With the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) moving from legislation to action, and the European Commission’s Circular Economy Act taking shape, the packaging industry faces its most significant regulatory overhaul in a generation. On 24–26 March 2026, the Packaging Waste & Sustainability Forum returns to Brussels for its 33rd year to help industry navigate what comes next.
Held at the Thon Hotel Bristol Stephanie, the Forum is Europe’s longest-running conference dedicated to packaging waste and sustainability. Compliance deadlines are closing in, EPR systems remain fragmented across 27 national regulations, and pressure on brand owners, producers and waste managers to deliver circular packaging in the real world has never been greater.
“2026 marks a pivotal moment for the packaging industry. As the PPWR enters its enforcement phase and the Circular Economy Act continues to evolve, the challenges facing our delegates have reached unprecedented levels of urgency. For over three decades, this Forum has served as the essential meeting ground where policymakers and industry leaders come together to tackle the sector's most pressing issues.”
Rosie Allen, Conference Manager, Informa Connect
Wolfgang Trunk, Team Leader for Plastics and Packaging at the European Commission’s DG ENVIRONMENT, will open proceedings with a direct briefing on secondary legislation and delegated acts under the PPWR. Senior figures from Amazon, Mars, Nestlé, ExxonMobil and Carrefour will share how major brands are navigating compliance, rethinking packaging design and working through the practical realities of reuse mandates and recyclability targets.
“The smart and efficient implementation of the new rules necessitate constructive dialogue between policymakers, national competent control authorities and industry stakeholders. I anticipate meaningful engagement on the practical challenges inherent in Europe's comprehensive packaging legislation.”
Dr Wolfgang Trunk, Team Leader for Plastics and Packaging at European Commission, DG ENVIRONMENT
EPR harmonisation is another central theme. With producers managing compliance obligations across dozens of different national systems, the Forum will address eco-modulation, cross-border reporting, deposit return scheme integration and the longer-term direction of producer responsibility frameworks globally.
“The PPWR provides a harmonised framework for packaging rules across the EU, which is essential for companies operating across the Single Market. For effective implementation, manufacturers urgently need clarity and predictability. As the enforcement date draws near, I look forward to this timely gathering.”
Caroline Ploux, Senior Manager Public Affairs Europe, Mars
Legal experts from Bird & Bird will cover the intersection of packaging and chemical compliance - including REACH restrictions, PFAS obligations and the growing gap between regulatory compliance and genuine chemical safety in food contact materials. The full programme is available at https://informaconnect.com/packaging-waste-sustainability/agenda/1/
Who Attends
The Forum brings together packaging professionals from across the value chain: regulatory affairs and sustainability leads at major brands, compliance specialists at PROs and producers, waste management and recycling operators, material innovators and industry associations. Confirmed attendees for 2026 include representatives from the European Commission, Amazon, P&G, ExxonMobil, Nestlé, Carrefour, ALDI, DS Smith, SAP, Crown, Abbott and Honeywell.
Register
The Packaging Waste & Sustainability Forum takes place 24-26 March 2026 at the Thon Hotel Bristol Stephanie, Brussels. Registration and full programme details: https://informaconnect.com/packaging-waste-sustainability/