Industry shocked at tragic death of waste pioneer Kit Strange

Kit Strange, director of the Resource Recovery Forum and a well-known figure within the waste industry, died suddenly and unexpectedly last week (12 August) while playing squash. He was aged 56.


His untimely death has come as a huge shock to his peers and colleagues. Sauce Consultancy’s managing director, John Twitchen, led the tributes to him, having first met him at the launch of the Resource Recovery Forum in 1997.

He said: “I have never known anyone more capable and well-meaning, so balanced and fair, trustworthy and trusting. He was a huge influence, and influencer, and yet this may well have been something he was unaware of, as he was also a humble and unassuming man.

“Kit has worked tirelessly to further the cause of the industry that he was such a huge part of, in the interests of improving its environmental performance and demonstrating its value to – and role in – society. Kit was a first rate communicator and he is a huge loss to us all.”

Tributes to Strange have also been paid on twitter. Barbara Leach, chair of CIWM’s Midlands Centre Council, tweeted: “Very sad and shocked to hear of the death of Kit Strange, one of the most knowledegable and understated people in the industry”.

Waste consultant Ray Georgeson, tweeted: “Sad and shocked to learn of untimely death of Kit Strange. He was widely respected in our industry, a thoughtful intelligent environmentalist.”

Strange founded the Resource Recovery Forum in 1997, an international not-for-profit network for organisations interested in sustainable waste management. He also published the international journal Warmer Bulletin, and was secretary general to the Association of Cities & Regions for Recycling & Sustainable Resource Management (ACR+).

Strange carried out most of his work through his own business, Residua, which he ran from his home in Skipton, North Yorkshire. He is survived by his three daughters, Kathie, Emily and Marianne.

Maxine Perella

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