This was the stark message from the waste business’ chief executive Ian McAulay, who was speaking at the CIWM, ESA and Resource Association’s ‘Resourcing the Future’ Conference in London yesterday (14 June).
Taking the podium to debate the EU Circular Economy Action Plan, Mr McAulay noted that “good progress” had been made to educate the UK public on recycling and reuse in recent years.
But, he added that further government austerity could hinder adoption of the European Commissions’ Circular Economy Package – which sets out a number of ambitious targets for EU Member States up to 2030.
He said: “The EU Circular Economy package will fail without British leadership. We need to tailor our message to our audience and to make sure they understand what the Circular Economy is.
“But I believe we currently do not have the proper infrastructure in place. Our current infrastructure is ageing and is in need of new investment.”
Mr McAulay added: “We must not allow austerity to kill off education as without it we will fail. There is a role for local authorities and businesses to work together in the future – but my company will not invest unless there are clear returns.”
Others speakers at the session included Dr Kieran Mayers, head of environment and technology compliance at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, Vanya Veras, Municipal Waste Europe secretary general and Joan-Marc Simon, director of Zero Waste Europe.
Referendum
Panellists David Newman, president of the International Solid Waste Association, and Andy Doran, senior manager of sustainability and recycling development at Novelis Europe, also shared their views on the UK’s upcoming EU referendum.
Mr Newman suggested that a vote to leave the EU would put its waste and recycling sector at risk.
He said: “Much of the legislation in the waste sector has come from the European Union over the past 25 years, and if we vote to leave I fear for the future of the sector.
“As a sector we need to be thinking ahead. I have asked audiences in Washington, Denmark and London what carbon fibre is and no-one is thinking about it. Carbon fibre is already in our waste stream, so we need to think about it.
“The sector faces challenges. Globally only 20% of waste is recycled, the other 80% is still sent to landfill.”
Future
Mr Doran also argued there is no “reward” for Britain in leaving the EU. He went on to predict that the Circular Economy would take on a different meaning for future generations.
He said: “I believe consumerism will change in the next 10 to 15 years and that how my kids see assets will differ to how my generation sees things now.”
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