Speaking at an inauguration ceremony in Westminster last night (18 October) Professor Bates – Professor of Sustainable Wastes Management at the University of Northampton – said she was ‘honoured’ to take over the role from outgoing president Jim Baird.
Professor Bates also launched a report prepared for CIWM by Beasley Associates and Ray Georgeson Resources Ltd titled ‘Reuse in the UK’ which she claimed acknowledges the ‘challenges and issues’ to driving waste up the hierarchy, and called for an increased focus on reuse of goods ahead of other waste activities – including recycling.
She said: “Although the ways in which we treat and recycle waste are constantly improving, I am concerned that we focus too much on these aspects of the waste hierarchy without sufficient consideration of the options at the top, which will, I believe, be essential to delivering on a circular economy – whatever our (UK) version of a circular economy may be.”
Benefits
She noted that product reuse can have ‘significant social, economic and environmental benefits’ adding: “For me and the other members of the project steering group, it was felt very important that this report was a positive piece of work, celebrating the successes of the reuse sector and drawing on all the great experiences and practices out there.”
On an increased focus on reuse by policy makers, she said: “The findings of the report support my view that we need to have a greater policy focus on reuse, acknowledging its vital role in delivering a circular economy.
“Greater focus needs to be linked with better communication and awareness. I have concerns that many people think that recycling is the best thing that they can do for the environment – so long as it can be recycled it doesn’t matter what I buy.”
Professor Bates also used her address to highlight research on consumption of products carried out by ENV23 – looking at the way products are consumed by the public, which she claimed could help to inform future discussions on the role of producers in the waste chain.
She said: “This should be part of the discussion about the future role of Extended Producer Responsibility, and perhaps Brexit gives us an opportunity to do this, to develop a framework for the UK that is embraced by the whole value chain.”
With Margaret Bates taking over from Professor Jim Baird, the 2016/17 Presidential team comprises President: Professor Margaret Bates, Senior Vice President: Professor David Wilson MBE and incoming Junior Vice President: Enda Kiernan.
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