CIWM and ESA announce new strategic alliance

The Environmental Services Association (ESA) and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) have announced that they will be working together more closely and creating a new independent entity called Resources & Waste UK.


The two trade bodies announced the formation of this new entity at an event in London yesterday (13 November).

According to the ESA and CIWM, Resources & Waste UK will provide a vehicle for the two bodies to deliver strong, consistent messages about the industry’s capabilities and needs to Government, regulators, the media and other key stakeholders in the UK.

Speaking at the event, CIWM former president David Beadle said that this news was “not a gag on either partner” and that “both organisations retain their autonomy and voice”.

Beadle, who has been heavily involved in drawing up the agreement, added: “We have agreed that our respective technical groups will work together so we can create a greater ‘gene pool’ of ideas and evidence.

“Drawing on this more robust body of evidence, we want and need to show that we have a strong industry opinion and voice.”

By communicating joint strategic messages that are common to the two organisations, he said that the new organisation will work to “secure the future success and growth of our industry and its contribution to the development of a more circular economy.”

Talking on behalf of the ESA, its chairman David Palmer-Jones said this move shows an industry maturing and rallying behind a common goal of creating “a more resource efficient and secure UK.”

He explained: “Our industry has long called out for a champion to stand up for our industry to cut across the political and legislative complexity that we grapple with.

He also said that “…we have decided to creator own champion, our own voice that can speak with the combined weight, knowledge and professionalism of the ESA and CIWM membership”.

Palmer-Jones said that the first job of the organisation will be to create “a clear vision of change in the form of a manifesto”. The partnership working agreement will also see ESA members across the UK being given the opportunity to be part of the CIWM’s regional centres.

Liz Gyekye

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