Author Information: Andy Hartley
is programme director for Recycling Action Yorkshire – a not-for-profit organisation funded by Yorkshire Forward and supported by the European Regional Development Fund. Last year he was appointed chair of ReMaDe Network UK.
Andy built his career in the glass industry where he was responsible for projects that increased glass recycling by 675,000 tonnes. He established the GlassAction forum for glass reprocessors and established partnerships between the glass industry and bodies such as WRAP, LARAC and Defra.
Mr Hartley says it's time to look to 2030 after reviewing a ‘future gazing' study for his region.
2030 in Yorkshire and the Humber has been mapped out in research by the Henley Centre and Yorkshire Futures.
Researchers describe a low carbon scenario and lots of issues the recycling sector would be advised to build into strategic thinking. Although designed for my region, some of the themes in the research could equally apply to many parts of the UK.
Picture the scene: it is 2030, oil prices have reached $150 a barrel, production has peaked and supply is volatile. Renewables make up almost 20% of total energy which is also traded across Europe.
In business, closed loop production is the norm and new business models have emerged where materials and products are leased rather than sold. Supreme resource efficiency is considered normal good business practice.
An 80% GHG statutory reduction target is in place; GHG allocations to all businesses are being cut and ‘green' taxes based on the sustainable consumption and production model are favoured by Government.
Commercial and industrial waste has been reduced by 45% and landfill of household waste is down by 75%. Landfill costs have trebled and producer responsibility legislation extends to areas such as the chemicals industry, food producers and processors, and the construction sector.
The growing season has extended by a month, sea levels have risen 15cm and average temperatures are 1.6oC higher, benefiting some agricultural areas. Overall less rain falls but it now falls in more frequent, violent storms which cause sudden and severe floods.
Consumer goods companies, retailers and the public sector are held to account in delivering services which are carbon neutral and send zero waste to landfill. Consumers have deserted major international brands which tried to ‘green wash' this issue. Consumption of local food and other materials has grown along with industry's use of rail and water transport.
Long term forecasting is as much an art as a science but waiting for government targets and policy on climate change sometimes leaves the recycling sector in a reactionary position and on the back foot.
Wouldn't life be better if we took a more proactive stance and set our ambitions against a bigger vision? Transform your planning: imagine the potential for your business in 2030.
Subscribe for free