Conferences
The BBIA shares information about the role of the bioeconomy and the opportunities that arise from using biodegradable products. Our conferences bring together experts in the field to share knowledge and expertise in order to advance the bioeconomy.
Previous events
UK Bioeconomy: Policy, Infrastructure and Innovation – BBIA Spring Event 2022
This event took place on 17 May 2022 at the Society of Chemical Industry in London, falling at a critical moment for Government policy and the future development of those industries represented by the BBIA making renewable (bio-based) and certified biodegradable products and materials. Speakers from across the industry discussed issues such as waste, compostables, agricultural plastics and soil, EPR, and collection systems.
Powerpoint presentations from the conference are available below by clicking on the presentation titles.
First session – policy
Interview with the Rt Hon Lord Deben, Chair of the Committee on Climate Change
David Taylor, Director, Greater Manchester Waste Authority
Problems in the reporting of GHG emissions from waste: Indicators and Inventories – Dominic Hogg
UK soil policy development – Ellen Fay, Sustainable Soil Alliance
Second session – Overcoming the challenges of infrastructure
BIOPAK and the Compost Connect collection system – Sam Walker
VEGWARE collection systems – Lucy Frankel
The Brown Bin Scheme in Ireland – Tony Breton, Chair Cre’
Third session – Frontiers of Innovation
Dr Mark Bustard, Director, IBIOIC Scotland
Conclusions
Andy Sweetman, Chair, BBIA
Everything is Connected – BBIA annual conference
This event took place on 25 February 2020 at Regent’s University in London and addressed the future of the resources and waste industry over the next 20 years as the Resources and Waste Strategy and the government’s 2050 net-zero carbon target promise big changes for the sector. Speakers from across the industry discussed issues such as waste, packaging, consumer behaviour, the bioeconomy and the circular economy with a mix of presentations and panel discussions.
Powerpoint presentations from the conference are available below by clicking on the presentation titles.
Introduction and welcome
Session one – POLICIES
Setting the scene – Peter Jones, Principal Consultant, Eunomia research and consulting.
The Policy Panel: Defra (Tom Pye, Linda Crichton), BEIS (Jo Bray), The Treasury (Alex Hattersley), BBIA (John Williams).
Session two – WASTE MANAGEMENT
Challenges around reforming the waste sector – Felix Gummer, Director, Sancroft International
The Waste Management Panel: Suez (Adam Read), ESA (Jacob Hayler), Viridor (Dan Cooke), CIWM (Pat Jennings), BBIA (Tony Breton)
Session three – MATERIAL RECOVERY
How to get buy-in from consumers – Jane Bevis, Chair, OPRL
The Materials Recovery Panel: RECOUP (Stuart Foster), CPI (Simon Weston), WRAP (Helen Bird), BBIA (Paul Mines)
Session 4 – ORGANICS RECOVERY
Inputs and outputs for biowaste recovery – Kathryn Nichols and Judy Proctor, Environment Agency
The Organics Recovery Panel: ADBA (Charlotte Morton), ORG/REA (Charlie Trousdell, Jeremy Jacobs), BBIA (Jens Hamprecht), COOP (Iain Ferguson)
Session 5 – PACKAGING
Tying it all up – financing the transition with EPR – Paula Chin, Sustainable Materials Specialist, WWF
The Packaging Panel: Defra (Linda Crichton), Ecosurety (Robbie Staniforth), LARAC (Lee Marshall), BBIA (Jean-Marc Nony)
Concluding remarks
David Newman, BBIA Managing Director
The future of compostables in packaging
This event took place on 19 June 2019 at Regent’s University in London and looked at the opportunities and challenges for incorporating compostable materials into packaging. Speakers from across the industry explored recently published reports on the role of compostables in packaging and the bioeconomy, how the industry is adapting to the challenges of the collection and treatment of compostable packaging, and how to develop policy for compostables in packaging fit for the 21st century. BBIA members also made short presentations on their products and activities.
Powerpoint presentations from the conference are available below by clicking on the presentation titles.
Session one
Innovation, compostables and the bioeconomy – Lucy Montgomery, NNFCC
Compostables and the UK Plastics Pact – Helen Bird, WRAP
What do BBIA members do? (Part one)
Woolcool Packaging Ltd – Josie Morris
Session two
AD at the centre of the energy and food waste nexus – Charlotte Morton, ADBA
Cradle to cradle for biowaste collections and treatment – Charlie Trousdell, ORG/REA
Reforming EPR: The implications for BBIA – Felix Gummer, Sancroft International
Session three
What does our Plastic Free label mean? – Sian Sutherland, A Plastic Planet
Thorntons Budgens on their experience in reducing plastic packaging – Andrew Thornton, Thorntons Budgens
After the Resources and Waste consultations, what next? – Linda Crichton, BBIA
Sandy Martin MP, Shadow Minister of the Environment
The roadmap for compostable packaging – Andy Sweetman, BBIA/Futamura
What do BBIA members do? (Part two)
AMN Marketing – Stuart Ball
Everything is Connected: Resource and waste management – a blueprint for a circular bioeconomy
This event took place on 15 November at the Society of Chemical Industry in London and addressed how climate change, soil and water quality, biodiversity loss, food production and waste, packaging and packaging waste, energy policies and health, are inextricably linked, and how cross-sector solutions are needed to provide a coherent framework for action in these areas.
Powerpoint presentations from the conference are available below by clicking on the presentation titles.
Session one: The Big Picture
Session two: Towards a blueprint for a resource efficient economy
Why we should turn off the plastic tap – Sian Sutherland, Co-founder, A Plastics Planet
The challenge for on-the-go-materials recovery – Martin Kersh, Executive Director, FPA
How the reform of the EPR/PRN system should look – James Piper, CEO, Ecosurety
Session three: It is not just about plastic packaging
The last mile: The responsibilities and challenges faced by the ethical retailer and consumer
- Richard Walker, Managing Director, Iceland Foods Group UK
- A place for compostable packaging – Iain Ferguson, Environment Manager, Commercial Team – Food Policy, The Co-operative Food Group
- Supply Chain Excellence Awards – Environmental Improvement – Giles Harvey, Supply Director, SKY UK
The missing ingredient: Food waste – Charlotte Morton, CEO, ADBA
