As with any new job, there is always lots to learn, people to meet, and plenty to get to grips with.
My first two months here at LARAC have been busy – I really have 'hit the ground running', so I am grateful for this opportunity to take a moment to sit and reflect. Before I get into what I have been up to, I want to acknowledge how grateful I am to Carole, Cathy, Mariana, and the Exec, who have all made me feel welcome! They are a lovely team with an impressive collective knowledge of recycling, waste, and resource management. A massive thank you to Steve Gilfillan for his support on the policy front, too.
I have travelled up and down the UK, attending various events, starting with the National Food Waste Conference in London. I tagged along with our LARAC Scholars to a site visit at GAP recycling in Gateshead. The topic of vapes generated a lively discussion, and with facts like - 1.3 million vapes are discarded every week in the UK, it is easy to see why! No vape cloud could prevent us from seeing vapes' looming environmental and social issues. There is an urgent need for regulation, producer responsibility for end-of-life treatment, recyclability, and investment in collection infrastructure.
I attended two inspiring regional events: North East and Yorkshire & Humber – Focus on Flexible Plastics, where speakers offered perspectives across the supply chain, from trial collections with Local Authorities and waste management companies to MRFS sorting technology, to packaging design considerations and innovation. The takeaway from the day was that efforts and flexibility are vital across the industry when looking to reduce and recycle flexibles if we implement mandatory kerbside collections by 2027. CIWM/LARAC North West Regional Event was an excellent opportunity to network and meet LARAC NW members for the first time.
The LARAC Away Day in Birmingham generated many ideas for developing and improving support for our membership. Collections Packaging Reforms were discussed with a special guest – Chris Mills from WRAP- who talked to us about the LA eTEEP tool, MRF adaptability and business readiness. I left with plenty of actions, including creating policy working groups and increasing the number of regional meetings across the UK.
Last week I had the pleasure of travelling to Glasgow for my first official LARAC Scotland conference. It was a day jam-packed with opportunities to learn and network. We heard from speakers on various topics, including policy, employee mental health and best practice case studies from Scottish Authorities.
The pace is picking up, with no signs of slowing anytime soon, especially once the long-awaited consistency response and statutory guidance are released…
