The inaugural RECOUP Summit, held on 30 April in Leeds, strongly reaffirmed a now widely recognised concept in sustainability: packaging plays a central role in building a circular plastics economy.
Organised with the support of WRAP and Ecosurety, the event brought together stakeholders from across the plastics value chain to discuss innovation, technology, data traceability, and strategic collaboration. The message was clear: solutions for more sustainable packaging already exist, but to deliver impact, they require meaningful cooperation between industry, institutions, and innovators.
Food-contact packaging: when recyclates meet high-quality standards
One of the most followed sessions focused on food-contact packaging, where companies such as Amcor, Nextek, and Regis Machinery showcased major progress in the use of high-quality recycled materials.
Discussions covered food-grade polypropylene recycling, removal of contaminants, and technologies capable of converting plastic films back into food-safe material. This demonstrated that circular packaging in the food sector is entirely feasible, provided the right regulatory support and investment are in place.
The role of data: without traceability, there’s no real progress
Another key theme that emerged from the summit was the crucial importance of data. Poor or unintegrated data systems slow down innovation. Speakers from Dsposal, Polytag, and Re-universe highlighted the need for robust digital tools to accurately measure the environmental impact of packaging and ensure compliance with evolving European legislation.
A shared vision for a sustainable future
The final collaborative session addressed the sector’s key challenges — from infrastructure gaps to underinvestment in recycled plastics. Yet, what emerged clearly was that collaboration among designers, recyclers, brands, and policymakers is the strategic lever needed to overcome both technical and commercial barriers.
Packaging has the potential to lead the ecological transition, but clear policy signals, incentives, and robust infrastructure are essential,
was one of the session’s concluding takeaways.
In Summary
The RECOUP Summit made one thing clear: packaging is not just part of the problem — it’s part of the solution. Technological innovation, accurate data, and joint action are the keys to transforming packaging into a true pillar of the circular economy.
