As recycling officers across the UK look to work together more closely on recycling, ‘harmonisation’ is the new buzzword on the lips of many in the sector. Nowhere is this more key than in London, where the resources minister Rory Stewart – the driving force behind Defra’s harmonisation push – cited the so-called ‘Berlin Walls’ on London streets in his rallying call for more joined-up thinking.
But, the challenges of delivering a more joined-up service are far from straightforward, especially when biting budget cuts still coming down the line from central government are factored into the mix. This year’s London Conference will explore the key themes of harmonisation in an urban environment, from collections to communications.
We’ll also look further afield, and see what lessons we can learn from outside of the capital city, from our UK and European neighbours.