I caught up with our new policy officer, Tom, in early June at the National Letsrecycle Conference in London. The speakers on the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) helped further inform some of our responses to the mammoth consultation. If you missed the recent LARAC webinar on ETS at EfW, I highly recommend catching up on it here to understand its implications for you and your council. LARAC has shared a draft response to the consultation and will finalise it in the coming weeks. Members can find it here. Please get in touch if you want to comment or have questions!
Another highlight was the annual Waste Management Conference in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was a day full of relevant content aimed at helping councils navigate upcoming changes in recycling and waste services across the country. Northern Ireland has just concluded a consultation process on proposals for future services, making this conference particularly timely. Alongside Lynsey, our Northern Ireland rep, we held a workshop on improving reuse at Household Recycling Centres, showcasing successful examples, like the Second Chance Saloon in Wigan.
Returning from Belfast, I headed to Telford for the LARAC/CIWM Midlands event at the Craemer site. Despite the scorching heat, the event was a success, with positive feedback from members who found the day immensely beneficial. The food, as always, was on point, too. It was also an excellent opportunity to reconnect with old colleagues and chat with LARAC members. You can download the slides here.
I wound up an eventful June at the NCAS Conference in Manchester at the Suez RENEW Hub. The Hub is a treasure trove of reuse commerce and creativity, demonstrating how discarded items are inherently valuable and can have a second lease of life. I was particularly impressed with the upholsterer and carpenter who breathe new life into old items and sell them for a profit, showcasing the potential of reuse.
On an exciting note, Scotland has passed its Circular Economy Bill through Parliament. This landmark legislation provides a roadmap towards mindful resource management, driving down waste and promoting the waste hierarchy. Despite the challenges ahead, this development marks a significant step forward for Scotland.
As we approach the upcoming elections, the smooth transition into a less wasteful future hinges on the support and direction provided by the new government. We hope that whatever the outcome, our sector will receive the backing necessary to progress towards our goals and aspirations for our councils and communities. Anyway, I won’t labour my point; let’s hope the results work in our favour!
Have a great summer, everyone.
