Opening the LARAC Wales conference this year, Russ Owens from the Welsh Government reminded us all why we are in this industry - it's worth quoting from his presentation:
"There are many variables that Local Authorities have to consider when providing local waste and recycling services.
There are severe financial pressures.
There are logistical concerns.
There are aesthetic concerns.
What everyone with responsibility for these services should understand though is that all these factors become irrelevant if we cannot achieve one planet living"
A stark reminder that no matter what the politics (even today!) - it's the environment that ultimately governs what happens to us all.
That thought concentrated minds when it came to the nuts and bolts presentations on how to make the most of all the tools available to us to achieve that 70% target.
Chris Jonas from Viridor looked at how the quality of recycling is effected by the infrastructure that governs its treatment and then we looked at how to maximise both kerbside and non-kerbside collections, with Eric Bridgwater and Sheridan Hilton. Cardiff's presentation stressed the need for an extensive educational campaign as a precursor to strong enforcement.
That led us on to effective communications to increase recycling, from WRAP, looking at the Recycle for Wales strategy for increasing recycling - tools for encouraging families to consistently recycle the right things throughout the home - this was followed up with the logical next step: looking at Re-use from WRAP Cymru. Brian Mayne from Ricardo focused all our minds with a bottle of beer and a look at new ways of funding - very relevant with the removal of the sustainable waste management grant. Of course, Pay as you Throw came in here. The bottle of beer - well to find out where that fits in you should log in to the members' area and read Brian's presentation - it is there with all the rest.
Andy Rees, Head of Waste Strategy at the Welsh Government - pulled us back to the bigger Welsh picture as a summing up - pointing out that among other things Welsh legislation already takes Wales beyond the EU targets with the Environment Wales Act (2016) and the Well-being of Future Generaltions (Wales) Act 2015.
The overall feeling from the conference? Q&A and debate was keen and informative, revealing a real desire for collaboration between government, private sector and LAs.
A good day in the mid-Wales countryside!
