Another successful LARAC UK Conference has reminded me why this event is the highlight of our year: the people, the ideas and the pride in our sector.
LARAC
We began by welcoming our Ecogenesys - sponsored scholars. With applications stronger than ever before this year, securing a place was an achievement. Scholars met one another, heard from some of our Executive team about working across different waste authorities (two of whom were Scholars!), and explored the world of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) and the valuable work of compliance schemes.
LARAC
Our Meet the Exec evening brought everyone together over a tasty buffet in a relaxed atmosphere. Vice Chair and Yorkshire and Humber representative James Ward became quizmaster for the evening, with fantastic prizes provided by our friends at Contenur who sponsor this annual get together.
Then came two packed conference days. Day one featured contributions from PackUK, WRAP and others, alongside a panel exploring reduction, reuse and repair. A huge well done to Gareth for chairing his first LARAC conference. I particularly enjoyed his opening speech and what a fantastic contribution as he approaches the end of his first year as Chair.
At our AGM, we welcomed our incoming newly elected Executive representatives: Kelly Heller in the South East, Claire Shears in the South West, David Reaney in Northern Ireland and Sally Talbot as a national representative. Thank you to Ian Upstone, Ruth Edwards, Lynsey Daly and Andrew Bird for their contributions – we thank you all for your time and commitment to the LARAC Executive, and congratulations to everyone who was re-elected. Representing members across the UK remains central to everything we do.
The awards were another highlight. Thank you to everyone who entered, and congratulations to our deserving winners. Although everyone cannot take home gold, your entries demonstrate the extraordinary range of work and skill that goes into making services succeed on the ground. I might be biased, but recycling and waste must be among the most exciting council departments to work in!
LARAC
Our fab host Simon Evans kept the evening buzzing with lots of laughs, and thank you to everyone who brought the dance floor to life!
On day two, packed workshops, some with standing room only, gave us plenty to consider. We will use that interest to shape future member support, including potential webinar topics.
Seeing your LinkedIn reflections has been wonderful. Members, partners, sponsors, speakers and workshop chairs all make this event what it is. A special thank you to Issy and the letsrecycle.com events team – 10 months of planning, delivered something special. The work behind the scenes makes it all appear so seamless!
Now we return to planning LARAC UK Conference 2027: please save 13 and 14 October in your calendars. Dates for LARAC Wales, LARAC Scotland and the CIWM Waste Management Conference in Northern Ireland will follow in the new year. I hope everyone arrived home safely, with fresh ideas and connections. See you next year!
Toni McNamara
Executive Director, LARAC
