Conference set to tackle resources, jobs and growth in circular economy

Recycling and waste management professionals, waste producers and local authorities, are among those being encouraged to attend the Resource Association Conference on 9 July 2014.

Taking place at London’s Park Plaza Victoria from 10:00-16:20, the event, organised by the Environment Media Group, aims to build a shared agenda for the much debated circular economy.

Resource Association Chief Executive, Ray Georgeson, will welcome delegates to the one-day programme, before handing over to keynote speaker, Mark Rowney. As a Research Fellow with the Institute of Public Policy Research, Mark will launch a new report: ‘Resources, Jobs and Growth’.

Supported by the Resource Association, the document is set to outline research findings on the circular economy. It will examine a range of proposals that could be adopted to achieve better use of resources, sustainable job creation and genuine fiscal development. It also promises to provide a catalyst that will stimulate further debate at the event and ongoing dialogue with politicians thereafter.

In response to the report, Susanne Baker, EEF’s Senior Climate & Environment Policy Advisor, will present ‘The role of manufacturing in the circular economy’, before Ray Georgeson invites questions from delegates.

Two further sessions throughout the day will cover topics including:

• The role of fiscal instruments in moving towards a more circular economy
• Why resource shocks are an issue for the UK economy
• Industry case studies from the Alloa Community Enterprise and Closed Loop Recycling.

In the conference’s fourth and final session, Dan Rogerson MP, Defra’s Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Resource Management, will deliver a closing keynote speech, before answering questions from the audience.

Commenting on the reasons to attend the conference, Ray Georgeson, Resource Association Chief Executive, said: “Now that the notion of the circular economy is taking hold, there is real potential for resources once seen as problematic wastes, to fuel significant economic, environmental and social progress.

“As a result, the importance of recycling, reprocessing, reusing, repairing and remanufacturing, has attracted the attention of UK policy makers. With the launch of an important new industry paper, and a programme of seminars designed to stimulate continued professional debate, this event provides an unparalleled opportunity to shape future policy potential.

“A pre-conference Summer Reception will also be held at the National Liberal Club on 8 July, to provide an opportunity for delegates to network prior to the event. We hope to see a cross-section of industry professionals and local authority representatives on the day.”

To pre-register to attend the Resource Association Conference and to see a full list of speakers, please visit http://www.regonline.com/ResourceConference2014. Tickets cost £195.

For further information, or if you have any queries about the event, please contact Daniella Jarvie-Thomas at Environment Media Group by emailing Daniella.t@letsrecycle.com or calling 020 7633 4524.