's Paul Vanston as we explore this. 
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    14:30 - 14:50 - Coffee & Networking

     
    Another chance to network, grab a drink and browse the exhibition area.  

    14:50 - 15:10 - The place of PRNs in CPR       

         
     

    The PRN system will continue alongside EPR until 2027, but are the reforms sufficient enough to ensure the system will be fit for purpose in the rapidly changing legislative environment? What challenges will this transition period bring? How will EPR fully replace the funding currently provided to the value chain by PRNs? Head of Policy at Valpak, George Atkinson, will speak in this session. 

     

    15:10 - 15:30 - Infrastructure Implications

     
    What are the implications of the DRS and pEPR on end markets? Will increasing quality come at the cost of quantity? Is there sufficient infrastructure in the UK to deal with these materials? Paul Sanderson, CEO at Recycling Association, joins us in this session to explore the implications and solutions.   

    15:30 - 15:50 - Implementing a DRS from scratch

     
    Reflecting on the lessons learnt from the roll-out of the Scottish DRS and how these could be applied to the rest of the UK with Tomra's Mark Brill, VP of Sales & Marketing (UK & Ireland).  
     

    15:50 - 16:10 - Flexible Plastics: Preparing for compulsory kerbside collection in 2027. 

     
    In the final session of the day, join Gareth Morton from Ecosurety as they discuss the Flexible Plastic Fund and share progress as well as the first learnings to date from the FPF FlexCollect project. A unique collaboration between waste and resource industry stakeholders, FPF FlexCollect is the most extensive pilot for household collection and recycling of plastic bags and wrapping packaging to be undertaken in the UK. It aims to help to understand how to incorporate flexibles into existing collection services across different geographies and demographics and develop best practice ahead of the introduction of consistent collections across the UK in 2027.              

    16:10 - 16:30 - Q&A

     

    Your final chance to put your pressing questions to our speakers. 

     

    16:30 - Closing Remarks

     
    Thank you and closing remarks from Dr. Anna Willetts.