The European Circular Policy Expedition is a curated, in-person learning experience for U.S. policymakers and stakeholders seeking direct exposure to how circular systems function on the ground.
Across Vienna and nearby Bratislava, participants engage firsthand with the infrastructure, institutions, and organizations that make packaging EPR and deposit return systems work in practice — from PROs and technology providers to brands, recyclers, and the regulators who shaped the policy in the first place.
The program is structured around the two U.S. policy areas with the most active European precedent: deposit return systems (Days 1–3) and packaging EPR (Days 4–5).
Why this expedition
As packaging EPR and related circular policies continue to develop across the United States, decision-makers need more than summaries and secondhand briefings. They need the opportunity to see mature systems in action, ask detailed questions, and better understand the relationship between policy design and operational reality.
This expedition is designed to create that opportunity. By combining experiential learning with structured reflection, Circle helps participants translate what they observe in Europe into practical insight for U.S. policy conversations and state-specific decision-making.
What participants will explore
Days 1–3 | Deposit Return Systems (Austria & Slovakia)
Operational mechanics, fraud prevention, retailer participation, sorting and processing infrastructure, and bottle-to-bottle circularity. Sessions led by EWP (Austria's national DRS operator), TOMRA, the European Deposit Return Systems Association (EDRSA), and Reloop — with producer panels featuring Coca-Cola and Red Bull.
Days 4–5 | Packaging EPR (Vienna)
The EU regulatory context — the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR), the Waste Framework Directive, and the Circular Economy Act. An introduction to Austria's PRO landscape. And a comparative U.S. briefing with Minnesota Representative Sydney Jordan on writing and passing her state's packaging EPR law.
Participants will explore:
how packaging EPR systems are structured and administered
how deposit return systems function across collection and recovery pathways
how infrastructure supports collection, sorting, and recycling outcomes
how public, private, and civic stakeholders interact across the value chain
what implementation lessons may be relevant to emerging U.S. policy contexts
Site visits include:
Redemption points and retail collection
PreZero's materials recovery facility (MRF)
A PET and LDPE film recycler
Operational infrastructure across the value chain
Outcomes
A working understanding of how packaging EPR and DRS programs function operationally — not just in statute
Direct relationships with European operators, regulators, and brand-side practitioners who will take your follow-up questions
A grounded sense of what's transferable to U.S. contexts and what isn't
A sharper, more concrete frame of reference for U.S. policy conversations — including state-level implementation decisions
Who should attend
The Expedition is built for cross-stakeholder leaders shaping circular policy and implementation in the United States.
Expedition FAQs
Dates, location & lodging
Where will the Expedition take place?
The Expedition is based in Vienna, Austria, with travel to Bratislava, Slovakia for select site visits. A central host hotel in Vienna will serve as the program's home base, with transportation provided to all site visits and external sessions.
When is it?
Monday, 6 July – Friday, 10 July 2026. Participants should plan to arrive on Monday for an evening welcome reception and depart on Friday afternoon following the closing session.
What's included in participation?
Programming, lodging from Monday evening through Friday checkout, ground transportation between sessions and site visits, all group meals (welcome reception, daily breakfasts, lunches, and group dinners), session materials, and access to all host institutions, partner organizations, and industry leaders on the agenda. Participants are responsible for their international travel to and from Vienna.
Where will I stay?
Lodging is covered by Circle for all confirmed participants — no separate booking required. We'll share hotel details and check-in instructions in advance of arrival.
Program purpose and value
What is the main goal of the European Circular Policy Expedition?
The Expedition is designed to help U.S. policymakers and industry leaders understand mature circular policy systems firsthand — how packaging EPR and deposit return systems are designed, implemented, and operationalized. Rather than discussing policy in the abstract, participants engage directly with the institutions, infrastructure, and people who make these systems run.
What will I walk away with that I can't get from briefings, webinars, or written research?
You will leave with a clearer understanding of how packaging EPR and DRS programs function operationally — not just in statute. You'll build direct relationships with European operators, regulators, and brand-side practitioners who will take your follow-up questions, gain a more realistic sense of what's transferable to U.S. contexts and what isn't, and bring back a concrete frame of reference for U.S. policy conversations — including state-specific implementation decisions.
How does this Expedition relate to the U.S. policy work Circle does year-round?
The Expedition is a deep-dive within Circle's broader programming — the Policy Circle for legislators and advisors, the Readiness Circle for obligated producers, and the year-round intelligence work that connects them. The international exposure gained here directly informs the U.S. work that follows.
Is the content geared toward people new to EPR and DRS, or toward those already working on implementation?
Both. Sessions are structured to give newer participants a clear foundation, while leaving room for deeper, scenario-specific questions from those already shaping or implementing U.S. policy or compliance programs.
Scope and content
Why Vienna and Bratislava?
Austria operates one of Europe's newest national deposit return systems, making it an ideal case study for U.S. states designing systems from scratch. Slovakia operates a national DRS that launched in 2022 and is widely cited as one of Europe's most operationally efficient. Together, the two locations give participants a side-by-side look at a young and a more established system — and the chance to see the design choices behind each.
Who attends
How many participants will attend?
The Expedition is intentionally small — designed for a focused group of policymakers, industry leaders, and ecosystem stakeholders. The group size supports meaningful access to host organizations and substantive peer dialogue rather than large-format presentations.
Is this open to my supplier, consultant, or external advisor?
Suppliers, converters, and external consultants may participate subject to capacity and our review process. Circle prioritizes a mix of perspectives across the value chain to ensure productive dialogue.
Confidentiality
Are sessions held under Chatham House Rule?
Yes. The Expedition operates under the Chatham House Rule. Participants are free to use the information and insights they receive but may not attribute specific comments to individuals, companies, or organizations outside the meeting. This is intended to support candid discussion and honest exchange.
Getting there & on-site
How do I get there?
Participants are responsible for their international travel to Vienna. Vienna International Airport (VIE) is the primary gateway, with frequent service from major U.S. hubs.
What about visas?
U.S. passport holders do not require a visa for short-term travel to Austria or Slovakia. A valid U.S. passport is all that's needed for entry.
What's the dress code?
Business casual for sessions and site visits. Some site visits will require closed-toe shoes; specifics will be provided in pre-arrival materials.
Will meals accommodate dietary restrictions?
Yes. Dietary restrictions and allergies should be flagged at registration and will be coordinated with each venue.
Circle Program · Policy Circle
Circular Policy Expeditionary Summit
Vienna, Austria & Bratislava, Slovakia
Monday, July 6 – Friday, July 10, 2026
Chatham House Rule
Day 1 · Monday
July 6 · Vienna, Austria
Jaz Hotel · between Prater Park & Vienna’s Historic District
Throughout the day
Participant Arrivals
Check in to the group’s hotel.
Jaz Hotel
7:30 – 9:30 PM
Welcome Reception & Introductions
Check in and meet fellow participants over light food and refreshments.
TBA · walking distance from Jaz Hotel
Day 2 · Tuesday
July 7 · Vienna, Austria
8:00 – 9:00 AM
Breakfast Available & Legislator Learning Goals
Begin the week by informally discussing learning priorities and key questions participants hope to explore over breakfast.
Jaz Hotel · conference room TBA
9:00 – 10:15 AM
Overview of Deposit Return & U.S. Scene Setting
Scene-set the current deposit return landscape in the United States and discuss common policy questions and implementation considerations. Engage in open Q&A with experts and participants.
Jaz Hotel · conference room TBA
Featured Voices
US Overview — Who is Who?The Recycling Partnership
What is recycling refund? Who are the main stakeholders?
Impetus of US recycling refund and decentralized system structures
Pairing with packaging EPR in the US
US Hot Topics & Common QuestionsRecycleMe USA
What Might Translate, What Might NotClearStrategy
Discussion of fraud prevention, retail redemption mandates, redemption technologies, centralized system operator and producer roles, unredeemed funds & scrap sales
10:15 AM – 12:00 PM
Introduction to European & Austrian Recycling Refund & Key Stakeholder Panel
Hear directly from leaders involved in Austria’s newly implemented recycling refund (deposit return) system. Discussions examine system & policy design, governance, technology, and recovery & recycling rates.
Jaz Hotel · conference room TBA
10:15 – 11:15 AM
Austrian recycling refund system operator introduces mandate, policy, governance, and system operations.
Monika Fiala· Managing Director, EWP Recycling Pfand Österreich gGmbH
Key system stakeholders reflect on roles, logistics, and system evolution.
Beverage industry & EWP Board representatives
Daniel Olah· Managing Director, TOMRA Collection Austria
Anna Larsson· Director of Circular Economy Development, Reloop
12:00 – 1:00 PM
Lunch
Jaz Hotel · conference room TBA
1:00 – 3:30 PM
Site Visits · Redemption Sites & Technology Tour
Travel to a variety of recycling refund return points, including kiosks in markets and bulk drop-off locations. Understand consumer access & ease, technologies, and options for drop-off.
Various locations, Müllendorf, Austria
3:30 – 4:30 PM
Transit Return to Hotel
4:30 – 5:30 PM
Open Q&A · Expert Debrief & State Contextualization
Reflect on key observations and discuss how lessons from Austria and the European policy landscape may translate to participants’ home states. Come with questions. Hear Day 2 reminders.
Hotel and/or Prater Park, weather permitting
7:00 PM
Group Dinner
Schweizerhaus, Prater Park, Vienna
Day 3 · Wednesday
July 8 · Vienna → Bratislava
7:30 – 8:30 AM
Breakfast & Day Overview
Jaz Hotel · conference room TBA
8:30 – 10:45 AM
Bus Vienna to Slovakia & Deposit Return System Comparisons
Transfer from Vienna to Slovakia. During transit, participants discuss similarities and differences between Austrian and Slovak recycling refund systems and broader European trends.
Featured Voice
Anna Larsson· Director of Circular Economy Development, Reloop
11:00 AM – 12:20 PM
Site Visit · Slovak Central Deposit Sorting Facility
Visit the central sorting facility of the Slovak recycling refund system in Kočovce and meet system operators, including European Deposit Return System Association (EDRSA) leadership. Examine the behind-the-scenes of how returned containers are sorted, verified, and prepared for onward recycling.
Kočovce, Slovakia
Featured Voices
Milan Ježovica· Secretary General, European Deposit Return System Association
Borbála Agócsová· Office & Program Manager, European Deposit Return System Association
12:30 – 1:45 PM
Lunch & Transit
Traditional Slovak lunch under a historical castle and networking with European recycling refund system stakeholders.
Restaurant Kúria Beckov, Beckov, Slovakia
1:45 – 3:00 PM
Slovak Recycling Refund System Leadership Briefing
Hear directly from system leadership about the design, implementation, and performance of Slovakia’s national recycling refund system.
Kočovce Environmental Center, Kočovce, Slovakia
1:45 – 2:00 PM
Welcome & Local Government Perspective.
Monika Kopúnová· Mayor, Kočovce Municipality
2:00 – 3:00 PM
Debrief the Slovak recycling refund system, relationships with European frameworks and neighboring country management, and Q&A.
Marián Áč· CEO, Slovak Deposit Return System & President, European Deposit Return System Association
3:00 – 4:30 PM
Introduction to U.S. Packaging EPR & Legislator Discussion
Scene-set the U.S.’s current packaging EPR landscape, understand key system stakeholders, and discuss common policy questions and implementation considerations. Engage in open Q&A with legislative leaders behind passed EPR legislation and policy experts.
3:00 – 3:45 PM
Introduction to U.S. packaging EPR.
US Overview — Who is Who?The Recycling Partnership
Hot Topics & What to WatchClearStrategy
3:45 – 4:30 PM
Conversation with Representative Sydney Jordan, Author & Sponsor of Minnesota’s Packaging EPR Legislation (2024).
4:30 – 6:30 PM
Transit to Bratislava Central Historic District
6:00 – 6:30 PM
Quick Stop · Retail Collection Point Visit
Wrap up the deposit return focus with a visit to a Slovak retail collection location. Observe how consumers return containers and how retailers participate in the recycling refund system.
Supermarket Billa, en route to Bratislava Central Historic District
6:30 – 8:00 PM
Dinner Along the Danube
Networking and informal discussion with European system stakeholders.
TBA, Bratislava Central Historic District
8:00 – 9:30 PM
Explore Historic Bratislava
9:30 – 11:00 PM
Return to Jaz Hotel, Vienna
Day 4 · Thursday
July 9 · Vienna, Austria
7:30 – 8:30 AM
Breakfast Available
Jaz Hotel · conference room TBA
8:30 – 10:00 AM
Transfer to Material Recovery Facility (MRF) Site Visit
10:00 AM – 1:30 PM
PreZero MRF Site Visit
See recovery, sortation, and pre-processing first-hand. Understand the role of packaging sortation in EPR systems and hear from facility leadership and Reclay on offtake and end markets, scene-setting Austrian and European recycling markets.
PreZero Sortation Facility
Featured Voices
PreZero Facility Leadership
Adrian Vannahme· Chief Executive Officer, Reclay North America
1:30 – 3:00 PM
Lunch & Transit to Austro-American Society
Lunch TBA
3:00 – 5:30 PM
Introduction to European & Austrian Packaging EPR
Explore broader European circular policy frameworks, including the currently evolving EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (EU PPWR) and Waste Framework Directive. Deep-dive with the stakeholders responsible for packaging EPR implementation in Austria, including Reclay (one of the system’s Producer Responsibility Organizations) and the association of European PROs.
Austro-American Society Office, Vienna
Featured Voices
Dr. Fritz Flanderka· Managing Director, Reclay Group
Adrian Vannahme· Chief Executive Officer, Reclay Stewardship North America
Dr. Julia Hobohm· CEO & Director, PRO Circularity Alliance
Dr. Tom Voege· Director of Policy, PRO Circularity Alliance
6:00 – 8:00 PM
Networking and Austrian Cultural Tasting
Austro-American Society Office, Vienna
Day 5 · Friday
July 10 · Vienna, Austria
8:00 – 9:30 AM
Check Out, Luggage Storage & Breakfast Available
Jaz Hotel · conference room TBA
9:30 AM – 12:30 PM
Site Visits · Tour of Curbside Waste & Recycling Collection System with MA48
Magistratsabteilung 48 (MA48) is the municipal department responsible for waste management, street cleaning, and collection vehicle fleet management in Vienna. In a bus tour guided by MA48 leadership, visit municipal waste management operations to better understand how municipal collection and recycling services function under Austria’s packaging EPR program.
Site visits throughout Vienna City Municipality
12:30 PM
Transit to Lunch
12:30 – 2:30 PM
Lunch & Final Group Debrief
Conclude the expedition with informal reflections on key insights and opportunities to translate lessons into participants’ home jurisdictions. Answer outstanding questions and reflect on learning goals. Participants begin to disburse for return flights.
TBA, Vienna · near Jaz Hotel
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