Andy Moore, the former figurehead of the Campaign for Real Recycling (CRR), now director of UK Recyclate Ltd, is standing as the Green Party candidate in the Forest of Dean, where he will be contesting the Pillowell ward.
Mr Moore will be known to many within the recycling sector for his part in the legal case against the government over its interpretation of the Waste Framework Directive, and whether commingling of recyclable materials can be allowed.
The case culminated in a High Court hearing in early 2013, which ultimately resulted in a ruling in favour of the government’s interpretation of the law (see letsrecycle.com story).
However, since the ruling, Mr Moore, a staunch advocate of separate collection of recyclables, has warned that he could step in to pursue legal action against local authorities who may not be following the letter of the law on separate collections (see letsrecycle.com story).
Campaign
When contacted by letsrecycle.com Mr Moore said that his work as part of UK Recyclate Ltd and his political campaigning will remain separate but he has pledged to campaign on ‘socially progressive’ community issues.
In his mission statement on the Forest of Dean Green Party website, he stated: “Mostly I’ve worked in recycling and waste related disciplines, initially for Friends of the Earth in the 90s and then within the third sector. This [sic] last few years I’ve been working as a campaigner, tracking compliance with the Waste Framework Directive. We are still far too wasteful and there’s plenty of room for improvement on that front.
“All socially-progressive and community issues are interesting to me. I’m particularly interested in the possibilities for local energy and economic systems. I like to play my part in the community and am currently chair of governors to the Blakeney and Pillowell Schools Federation.
“I’ve been a Green Party member since the 80s and am delighted to be able to stand for elected office on this occasion.”
Issues
Recycling and waste is one of a number of issues up for debate in the forthcoming Forest of Dean council election alongside planning and wildlife issues – with voting to take place on May 7, the same day as the General Election.
A Conservative coalition group currently controls the district council, holding just 19 of the available 48 seats, with Labour close behind on 16.
The Green Party holds none of the available seats on the council, and locally it is expected that of the fringe parties, UKIP, which already holds one seat and two Gloucerstershire county council seats, is likely to hold greater sway in the polls.
On the waste front, Forest of Dean council is one of four local authorities set to move to a joint waste service with contractor Ubico (see letsrecycle.com story), while the borough is also one of those whose waste would be treated under the £500 million contract between Gloucestershire council and Urbaser, which has come under criticism from local councillors (see letsrecycle.com story).
Comingled collection + MRF + EFW best route for waste disposal costwise and lowest environmental impacts. EU recycling directives are not mandatory but for guidance and individual councils should examine the overall cost and environmental balance in formulating their recycling policies.