Wide-ranging agenda at annual women’s conference

A flagship event to mark the role and leadership of women in the recycling industry takes place in Birmingham, UK on 6 March – International Women’s Day.

Run by women, for women, the annual Women in Recycling conference has established itself as trusted forum for frank, high-level discussion at a time of accelerating change across the sector. While celebrating women’s leadership, the event is deliberately focused on the commercial, regulatory and operational pressures within the industry.

Organisers say the 2026 programme reflects a sector under strain. Policy frameworks are tightening, export markets face growing scrutiny, and facility fires, contamination issues and compliance failures are driving intensified regulatory intervention. Against this backdrop, many senior figures are carrying an unsustainable burden, balancing commercial risk, regulatory exposure and personal responsibility.

Range of topics

Key sessions at Women in Recycling 2026 will decode UK and global recycling policy, separating decisions already taken from proposals still under consultation, and highlighting where businesses should – and should not – focus their attention. Delegates will also gain a clear, jargon-free assessment of whether export-led models remain viable in 2026 and beyond.

Other sessions will address the growing tension around bans, restrictions and red tape, distinguishing law from rumour, and enabling businesses to plan with confidence rather than fear. Facility fires, insurance pressure and enforcement scrutiny will be discussed, with a clear message that turning a blind eye is no longer an option.

Relationships

A significant element will bring industry and regulators into the same room to examine the fractured relationship between operators and enforcement bodies, exploring how trust has broken down and what a more collaborative future could realistically look like.

Alongside these discussions, the conference will also confront the personal realities of leadership. A dedicated session will explore burnout, overwhelm and neurodiversity, offering practical tools to sustain performance without sacrificing wellbeing.

Credible forum

Nadine Bloxsome, ceo of aluminium value chain association Alfed and board member of Women in Recycling, says it is an organisation that is creating an important and credible forum for informed leadership discussion at a critical moment.

‘Women in Recycling 2026 stands out for its focus on substance over soundbites – addressing the realities of policy change, compliance risk, market uncertainty and leadership resilience in a way that is both practical and grounded in lived experience.’

Tickets for the Women in Recycling Conference and Dinner 2026 are now available here >>