The RECOUP Plastics Assembly 2026 brought together industry leaders, policymakers, academics and sustainability experts to explore the practical actions needed to accelerate the transition to a circular plastics economy.

Through a programme of expert-led panel discussions, delegates examined the opportunities and challenges shaping the future of plastics, from designing products for circularity and investing in recycling infrastructure to enabling sustainable consumer behaviours, tackling plastic pollution, advancing material innovation and navigating an evolving policy landscape.

While discussions covered a diverse range of topics, a clear message emerged throughout the day: achieving a circular plastics economy will require greater collaboration across the entire value chain, supported by investment, innovation and policy certainty.

"One of the most rewarding parts of organising the Assembly was seeing the conversations that happened throughout the day. From the conference sessions to informal networking, there was a genuine sense of people wanting to learn from each other and explore practical ways to drive progress. That's exactly what the event is designed to achieve," said Rebecca Davis, Membership and Events Manager, RECOUP.

The event provided a valuable platform for sharing expertise, challenging perspectives and identifying practical solutions that can help keep plastics in use for longer and maximise their value as a resource. 

Adrian Whyle, Vice Chair, RECOUP, added: "At RECOUP, we're dedicated to driving real change in the way communities approach recycling and sustainability. Our recent Assembly in Peterborough was a fantastic example of collaboration and innovation, bringing together representatives from industry, academia and government to share ideas and explore solutions. The event highlighted the importance of working together to tackle challenges and accelerate progress towards a more circular future, and we're excited to build on that momentum in the months ahead."

A full write-up of the discussions, key insights and session highlights is now available on the RECOUP website.

Read the full event summary