Speaking at WME 2026
Europe’s leading event dedicated to reducing, recycling and reusing
comes to Bologna (Italy) for its 5th annual edition.
Taking place between
19th and 21th May 2026
The Waste Management Europe conference & exhibition is building upon previous editions with a larger and more diverse conference programme bringing together thousands of leading waste management and circular economy experts, executives and policymakers.
Last year we welcomed nearly 5,000 dedicated industry professionals and decision-makers to Bergamo and in 2025 we expect to increase these numbers by more than 30% based on the major interest and commitment already shown by international organisations.
We now call for your expertise as a potential speaker on the strategic agenda, or technical theatre, and invite you to upload a short (300-600 word) abstract of your proposed speech or presentation
Improving Environmental Sustainability
Tackling Climate Change
Better Resource Conservation
With improved management of waste and recycling practices, consumers and industry will better conserve precious natural resources. Connect with major producers and utilisers of natural resources including leading names in mining, energy production, construction and ecosystem management.
Growing the Economic Benefits
Clarifying Regulation & Laws
Raise Greater Public Perception
Strategic Conference Themes
Delivering Sustainability & the Circular Economy
- Implementing innovative processes to reduce waste
- Attaining objectives to decrease consumption and prevent waste generation
- Showcasing the latest case studies and concepts in “designing out” waste
Wastewater & Water Delivery: Better Management, Treatment & Recycling
- Enhancing water treatment processes and quality for users
- Introducing innovations and solutions for sewage and wastewater management
- Examining environmental and biodiversity best practices
Greener, Smarter Cities & Regions: Learning from the Best
- Showcasing case studies in waste management delivered by city & regional leadership
- Sharing international, national, and regional case studies
- Integrating cutting-edge technologies with practical implementations
- Promoting greater cooperation between regions and nations to reduce waste
Utilising Waste-to-Energy Cleanly & Efficiently
- Harnessing waste efficiently to cleaner energy
- Applications to drive more efficient, cleaner waste to energy processes
- More effective technologies to slash carbon emissions and minimise ash waste
- Practical applications of Waste-to-Energy with case studies
Harnessing AI and Big Data for Sustainable, Smarter Solutions
Maximising recycling efficiency through advanced applications of technology
Understanding the value of digitalised operations and applications
Driving innovation through embracing big data, cloud and RFID opportunities
Delivering more accurate, advanced, multi-purpose recycling operations for clients
Food & Agricultural Waste Management Strategies
Developing improved food systems to eliminate waste
Exploring uses for food waste, such as animal feed and bio-products
Highlighting biogas and anaerobic digestion projects
Reducing Business & Industrial Consumption – Cutting Waste
Decreasing energy and material consumption while enhancing efficiencies
Assessing the ecological footprint of your business
Implementing effective energy and materials management strategies to save money and reduce waste
Addressing the ongoing challenge of energy costs
Plastic Waste – Next Developments and Regulations
Predicting the implementation of plastic taxes across the EU and their impact on producers
Phasing out single-use plastics in consumer and industrial manufacturing processes
Showcasing innovations in packaging and materials storage
Delivering Sustainability & the Circular Economy
- Applying innovative processes to slash waste
- Delivering on goals to reduce consumption and prevent waste being created
- “Designing out” waste – latest case studies and concepts
Funding & Financing Low-Impact, Low-Waste Industries
- Circular economy strategies that reduce investor risks
- Realigning organizations to ESG-oriented investment strategies
- Driving medium and long-term competitiveness from embracing a zero-waste approach
Food & Agricultural Waste Management Strategies
- Building better food systems to eliminate waste
- Use for food waste – animal feeds, bio-products and more
- Biogas and Anaerobic digestion gas to power projects
Reducing Business & Industrial Consumption – Cutting Waste
- Cutting energy and materials consumption, raising efficiencies
- Measuring the ecological footprint of your business
- Effective energy and materials management strategies to save money and cut waste
- Critical importance of driving efficiencies during the ongoing energy cost challenge
Tackling Waste Crime – Regional, National & International Regulations
- Latest initiatives and laws shared and debated
- Inspiring case studies from law enforcement and regulators
- Driving cultural change from the ground up
- Engaging with businesses and citizens to drive down waste crime
Regional & National Strategies & Case Studies
- Where are we seeing bold, ambitious innovation in waste management?
- International, National and Regional case studies shared
- Engaging latest technologies with practical implementations
- Driving greater cooperation between regions and nations to slash waste
Recycling and Reuse Strategies for Success
- How can we reclaim more and landfill / burn less of our waste?
- Examining the technologies and processes that enable recycling of materials that once were too contaminated to reuse
- How can strategies and technologies be better integrated across waste management systems to significantly raise recycling levels?
Plastic Waste – Next Developments and Regulations
- Forecasts of plastic taxes across the EU and impacts on producers
- How can we phase out single use plastics across consumer and industrial manufacturing processes entirely?
- New technologies and innovations in packaging and materials storage
Tackling Water Shortages Through Better Management, Treatment & Recycling
- Improving water treatment processes and quality for users
- Innovations and solutions to sewage and waste water management
- Environmental and biodiversity best-practices examined
