Commercial Waste: Challenge and Opportunity

9 December 2009
House of Commons

Speakers:

Roy Hathaway – Deputy Director, Waste Regulation, Defra
Peter Scholes  – Managing Director, Urban Mines
David Savory – Technical Director, Biffa
Sean Sweeney – Centre Manager, Gunwharf Quays (Land Securities)

Chair:

Angela Watkinson MP

Domestic waste is the more pressing issue on the public consciousness, yet it only accounts for around 9% of overall UK waste and while household waste is diminishing, commercial waste is a growth area. However, in the midst of a recession, effective sustainable management of commercial waste as a resource could bring significant economic benefits to business as well as contributing to wider environmental sustainability.

Following the publication of Defra’s Statement of aims and actions 2009 for commercial and industrial waste, this event critically debated the Government's approach to this issue nad highlgihted innovative examples of best-practise acitivity in this crucial area for sustainable resource management.