Beyondly's Events: 2025 Round-Up
In this article, our Policy & Public Affairs Advisor, Michael Jennings, reflects on the busy events season we’ve had at Beyondly in 2025, sharing a glimpse of each of our key events up and down the UK.
It’s been a whirlwind end to the year here at Beyondly, especially for myself in my new role as Policy & Public Affairs Advisor under Alex Hilton as our Director of Policy & Public Affairs, fresh from PackUK! So, let’s dive into what Beyondly has been up to since the summer.
UK Packaging Expo, 3rd-4th September 2025, Manchester
The first event of the season was UK Packaging Expo. In my first live speaking engagement in my new role, I presented the challenges and opportunities of the developing pEPR legislation with a focus on the then upcoming RAM roadmap and disposal fees. It was a great event to start the season and lovely to check in with our members and their suppliers, and enjoy a surprise catch up with Defra who dropped by to say hello, too!
Resource & Waste Management (RWM) Expo, 17th-18th September 2025, Birmingham
Thank you to everyone who came to see us at the Resource & Waste Management (RWM) Expo, and to those who commented on our bright yellow stand at RS-C112! With nine members of the team representing us, this was a great opportunity to connect with suppliers, friends in the industry and other compliance schemes, and in government. This was an especially enjoyable event for Catherine Guy, our Relationship Manager, as it was a chance to catch up with some of our key members in attendance. Our very own Charlotte Davies, Senior Consultant for Resource Efficiency & Circularity, also attended in her capacity as CIWM Early Careers President, leading an insightful speaker session on Careers with Impact: Navigating the Environmental and Resource Sector.
RECOUP Awards & Conference, 24th-25th September 2025, Peterborough
Continuing the journey south, we were back at, and sponsoring, the RECOUP Awards and Conference. This was a fantastic event to connect with organisations demonstrating excellence in the plastic industry at the awards dinner, listen to engaging talks and debates, and speak to PackUK and retailers on the effects of pEPR now that the dust is starting to settle.
Recycling Expo, 7th-8th October 2025, London
We made the most of our time in London this October, beginning with the Recycling Expo: Driving the Circular Conversation Across the Entire Value Chain. Alex led an engaging talk on the development and creation of the RAM during his time at PackUK, and shared his thoughts on the Circular Economy Growth Plan and alignment with the EU packaging regulations (PPWR), bringing all his insights from government through to the ‘real world’. Also, Chris Smith, our Lead Consultant for Resource Efficiency and Circularity, made an appearance moderating the ‘Delivering a Circular Economy in Practice’ panel.
London Packaging Week, 15th-16th October 2025, London
The following week we were at London Packaging Week with yet another large yellow stand and two incredible close-up magicians (returning on the back of excellent feedback at Packaging Innovations in February 2025). My personal highlights were speaking to some of my previous members when I was in the Beyondly Packaging Team, catching up with contacts at Defra/EA, and getting deep into pEPR queries from companies who are still trying to navigate the complexities of the new regulations.
Sustainability in Drinks, 21st October 2025, London
Back down in London after the weekend, we attended Sustainability in Drinks: a renowned international showcase for all areas of the drinks trade. It was a great event highlighting companies on both the waste and agronomy/farming side of sustainability, along with lots of very delicious organic wine! This was the perfect event to meet up with our members in the wine and drinks industries and discuss the difficulties and sticking points with pEPR. There were lots of interesting and thought-provoking conversations on the back of my workshop, delivered alongside Robin Thompson, CEO of Encirc, on managing and improving the impact of glass in the supply chain.
The EPR Conference/E-Commerce, Packaging & Labelling Expo, 12th-13th November 2025, London
It was a busy start to November with The EPR Conference on the 12th and the E-Commerce Packaging & Labelling Expo on the 12th & 13th. Jessica Aldersley, our Managing Director, represented us at the Expo alongside Catherine Guy, Relationship Manager, and Lindsay Swinson, Data Services Manager. Alex also made another appearance to lead an insightful speaker session to unpack the evolving environmental landscape across, not only packaging EPR, but also ESG compliance, that is shaping e-commerce business strategies.
B Corp UK Birthday Party, 13th November 2025, Leeds
While back in the North at the Northern Monk Refectory in Leeds, we attended the B Corp UK Birthday Party with the Yorkshire and Humber B Local group and Take 10, to celebrate 10 years of B Corp with both leading and aspiring companies. Did you know we have recently recertified as a B Corp? You can find out more in our news story here.
Beyondly Circle Member Day, 27th November 2025, Birmingham
To close off the season, a great mix of faces from our Packaging Team and beyond held our latest Beyondly Circle Member Day at luxury B Corp venue Eighteen, to bring together our members from the area for education, discussion, and relationship building. The day was a great success with lots of pEPR, RAM, and Sustainability updates and back and forth dialogue (which you just don’t get from a webinar), and we are looking at hosting more regional events in the future.
Other Notable Events
- FDF Awards, 11th September 2025, London: Alex was joined by Commercial Director, Oksana to celebrate those leading the way in the food and drink industry.
- Packaging Federation Council Meeting, 17th September 2025, London: Alex introduced himself to the industry and talked about moving from Defra to the compliance sector.
- LARAC Conference, 8th-9th October 2025, Birmingham: Beyondly was nominated for ‘Best Communication Campaign’ with Preston City Council on the Pledge2Recycle campaign delivered with RECOUP.
- Walpole British Luxury Awards, 10th November 2025, London: Following the announcement of our partnership with Walpole, this was a great way to connect with Walpole’s members on the effects of packaging compliance and other sustainability challenges that are driving businesses.
Looking ahead, we are already planning out our 2026 events calendar, and I’m personally excited to catch up with members and industry contacts at the Packaging Innovations Expo in Birmingham in February.
