Tuesday, October 20

Wednesday, October 21

Closing the Data Gap: The Case for Data Collaboration in the Age of AI and EPR - Chris McLellan

This presentation examines why the private secondary materials sector struggles to demonstrate its value in policy discussions, and what it would take to change that. As Extended Producer Responsibility schemes and international treaties like the Basel Convention take shape, decisions are increasingly made on the strength of reported evidence, and the operators best able to supply that evidence are those that report as single entities, namely municipalities and large enterprises.

Independent businesses are at a disadvantage in this environment, and the reason is structural. SMART members collectively handle enormous volumes of material and are responsible for many operational innovations, but the data that helps prove it is fragmented across hundreds of separate companies and has never been brought together in a form that will make an impact on policymakers and regulators.

A practical route forward exists, built on the core principles of the Data Collaboration Framework, an international standard approved by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). It outlines an approach to data sharing that reflects the need for privacy, anonymity, and control by contributors while still supporting the wider goals of the private secondhand textile sector. What's notable is that members already collect, sort and use secondhand textiles, and this is very similar to the way data collaboration works. Artificial intelligence can simplify the data collection process, and save the SMART team time and money required to transform member data into powerful reports and policy responses.

The goal is to inspire members with practical tips on taking a more data-led approach to advocating for their industry, so they can secure a rightful place alongside municipal and enterprise players as key decisions in secondhand textiles are made.

Thursday, October 22

This presentation examines how potential developments under the Basel Convention could affect different operators across the second-hand clothing and textile supply chain, from collectors, sorters and exporters in origin countries to importers, distributors, wholesalers, market traders, recyclers and waste-management operators in destination countries.

Drawing on supply-chain research and field evidence, the presentation will demonstrate why where and how used textiles are classified as waste matters. Changes to definitions, technical guidelines or transboundary movement requirements could have very different implications depending on where an operator sits in the value chain, potentially affecting trade procedures, costs, market access and the movement of material intended for reuse, recycling or disposal.

The presentation will also highlight why direct participation in the Basel process is critical. Decisions should be informed by evidence from the operators who collect, sort, trade, reuse and recycle these materials in practice. Greater engagement from industry associations, businesses and stakeholders—particularly from importing and exporting countries—can help ensure that policymakers understand how the supply chain actually functions and the potential consequences of different policy options.

The objective is therefore not only to explain what Basel could mean for the sector, but also why the sector needs to participate now, communicate the evidence clearly and ensure that the perspectives of operators throughout the supply chain are represented as the discussions progress.