Designing for the ‘circular' economy will be a key theme at the Plastics Recycling Expo (PRE) in Telford, UK, next week.
Taking place at the Telford International Centre on 16th and 17th June, the free PRE Conference features sustainability experts working for major brands. Among other insights, delegates will hear about an award-winning packaging project that uses ocean-derived waste plastic, and find out how to design recyclable packaging films.
Returning after its launch in 2014, PRE will be co-located with the Plastics Design & Moulding (PDM) Exhibition celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, and a new event: Plastics Packaging Show (PPS).
An environmental focus runs across all three events. Stephen Knowles, Managing Director, Industrial Design Consultancy Limited for example will share a practical approach to sustainable design with plastics in the PDM Conference.
Meanwhile in the PPS Conference, Alan Davey, Innovations Director, Linpac Packaging will explore whether recycling targets are holding back innovation. Visitors who register for PRE can access the free conference sessions in all three shows, as well as the exhibition halls featuring over 150 companies and organisations.
A feature that returns for 2015 is the Plastic Consultancy Network's Plastics Surgery. Visitors are invited to bring along questions they may have relating to plastics design and moulding and consultants will be on hand to offer creative and cost-effective advice and solutions.
Elsewhere in the exhibition visitors can meet with award-winning design consultancies, see the latest 3D printing technology and discuss their material, masterbatch and compound requirements with leading suppliers.
PRE brings together key players from the plastics and recycling sectors in order to learn, network and capitalise on the business opportunities plastic recycling offers. Solutions for all parts of the supply chain will be covered, whether you are looking to design for recycling, influence public perceptions and recycling habits, develop end-markets, or sort highly-contaminated materials.
Sarah Turner of Eco Art & Design who will be showcasing her recycled plastic designs again this year says: “What surprises me is the seemingly endless possibilities there are working with recycled plastic. My aim when I started my work was to work in many different materials but I keep thinking of plastic ideas and haven’t run out yet!”
PRE is supported by the British Plastics Federation Recycling Group, Plastics Recyclers Europe, WRAP, Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC), RECOUP (Recycling of Used Plastics), RAPRA and Smithers Rapra.
