OPRL to share UK EPR Labelling Insights at Converge Vienna 2026

This July, OPRL will take to the global stage at Converge Vienna 2026, joining packaging leaders from around the world to tackle one of the biggest challenges facing the industry: how to create a truly circular packaging system across borders.

Taking place from 14–16 July 2026 at the Vienna International Center, Converge brings together policymakers, brands, recyclers and innovators to align regional progress into coordinated global action. Representing OPRL at the event will be Jude Allan, Managing Director, and Alice Harlock, Director of Technical and Member Services.

A global conversation on circular packaging

Sustainable packaging challenges don’t stop at national borders and neither can the solutions. Converge Vienna is designed to address exactly that, creating a space where stakeholders can:

Navigate the growing complexity of global packaging regulations, from the UK and EU to the US, Brazil and South Africa
Explore which materials and innovations can scale internationally while supporting circularity and reducing waste
Advance recovery systems across borders, including behaviour change, deposit return schemes and informal sector inclusion

By bringing together diverse perspectives, the event aims to accelerate progress towards a global circular economy for packaging.

Spotlight on EPR labelling: OPRL’s fireside chat

A key highlight of the conference will be OPRL’s session on 15 July (3:30–3:50pm):

Fireside Chat: Labelling Under EPR – Lessons from OPRL and How2Recycle

Moderated by Paul Nowak (GreenBlue), this session will feature Jude Allan and Alice Harlock alongside counterparts from How2Recycle, the leading North American labelling system.

With the UK’s packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) reforms reshaping the landscape, the session will explore:

How recyclability labelling will function under the UK’s new pEPR scheme
What upcoming mandatory labelling requirements mean for producers
The potential for alignment with EU labelling approaches
How OPRL and How2Recycle assess recyclability
What drives consumer understanding and behaviour change
How producers can use feedback to design more recyclable packaging

As the UK moves towards more consistent, mandatory recycling labels, this discussion will provide valuable insight for organisations navigating similar transitions worldwide.

Why Converge Vienna matters

Events like Converge are increasingly important as the pace of regulatory change accelerates. From decarbonisation and AI-driven sustainability solutions to innovative materials like seaweed packaging, the sector is evolving rapidly but not always consistently across regions.

Converge Vienna offers a unique opportunity to:

Identify common ground across different regulatory systems
Share best practice on scaling sustainable packaging solutions
Build the partnerships needed to deliver global circularity at pace

For organisations operating internationally, these conversations are critical to staying ahead of policy changes and aligning packaging strategies across markets.

Join the conversation in Vienna

Whether you’re a producer, retailer, recycler or policymaker, Converge Vienna 2026 is an opportunity to connect with global experts and help shape the future of sustainable packaging.

OPRL is proud to be part of this important dialogue, sharing UK insights while learning from international approaches.

👉 Register for the event here: https://greenblueevents.org/event/converge-vienna-2026/

Become an OPRL member

As the UK’s leading on-pack recycling labelling scheme, OPRL helps businesses navigate recyclability, communicate clearly with consumers, and prepare for evolving regulations like pEPR.

By becoming an OPRL member, you can: