Programme

Four sessions. One shared goal:
advancing circular economy in Europe.

programme

8:15 – 9:00

REGISTRATION

9.00 – 9.15

CONFERENCE OPENING

9:15 – 10:15

Session I.

The European Union: Will the circular economy and competitiveness walk together?

The EU’s upcoming Circular Economy Act, scheduled for a formal legislative proposal later in 2026, is a cornerstone of the new Clean Industrial Deal and the Competitiveness Compass. Circularity is shifted from a purely environmental goal to a primary instrument for industrial competitiveness and strategic autonomy. By keeping resources in circulation longer, the EU aims to decouple economic growth from primary resource consumption, mitigating the impact of volatile global material prices and imports. Despite the strategic alignment, progress remains mixed. Europe’s circularity rate is currently around 12%, with a target to be doubled to 24% by 2030. How is the EU’s vision being chiseled in stone and how do the Deposit Return Systems, producers and recyclers see it? Are we aligned to succeed?

10.15 – 10.30

Networking Coffee Break

10:30 – 12:00

Session II.

Deposit Return Systems as a successful policy and reality: its Contributions, Challenges and Trends

Deposit Return Systems (DRS) have emerged as a highly successful policy instrument, with top-performing systems already achieving over 90% collection rates, contributing significantly to circular economy goals. Used materials are repurposed into new containers, decreasing reliance on virgin materials. DRS reduce contamination and enable “bottle-to-bottle” and “can-to-can” closed-loop recycling. What are the DRS challenges and how can we address them both in regulation and implementation? Can we get a better use of DRS instruments such as the option of producers to buy material to meet their sustainability targets, eco-modulation of products in DRS and other incentives to increase recyclability and take a better measurement of circularity while implementing innovations,improvements and staying competitive?

12:00 – 13:00

Networking Lunch

13:00 – 14:15

Session III.

Adapting to dynamic changes and staying competitive: Perspectives of Producers and Recyclers

New regulations, notably the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) and the Circular Economy Act (2026), are shifting producer responsibility from basic disclosure to mandatory, high-efficiency recycling, including a 90% collection rate for plastic and aluminium containers by 2029. Producers face pressure to align with 2030 targets for 30% recycled PET content in beverage bottles. For both producers and recyclers, success in the evolving circular economy requires investing in technological integration, digital traceability, enhancing material purity through advanced technology, while navigating market volatility and adopting proactive eco-design to ensure compliance with 2026-2030 legislation. Can we stay competitive?

14:15 – 14:30

Networking Coffee Break

14:30 – 16:00

Session IV.

Growing DRS: Common goals, clear regulation, diversity, key challenges to growth

Transitioning from a throwaway culture to circular economy, the growth of DRS is an “environmental necessity” to contribute to circular economy and to fight plastic pollution. Future growth is driven by clear regulation, maintaining diversity, fostering international cooperation, leveraging technology to enhance consumer convenience, and developing robust governance that balances mandatory targets with flexibility in local implementation. How are existing and future DRS operators, regulators, producers and recyclers coping with them?

16:00

CONFERENCE CLOSING