The Futuresource 2010 conference and trade fair is a must for anyone involved in sustainable waste management, recycling and resource efficiency, says Steve Lee, chief executive of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM)

The waste and resource industry, like many others, is facing some tough challenges. Targets and performance expectations are going up, budgets are shrinking, and access to finance for new infrastructure is harder to come by. That is why Futuresource 2010 returns this year with a strong focus on efficiency, value for money and partnerships.

With some 350 exhibitors, a full conference programme and an expected 9,000 attendees from across the UK and Europe, Futuresource is designed to provide the right platform for public, private and third sector professionals to come together and debate the future of resource management, its capacity to drive sustainable economic growth and its potential to help mitigate climate change - issues that will influence policy and service delivery for years to come.

 

One of the main objectives of the event, organised jointly by CIWM and the Environmental Services Association (ESA), is to stimulate dialogue and partnerships that will help the sector to tackle some of the challenges that lie ahead. The three-day Futuresource conference will have ‘More from Less’ as its core theme, with a range of expert speakers looking at key issues facing the industry; infrastructure funding and delivery, efficiency in service provision, and smarter decision making on technology choice. On the exhibition floor, meanwhile, visitors will find the latest practical solutions, services and products designed to enhance productivity and keep costs down while still protecting the environment.

Policy drivers and partnership working

At the top of the agenda in the opening Conference session will be the political landscape and future environmental policy. We have key speakers from Europe sharing the stage with UK government ministers to provide the big picture on the role of the sustainable waste and resource management sector in tackling climate change and what direction European and UK environmental policy will take in the future.

Hilary Benn, Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and his Conservative and Liberal Democrat counterparts Nick Herbert and Tim Farron have all confirmed their attendance in principle and Peter Kurth, Vice-President of FEAD (European Federation of Waste Management and Environmental Services) and President & CEO of BDE (Federation of German Waste, Water and Raw Materials Management Industry) will be among the speakers offering a European perspective.

The critical role of local authorities is acknowledged on day two with sessions that explore how partnerships can help to deliver more efficient environmental services across the UK. including series of case studies that will give delegates practical insight into some of the UK’s most innovative partnership approaches. Day three of the conference will see wider resource efficiency on the agenda, as well as the challenges of choosing, funding and delivering the right treatment infrastructure.

Supplying the solutions

In the Futuresource trade fair, meanwhile, over 350 exhibitors will showcase the latest practical solutions, services and products designed to enhance productivity and keep costs down while still protecting the environment.

Already 81% sold, the exhibition offers visitors the opportunity to meet an array of technology and service suppliers in six themed zones: recycling and composting; waste and waste water management; air, energy and climate change; street scene and facilities management; professional services; and vehicles and plant. Highlighting the growing links between the waste, water and energy sectors, this year the event is supported by major organisations including the Energy Institute and the Chartered Institute of Water & Environmental Management (CIWEM).

We will be welcoming many of the industry’s leading names, from the UK’s largest waste contractors – including Waste Recycling Group, Veolia Environmental Services, SITA UK, Cory Environmental Ltd, and Viridor Waste Ltd – and plant and vehicle suppliers such as JCB, Finning/CAT and Volvo, to specialist pollution control and energy management technology providers. In addition, Government departments and agencies, including the Environment Agency, Defra, the Welsh Assembly and WRAP will have a presence.

With infrastructure development being acknowledged as one of the biggest challenges facing the sector, the 2010 exhibitor line-up also underlines the growing interest in the sector from civil engineering and utility companies and the finance sector. Balfour Beatty, Costain Ltd, May Gurney Ltd, United Utilities, Vinci Environment UK, Volker Fitzpatrick, Raymond Brown Group, and BAM Nuttall Ltd have already signed up, as well as financial institutions including Bank of Ireland and Clydesdale Bank plc.

There are also over 50 free seminar sessions on highly topical issues; from food waste to finance options, and from exports to energy from waste. Taking place in two Information Theatres located on the exhibition floor, the programme includes speakers from the Environment Agency, WRAP, Valpak, Bank of Ireland, and London Thames Gateway.

Sauce Consultancy and Futuresource are also teaming up again to host the Communications Hub, where visitors can hear an exciting array of speakers debate some of the communications challenges that face our industry, including FT Environment Correspondent Fiona Harvey, Ben Page, CEO of leading UK market research company Ipsos Mori, Michael Warhurst of Friends of the Earth, and Rhion Jones, Programme Director at the Consultation Institute. The Hub is also designed to help industry professionals to feel more confident about engaging with the media, and former BBC news reporter Steve Bustin will be giving tips on ‘Making the most out of media’ every morning and providing free media training sessions.

Other exciting new developments for the 2010 event will include improved networking facilities for both delegates and trade fair visitors, and a low carbon demonstration arena in the Vehicles & Plant Zone where the latest electric and hybrid drive vehicles and equipment can be seen in action.

Full details of the event and online booking for the conference can be found at www.futuresourceuk.com.