The UK’s waste, recycling and sustainability sectors are entering a decisive moment. From regulatory reform to new technologies, the pace of change is accelerating – and the need for dialogue, collaboration and practical solutions has never been greater.
This October, thousands of professionals will gather at London ExCeL for The Recycling Expo & Sustainable Trade and Production Expo (7–8 October 2025). Over two days, the event will bring together waste managers, corporate sustainability leaders, manufacturers, policymakers, innovators, and investors under one roof. The aim is simple: to turn ambition into action, and legislation into implementation.
A rapidly shifting landscape
In the past month alone, the industry has seen Defra announce reforms to overhaul waste carrier, broker and dealer regulations – renaming them “waste controllers” and “waste transporters” – in a bid to tackle waste crime and strengthen enforcement. Meanwhile, the Plastic Packaging Tax receipts for 2024/25 fell by 3%, raising questions about uptake of recycled content in packaging.
At the same time, WRAP’s gate fees report revealed diverging trends across treatment methods, with MRF fees falling but costs rising for organics and EfW, while the British Metals Recycling Association warns that proposed restrictions on steel exports could destabilise the UK metals sector.
On the innovation front, a UK consortium led by Jaguar Land Rover secured £8.1m in funding to scale EV battery recycling, while global plastics treaty talks collapsed in Geneva – underscoring the urgency of national and industry-led action.
Against this backdrop, The Recycling Expo & Sustainable Trade and Production Expo provides a vital platform for the sector to connect, debate, and share practical strategies for progress.
A meeting place for every stakeholder
What makes the Expo unique is the breadth of stakeholders it convenes. Attendees span:
- Local authorities and waste managers
- Recycling and resource management companies
- Corporate sustainability and ESG leads
- Manufacturers and supply chain decision-makers
- Policy makers and regulators
- Technology and innovation providers
- Financial and investment experts
- NGOs, charities and advocacy groups
Together, they represent every major waste stream — plastics, metals, glass, paper, textiles, WEEE, food and organics, hazardous waste, tyres, construction and demolition waste — ensuring no sector is left out of the conversation.
This diversity is essential. True progress on circularity requires collaboration across the value chain, and the Expo provides a rare opportunity to bring all of these voices together under one roof.
Three stages, one focus: turning legislation into implementation
The Expo’s seminar programme is designed to cut through high-level rhetoric and deliver actionable insights.
- The Industry Leadership Main Stage will translate policy into practice, featuring the UK’s most influential voices on recycling, waste management, and sustainability.
- The Circular Innovation Stage will highlight breakthrough technologies, pilots, and start-ups pioneering new approaches to circularity.
- The Waste Management Stage will dive into the practical realities facing local authorities and operators, from compliance to efficiency and resource recovery.
Across more than 200 expert speakers, the agenda promises to tackle the sector’s most pressing issues — not with abstract theory, but with case studies, solutions, and real-world experience.
Event features designed for collaboration
Beyond the stages, the Expo’s features are built to facilitate meaningful dialogue and practical support:
- The Circular 100 Lounge – celebrating 100 changemakers driving measurable impact in the UK circular economy. Winners will be announced live at the event, with recognition taking place in the VIP Lounge.
- The RECOUP Sustainability Clinic – offering one-to-one advice from the UK’s leading plastics recycling experts, helping organisations redesign packaging and processes for recyclability.
- The ReLondon Circular Innovation Hub – showcasing pioneering pilots and start-ups tackling urban circularity challenges.
- The Waste Authority Lounge – creating a space for local authorities to connect with industry partners, share best practice, and explore collaboration.
- The Networking Pub and Leadership Walk & Talk – informal yet effective networking opportunities designed to spark new relationships and business connections.
Each of these spaces is curated to open dialogue, break down silos, and help attendees find answers to their challenges.
Exhibition floor: 250+ solutions in one place
At the heart of the Expo lies the exhibition floor, with more than 250 exhibitors showcasing the latest machinery, technology, services and innovations. From sorting equipment and AI-driven data platforms to financial services, consultancy, and recycling solutions across every waste stream, it’s a one-stop marketplace for professionals seeking partners and solutions.
The exhibition is not only about products — it’s about ideas, partnerships, and the exchange of knowledge that drives the sector forward.
Why now?
The sector stands at a crossroads. Policy reforms are reshaping obligations, economics are tightening margins, and innovation is creating new possibilities. What happens next will depend on collaboration across the value chain and the ability to move from ambition to action.
That’s exactly what The Recycling Expo & Sustainable Trade and Production Expo is designed to support. By providing a space where policy makers, practitioners, and pioneers meet, the Expo accelerates the sector’s ability to implement change.
As Eddy Lawrance, Event Director, puts it:
“This year’s Expo is all about turning legislation into implementation. We’re not just talking about what might happen — we’re showcasing practical, actionable insights that organisations can apply immediately. By bringing every part of the value chain together under one roof, we’re helping the industry move forward, faster.”
Join the conversation
The Recycling Expo & Sustainable Trade and Production Expo takes place on 7–8 October 2025 at London ExCeL.
Registration is free and includes access to all seminar stages, features, and the exhibition floor.
🔗 Register now for your free ticket
📩 For press enquiries, please contact Laura Lawrance, Strategic Partnerships & Marketing Manager: laura.lawrance@eljays44.com
