Responsible End Markets & Supply Chain Development for PCR Summit
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Circle Summit · December 14–16, 2026
Responsible End Markets & Supply Chain Development for PCR Summit
A two-day meeting for producers, converters, recyclers, material suppliers, NGOs and regulators. We will go through how responsible end market rules affect recycling rates, PCR supply and EPR compliance.
Travel: Arrive Monday, December 14 for the evening welcome reception. Programming runs all day Tuesday and Wednesday. You can fly home Wednesday after the program ends at 5 PM, or Thursday morning.
About the summit
Where does recycled material go after it leaves the MRF?
EPR laws in California and other states count material as recycled only when a responsible end market processes it. Producers, recyclers and regulators now need to know where material goes after the MRF, and whether it becomes usable flake, pellet or product.
Most of the companies we have spoken with are still working out what this means for them. The summit puts each part of the supply chain in one room to go through the rules and the data they call for, and to talk about how to make more PCR that meets converter specs.
The steps material passes through
MRF (inbound)
MRF (outbound)
Broker
Reclaimer
Flake or pellet
Converter
Packaging
In partnership with
Developed with the organizations building responsible end markets
The Recycling Partnership
Circular Action Alliance
Association of Plastic Recyclers
Hosted by Circle at RTI International, Research Triangle Park, NC.
Program
Five program topics
We are building the agenda around these topics. Sessions and speakers will be posted soon.
Responsible end market verification
What qualifies as a responsible end market, and how a facility proves it.
Chain of custody and audits
Proof that material became a usable commodity or product
Data sharing and material tracking
What MRFs, brokers and reclaimers may be asked to report, and how that data gets shared.
Inbound and outbound reporting from MRF to reclaimer
Bale audits and sampling
Data-sharing agreements with MRFs and brokers
Keeping business data confidential
California producer compliance
California counts only tonnage processed by responsible end markets toward recycling rates. We will cover what that means for Unique Challenge Exemption applications.
Showing progress toward recycling rate targets
Why end market development matters to producers
End market development and investment
Where investment is needed so markets can take more material.
Infrastructure bottlenecks
How money moves between MRFs, brokers, reclaimers and converters
Building demand for recycled material
PCR demand and specifications
What PCR is available today and what converters need from it.
Where mechanical recycling can meet spec
Advanced recycling, mass balance and attribution
Getting PCR back into a producer’s own packaging
Reclaimers and converters
Reclaimers will hear the specs converters need. Converters will hear what reclaimers can produce today. Brands can use both to plan their PCR sourcing.
Other sessions we are planning
Who should attend
Every part of the supply chain
Brands and producers
Your EPR compliance plan now depends on end markets you may never buy from directly.
Converters
You turn PCR into packaging, so you know the specs it has to meet.
Reclaimers and end markets
New verification and audit requirements will apply to you. Obligated producers will be in the room.
MRFs, brokers and haulers
Requests for data and chain-of-custody records are likely coming. See what is being proposed.
Resin and material producers
Learn where mechanical recycling, advanced recycling and mass balance may fit.
Regulators and NGOs
Hear from operators about what the rules require in practice.
Who to send from a producer
This topic touches several teams. We suggest sending people from:
Agenda
Agenda
The agenda is in development. We will post sessions and speakers here.
Arrival evening
Monday, December 14
Arrive and join the welcome reception
Reception details coming soon.
Day 1
Tuesday, December 15
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET
Sessions coming soon.
Day 2
Wednesday, December 16
9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET
Sessions coming soon. The program ends at 5 PM, so you can fly home Wednesday evening or Thursday morning.
Free pre-summit webinar
Responsible End Markets 101
A free 90-minute webinar on the basics. If you are new to the topic, watch it before the summit. The summit sessions will assume you know this material.
Register
How to register
To register, fill out the RSVP form. A Circle team member will review it and email you the next steps for buying your ticket.
RSVP
Give us your name, organization, job title and email. We use the answers to plan sessions around the people in the room.
Open the RSVP formGet your ticket
After we review your RSVP, a Circle team member will email you a link to buy your ticket.
Your ticket includes
Both days of the program
The welcome reception and lunches during the summit
The October webinar recording
A written summary of themes after the summit
Ticket price
$2,000
Per person. Ticket links are sent by email after we review your RSVP.
Open the RSVP formFAQ
Frequently asked questions
What is a responsible end market?
Under EPR laws, a responsible end market is a verified facility that recycles collected material into a usable commodity or product and meets environmental and health standards. Recycling rates count only material processed by these facilities.
How do I register?
Fill out the RSVP form in the How to register section. A Circle team member will review it and email you the next steps for buying your ticket.
Who from my company should attend?
Producers should send people from procurement, EPR and compliance, sustainability and packaging. Include whoever handles certification or supplier quality, such as food-contact approvals. Suppliers, converters and recyclers should send commercial and technical staff.
I am new to this topic. Where should I start?
Watch the free Responsible End Markets 101 webinar in October. It covers the basics so the summit can spend its time on detailed questions.
Does attending count toward EPR compliance?
No. The summit is for learning and discussion. It does not change your reporting or compliance obligations. Guidance from producer responsibility organizations and state agencies still applies.
How are antitrust and confidentiality handled?
Antitrust counsel will attend. Participants may not share or ask for competitively sensitive information such as prices, costs, volumes or contract terms.
Sessions follow the Chatham House Rule. You can use what you hear, but you cannot say who said it.
When should I arrive and leave?
Arrive Monday, December 14 for the evening welcome reception. Tuesday and Wednesday are full days of programming, 9 AM to 5 PM ET. You can leave Wednesday after the program ends at 5 PM, or Thursday morning.
Will you share materials after the summit?
Yes. Attendees will get a written summary of the main themes. It will not name people or companies.
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