Tom Giddings, executive director of Alupro, will present his thoughts on what a successful deposit return scheme (DRS) for the UK should look like at this year’s Environmental Packaging Summit.

Taking place at the Coventry Building Society Arena (2-3 November), the event brings together leading businesses from across the packaging supply chain to discuss the sector’s most pressing issues.

Organised by Packaging News, the two-day event will raise a range of topics including net-zero, refillable packaging and single-use materials.

The core focus will be on how government legislation is helping to shape the design and use of materials, with carbon reduction and DRS taking centre stage for day one, and reusable and refillable packaging headlining day two.

As part of discussions, Giddings will give his thoughts on how, if designed and implemented correctly, a DRS in the UK could positively impact aluminium packaging recycling rates. ‘Recyclable: Recycled – A changing ratio?’ will start at 1.45pm in the main arena.

In addition to his presentation, Tom will also join a panel discussion to debate the obstacles faced in establishing a well-designed DRS. Other panellists include David Gell, policy lead for DRS at DEFRA; Matthew Deane, head of customer marketing at Suntory Beverage and Food GB&I; and Phil Fenton, lead packaging and recycling advisor at British Glass.

Also presenting at the event is Chris Latham-Ward, programme manager of Alupro’s Every Can Counts consumer engagement initiative, who will showcase how the campaign is helping to drive increasing on-the-go recycling rates.

Chris will also take part in a panel discussion alongside Sam Longworth, project coordinator at Hubbub; and Margaret Bates, executive director at OPRL; questioning whether or not on-the-go is a forgotten element of embracing national packaging circularity. 

Commenting on the event, Tom Giddings said: “With significant policy changes set to transform the packaging industry over the coming years, we’re looking forward to sharing our thoughts and participating in debate to discuss the future of metal packaging recycling and its role in stimulating the circular economy of tomorrow. “The Summit also provides a great opportunity to shout about the successes of our wider campaigns, with Chris representing Every Can Counts and exploring how our initiatives are encouraging consumers to recycle while on-the-go. We’ll be reiterating the importance of the infrastructure changes needed to move ever closer towards a 100% recycling rate.”