Taking place on 13 February 2019 at the Congress Centre in central London, the event will bring together delegates from across the industry to discuss and consider issues covered in Defra’s landmark strategy and associated consultation documents (see letsrecycle.com story).
The conference has been launched by industry bodies INCPEN, CIWM, the Environmental Services Association, the Resource Association, and WRAP working with letsrecycle.com
With consultations being published in late January, this conference will provide essential advice, guidance and discussion.
Starting with a high-level set of speakers, the conference will detail the aims of the Strategy and then explore the consultation documents.
The event will help you shape your responses on subjects including: Consistency in local authority recycling and waste services; a Deposit Return Scheme; a tax on plastic containers without a 30% recycled content; and reforms to the packaging waste system through changes to Extended Producer Responsibility.
Emphasis on the day will be for a set of presentations on the core topics and then contain panels of sector experts to focus in on specific topics. There will be plenty of opportunity to network and discuss topics with colleagues from inside and outside your own area of expertise.
The event is expected to be of interest to local authorities, reprocessors, retailers, the waste management sector, packaging companies, manufacturers and all those involved in the circular economy.
Sessions
INCPEN’s Paul Vanston will kick off the event with a welcome address, followed by Defra’s Chris Preston, who is expected to set the scene for proceedings.
The morning will also see a session of packaging reform, PRNs and taxation, with presentations from Jon Travis, HM Treasury and Phil Conran, ACP.
A session on packaging, funding and the DRS will take place before lunch, chaired by ESA’s Jacob Hayler, and a panel discussion with panellists to be confirmed.
After lunch, consistency will form the topic of the first session with Claire Shrewsbury of WRAP and a panel debate chaired by the Resource Association’s Ray Georgeson, followed by a final session with the theme yet to be confirmed.
“Now is the critical time for all colleagues to fully understand – and prepare for – the consequences of the reforms because the consultations aim to set-up radical new systems that last a generation.”
Paul Vanston
INCPEN
‘Critical time’
Welcoming the launch of the conference, INCPEN’s Paul Vanston, said: “A year ago Michael Gove asked INCPEN and WRAP to give him recommendations on recycling and packaging reforms after discussions with many key sectors. We’re delighted our recommendations directly fed through to the Resources & Waste Strategy and the Defra consultations expected shortly are hyper-important in delivering whole-system change.
“Now is the critical time for all colleagues to fully understand – and prepare for – the consequences of the reforms because the consultations aim to set-up radical new systems that last a generation. That is why this sector-led conference provided by INCPEN, CIWM, ESA, Resource Association, WRAP and LetsRecycle is a must-attend for colleagues who are drafting consultation responses on behalf of councils, waste management companies, retailers, household brands, recyclers, and reprocessors among many.”
Claire Shrewsbury, head of government and communities at WRAP said: “The Resources & Waste Strategy contains clear, well-evidenced policies which should result in a step change in how we manage England’s resources, and we look forward to working with Defra and our partners to turn these policies into real-world action. There is also much more to be decided through the forthcoming consultations, when businesses, local authorities and citizens will have the opportunity to help shape how these policies are delivered. That’s why we’re very pleased to be launching this conference, in conjunction with our colleagues, to equip the sector with the knowledge and evidence it needs in order to respond to the consultations effectively.”
Information
The venue is the Congress Centre, WC1B 3LS near Tottenham Court Road and Holborn underground stations and is easily accessible from mainline stations.
For more information and to book your place click here.
Resources and Waste Strategy Unwrapped is an event run by Environment Media Group, parent company of letsrecycle.com
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