Former arc21 chief executive Mr Quinn has promised to focus on the circular economy for his term as the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) president in 2014/15, and urged the Institution to “grasp this concept with both hands”.
Speaking at his inauguration, which took place in front of 150 guests at the Northern Ireland Assembly at Stormont in Belfast on Tuesday, Mr Quinn said the circular economy is “one of the most exciting and challenging trends that will shape the future of our industry in the medium to long term”.
However, Mr Quinn conceded that the report revealed “mixed views” from within the waste management industry and that there is “still a lot to be done” to develop the concept, which he said CIWM should play a key role in.
Mr Quinn said: “We should be helping to address the gaps that need to be filled in – gaps in our knowledge and data, gaps in our networks and relationships, and gaps in our thinking and arguments
The report – ‘The Circular Economy: what does it mean for the waste and resource management sector?’ – calls for the development of an Action Group to engage stakeholders on the circular economy; to embed the concept into CIWM’s training structures; and to support other circular economy initiatives.
Findings
Authored by Ray Georgeson, director of Ray Georgeson Resources, and Beasley Associates director Dr Jane Beasley, the report presents the findings of an electronic survey of 612 respondents from across the waste management industry as well as 54 detailed interviews with industry leaders.
As well as a degree of “genuine excitement” over the concept, the findings of the survey suggest some scepticism of the circular economy concept. It also reveals a lack of clarity over its meaning and a lack of leadership.
There is “little evidence of planning” for the circular economy, according to the survey, with only 27% of respondents reportedly saying they are doing “any even modest level of planning” for the circular economy.
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In addition, few organisations or sectors are seen as “well prepared” for the circular economy, with local authorities, English policy makers and retailers seen as the least prepared.
The report also concludes that CIWM is seen by most respondents as being “insufficiently prepared” for the circular economy, although it was felt that the Institution has an “important role to play as one of a wider group of stakeholders” in development of the concept.
The report states: “It was clear from interviews and the survey that if the circular economy is to be a permanent change and even a paradigm shift, not just a marketing and policy makers’ fad, then the lack of clarity and direction makes it even more important for the CIWM to be a facilitator, networker, disseminator and catalyst at the heart of the unfolding debate.”
John Quinn
A chartered civil engineer and chartered environmentalist, Mr Quinn takes over as CIWM president for 2014/15 from the outgoing David Beadle, and is the first man from Northern Ireland to take up the mantle.
After an early period in the private sector before moving into local government in 1980, Mr Quinn was in 2004 appointed chief executive of arc21, a collaboration of 11 councils in the eastern region of the province which came together to implement the region’s waste management plan.
The 99th CIWM president, Mr Quinn has also previously held office in the local Institution of Civil Engineers, the Association of Municipal Engineers, and the Technical Advisers Group (TAG), and was a founder member of ADLO (the predecessor to APSE).
CIWM chief executive, Steve Lee, said: “John will bring a wealth of experience, skills and personal strengths to the job, as well as energetic commitment. His focus on ensuring that CIWM supports the sector in leveraging its skills, experience and dynamism to make a real contribution to the circular economy goal is both timely and welcome.”
Mr Quinn will lead a presidential team comprising of senior vice president Professor Jim Baird and junior vice president Professor Margaret Bates.
Northern Ireland
The inauguration event was also attended by NI environment minister Mark H Durkan, who as well as launching his department’s Operational Plan for managing and regulating waste in NI, congratulated Mr Quinn on starting his term as CWIM president.
Mr Durkan joked: “I suppose it could be said of John that he has been steeped in waste throughout his career.”
He added: “I would like to congratulate John and wish him and the Institution all the best for his term in office.”
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