APSE Recycling, Waste and Circular Economy Seminar 2026

Thursday 18 June, Sheffield Town Hall

“Simpler Recycling and Beyond”

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Confirmed speakers:

• Dr Henry Irving, Senior Lecturer, Leeds Beckett University – Reflections on Recycling in the Past and Sheffield’s story as the first Recycling City
• Chris Mills and Ben Whelan, Defra - Defra Update on Simpler Recycling and Local Authority Engagement
• Jane Martin, Head of Communications and Engagement, PackUK - PackUK – Local Authority EPR update  
• Ruth Hunter and Sally Wilson, WRAP – Workshop on good practice communications to support effective delivery of Simpler Recycling
• Jenny Robinson, Recycling Partner, Zero Waste Scotland – Food Waste Recycling interventions in South Ayrshire
• Neil Dixon, Assistant Director, Cumberland Council – LGR and the waste journey in Cumberland
• Chris Jones, former Chair of WISH – Update on the Health and Safety challenges facing LA’s in waste and recycling activities in the ‘simpler recycling’ era
• Niamh McBride, Environmental Partnerships Lead, Material Focus – Recycle Your Electricals and Stop Battery Fires campaign
• Stacy Townend, Recycling Officer, Kirklees Council – 'Do we need another hero?' - Leading on Community Engagement and Communications
• Environment Agency (invited)
• Julie Lewis, Head of Environmental and Neighbourhood Services, Stratford-on-Avon District Council - 123+ to the top – How Stratford-on-Avon is the leading recycling authority in England 
• Alain-Charles Lauriano do Rego, UK Country Lead Vizzia, APSE Approved Partner - Fly Tipping & AI technology
• Mark Mohun, Lead Business Analyst - Newcastle City Council - ‘Smarter Tech, Simpler Recycling: Newcastle’s Digital Approach
• Fiona Dear, Co-Director, The Restart Project -  How Local Authorities can lead on the Circular Economy and Repair 
• LGR and Operational matters workshop with APSE Associates:
  • Craig Denmark is an APSE Associate and Interim Waste Manager who successfully delivered Food Waste Collections in Derby City by the 31 March deadline.
  • Paddy Knowles is an APSE Associate Consultant and Trainer with over 40 years experience in the sector, with an interest in service reviews and health and safety

As Simpler Recycling brings sweeping changes across the country, join us in Sheffield to hear all about best practice and discuss getting the basics right and a look forward to what’s next in the pipeline for local authority waste management. From recycling of electricals and other hard to recycle items, and moving to a circular economy, alongside key policy updates, we’ll also ensure key issues including operations and health and safety remain front of mind though presentations, discussions and workshops.

A fabulous opportunity for elected members, officers, and other key stakeholders to hear the latest on policy, ask questions, share thoughts and views on how they are meeting the growing environmental agenda, operational and financial challenges to create a better, safer and more sustainable environment - for present and future generations. Join us to hear directly from government, policy and local authority leaders and a chance to network with colleagues and share best practice!

About the venue

We’re delighted to be using a Local Authority venue for this year’s seminar. Sheffield Town Hall is an impressive Grade I listed Victorian building, opened in 1897 by Queen Victoria and remains the headquarters of the City Council, located in the heart of the city.

Within easy reach of the mainline railway station and nearby multi-storey parking, this historic venue is the ideal backdrop for us to be discussing the future of local authority waste and recycling.

Did you know: Sheffield was the first ‘Recycling City’ in the UK to launch recycling collections, in 1989?

What better place could there be to come together and look at the future of recycling and waste management!