As yet, full details of the new relationship between the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management – which has more than 6,500 UK members – and the ESA – which represents most of the UK's waste management companies – are still to emerge. However, it is clear that the organisations are taking further their recent existing cooperation over the new waste and recycling exhibition, Futuresource.
The closer relationship was announced at the Environmental Services Association's annual lunch in London last Friday (November 28).
The closer-working comes in the wake of cooperation between the two bodies over Futuresource, the successor event to the Torbay exhibition and conference. Traditionally waste management companies had not exhibited at Torbay and Futuresource, to be held in London next June 2008 has seen a “rapprochement” between CIWM and ESA with the latter strongly endorsing the London event and waste management companies agreeing to exhibit. The show is now branded as “a joint-event”.
Now, it is expected that in the future the two organisations will be working together in a number of areas including policy and communications – the CIWM has its headquarters in Northampton while ESA has its head office in central London.
Speaking at the ESA luncheon, which was attended by more than 500 members and guests, Richard Skehens, managing director of Grundon Waste Management, who was stepping down as ESA chairman, spoke of the new relationship and said: “We will be speaking with one voice.”
The new chairman, Malcolm Ward, chief executive of Cory Environmental, went further. He said: “We will be saving money as working together should be more cost-effective and will provide better communication with government.”
Steve Lee, chief executive of the CIWM told letsrecycle.com: “We won't be getting lost in the detail whatever is decided. The resources revolution needs strong coordination and a clear voice from those of us who are making it happen.”
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