http://www.mrw.co.uk http://www.mrw.co.uk http://www.mrw.co.uk/magazine/graphics/logo.png http://www.mrw.co.uk http://www.mrw.co.uk/do-we-worry-about-pulling-up-the-drawbridge/8647966.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/do-we-worry-about-pulling-up-the-drawbridge/8647966.article How might a shift in Government policy away from the EU affect the waste sector? robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 17 May 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/never-too-young-to-start-learning/8647696.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/never-too-young-to-start-learning/8647696.article The various issues challenging the coalition Government include the green agenda: Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg recently told the Guardian that he spent more time arguing with his Conservative partners over that topic than anything else. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 10 May 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/nras-reflect-evolving-waste-sector/8647378.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/nras-reflect-evolving-waste-sector/8647378.article It seems barely credible that there are only two months to go to the National Recycling Awards 2013. Whatever else is going on in the UK economy, it is clear from the increased number of entries for this year’s event that the waste and resource sector is in relatively rude health. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 3 May 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/opinion/leader/is-the-glass-market-half-empty/8647028.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/opinion/leader/is-the-glass-market-half-empty/8647028.article A last-minute acceleration at the turn of the year may have ensured the glass sector got over the compliance finishing line, but is there now enough gas in the tank for 2013? robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 26 Apr 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/we-need-fleet-st-support-not-attack/8645368.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/we-need-fleet-st-support-not-attack/8645368.article There’s been déjà vu a-plenty for readers of the Daily Mail and those of us in the recycling world who had Saturday’s front page drawn to our attention robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 12 Apr 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/no-need-for-this-deferred-incentive/8644895.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/no-need-for-this-deferred-incentive/8644895.article It would be easy to come down hard on the Government now it has further delayed the introduction of the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) for householders. Delay in framing policy does not help confidence (where have we heard that before?). robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 29 Mar 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/no-time-for-complacency-on-safety/8644479.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/no-time-for-complacency-on-safety/8644479.article On Tuesday, a new Royal Charter was proudly shown off by the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS), marking 60 years as the body helping employers and employees to understand how the workplace can bring exposure to serious ill-health robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 22 Mar 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/news/a-pavilion-too-far-for-uk-waste-plc/8644033.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/news/a-pavilion-too-far-for-uk-waste-plc/8644033.article Less than a month ago, prime minister David Cameron led a high-powered delegation to India. His press people said it was the biggest entourage of British business people ever taken on an overseas trip by a British PM. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 15 Mar 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/collection-judgement-demands-quality/8643856.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/collection-judgement-demands-quality/8643856.article Those who support the Defra interpretation on collection methods must recognise there is an absolute responsibility to deliver secondary materials of the highest quality robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 8 Mar 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/uk-needs-to-strengthen-ad-sector/8643487.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/uk-needs-to-strengthen-ad-sector/8643487.article The UK now has more than 100 anaerobic digestion (AD) plants, excluding waste water facilities. This may indicate an annual growth of 30% or so (see page 9), but the country has to make a seismic leap to match Germany’s 7,000. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 1 Mar 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/plastics-focus-on-skills-and-quality/8643084.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/plastics-focus-on-skills-and-quality/8643084.article Last week, I reflected on the textiles sector celebrating its 100th anniversary; on Wednesday it was the turn of the plastics sector to mark an important milestone in its history and look ahead: an 80th birthday. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 22 Feb 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/challenging-times-for-textiles/8642725.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/challenging-times-for-textiles/8642725.article At a time when MRW has been marking its own 100th year, it was fascinating to share in the centenary celebrations of the Textile Recycling Association. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 15 Feb 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/church-preaches-to-the-unconverted/8642353.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/church-preaches-to-the-unconverted/8642353.article It is certainly not a truth universally acknowledged - to paraphrase Jane Austen - that the waste and resource management industry is one of the few areas of growth in the struggling British economy. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 8 Feb 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/the-mrf-is-here-at-last/8641993.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/the-mrf-is-here-at-last/8641993.article It will be fascinating in the coming months to see how far the major players are able to influence the final version of MRF codes in Scotland and England. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 1 Feb 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/the-dangers-of-continental-drift/8641629.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/the-dangers-of-continental-drift/8641629.article The eternal argument against referendums is that they allow little room for the nuances of a more sophisticated policy forum – such as Parliament. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 25 Jan 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/food-waste-is-on-the-politicians-menu/8641298.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/food-waste-is-on-the-politicians-menu/8641298.article The waste sector experienced something of a political first this month: an early indication from Labour of a policy direction if it won the next general election. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 18 Jan 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/the-news-that-matters/8640960.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/the-news-that-matters/8640960.article New Year really has been a change here in MRW Towers with the team returning to new offices in a different part of the capital. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 11 Jan 2013 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/opinion/leader/joined-up-long-term-thinking-please/8640234.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/opinion/leader/joined-up-long-term-thinking-please/8640234.article How can the chancellor, representing the Treasury, unveil a strategy for gas without a single reference to biomethane, actively promoted by other departments robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 14 Dec 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/opinion/leader/environment-needed-for-investment/8639713.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/opinion/leader/environment-needed-for-investment/8639713.article It would have been difficult to miss the political spotlight shining this week on the chancellor and his efforts to shake the UK economy from its stubborn slumber. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 7 Dec 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/opinion/leader/surveys-told-the-real-collections-story/8639372.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/opinion/leader/surveys-told-the-real-collections-story/8639372.article Eric Pickles is certainly a man who knows his own mind - and rarely lets the facts get in the way of a good old piece of political spin.  robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 30 Nov 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/december-deadline-looms-large/8638932.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/december-deadline-looms-large/8638932.article Many thanks to those of you who took part this month in our survey ahead of the scrap cash ban. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 23 Nov 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/further-evidence-of-chinese-power/8638681.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/further-evidence-of-chinese-power/8638681.article When MRW was first published 100 years ago, few developments in the Far East would have registered on the UK’s waste sector. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 16 Nov 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/recycling-is-already-ahead-of-policy/8638283.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/leader/recycling-is-already-ahead-of-policy/8638283.article The strong words on this week’s cover from Marks & Spencer’s head of sustainable business stand out as the most significant in our sector during the past seven days. As we report on page five, Mike Berry is adamant that the circular economy is coming, whether we like it or not. We all gain when such marketplace drivers as M&S embrace and promote such key policies. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 9 Nov 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/opinion/leader/regulation-is-a-question-of-balance/8637979.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/opinion/leader/regulation-is-a-question-of-balance/8637979.article Our regulated sector has a pretty good record when it comes to pollution. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 2 Nov 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/innovation-in-the-circular-economy/8637688.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/innovation-in-the-circular-economy/8637688.article Two developments reflected in MRW’s news coverage this week show small but important steps on the path to a circular economy. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/the-five-nations-waste-championship/8637342.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/the-five-nations-waste-championship/8637342.article It is the democratic right of countries to adopt different policy positions but CIWM is right to expect the use of common metrics to assess those differences. robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 19 Oct 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/growth-depends-on-market-confidence/8637053.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/growth-depends-on-market-confidence/8637053.article Growth is the government’s primary focus and the reshuffle emphasised that this applies to waste: the waste minister position has been replaced by the new role of resource management minister Fri, 12 Oct 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/industry-evidence-provides-the-key/8636698.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/industry-evidence-provides-the-key/8636698.article This week’s news puts policy-led market intervention in the spotlight. Fri, 5 Oct 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/opinion/eric-we-were-right-first-time/8636311.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/opinion/eric-we-were-right-first-time/8636311.article MRW’s research confirms that Eric Pickles’ bin fund has not prompted councils to ‘return to weekly collections’ as he intended, says MRW’s associate editor Robin Latchem robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 28 Sep 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/metals/weee/mind-the-gap/8635936.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/metals/weee/mind-the-gap/8635936.article One of the strongest messages to emerge from sessions at the RWM show was that in conversations with government the industry needs to talk not about waste or the environment but about growth. Fri, 21 Sep 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/recycling/join-our-support-for-national-zero-waste-week/8634735.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/recycling/join-our-support-for-national-zero-waste-week/8634735.article National Zero Waste Week, beginning on 3 September, asks everyone to pledge to do ‘one more thing’ to reduce landfill Fri, 24 Aug 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/summer-heats-up-for-efw/8634219.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/summer-heats-up-for-efw/8634219.article While parliament sleeps, business works – in energy from waste (EfW) at least. Fri, 10 Aug 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/ad-caught-between-roc-and-pickles/8633658.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/ad-caught-between-roc-and-pickles/8633658.article The updates to renewable energy subsidies in England are generally good news for most. Fri, 27 Jul 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/metals/weee/industry-needs-to-keep-up-pressure/8633232.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/metals/weee/industry-needs-to-keep-up-pressure/8633232.article As parliament prepared to rise for the summer, there was the usual flurry of activity. Foremost was a significant step forward for the Scrap Metal Dealers Bill, which last week got cross-party support at its second reading and is looks likely to become law by autumn 2013.Work will continue apace on metal theft over the summer break.Moves to outlaw cash payments by scrap metal dealers seem unstoppable, particularly in the context of experiences across the channel, where Paris has Fri, 20 Jul 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/a-stitch-in-timesaves-tonnes/8632946.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/a-stitch-in-timesaves-tonnes/8632946.article If consumers looking to ‘donate’ clothing get the wrong message through the media, it could even increase the landfill tonnage robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 13 Jul 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/pickles-cash-fails-to-curry-favour/8632612.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/pickles-cash-fails-to-curry-favour/8632612.article Less that 1% of applicants to the weekly collection support scheme will use cash to shift away from alternative weekly collections Fri, 6 Jul 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/keep-pressure-up-on-scrap-reform/8631980.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/keep-pressure-up-on-scrap-reform/8631980.article Plans to overhaul the Scrap Metal Dealers Act (1964) are gathering pace with MP Richard Ottaway (Con) unveiling his government-backed private members’ bill. Fri, 22 Jun 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/waste/back-to-the-future-of-recycling/8631611.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/waste/back-to-the-future-of-recycling/8631611.article Our new name Materials Recycling World echoes our beginnings back in 1912 as Waste Trade World Fri, 15 Jun 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/mrw-reporting-beats-the-rest/8631118.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/mrw-reporting-beats-the-rest/8631118.article In this and other debates, MRW is proud to be a voice for the sector Fri, 1 Jun 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/metals/weee/tackling-crime-together/8630768.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/metals/weee/tackling-crime-together/8630768.article Councils and the British Metals Recycling Association have come to blows this week over dealing with metal theft.The BMRA has called for a national licensing scheme to replace the current situation where councils are responsible for local registration – and claimed that council records are up to 80% incorrect.Labour councillor Clyde Loakes, vice-chair of the Local Government Association’s environment committee, blamed the industry for an increase in theft and said that councils Fri, 25 May 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/lwarb-failes-to-show-us-the-money/8634803.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/lwarb-failes-to-show-us-the-money/8634803.article The Green Investment Bank will have a strong focus on ensuring that loans can be repaid Fri, 18 May 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/quality-debate-needs-mature-heads/8630122.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/quality-debate-needs-mature-heads/8630122.article While consensus is unlikely, squbbling must be resisted Fri, 11 May 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/100-years/the-industry-has-come-of-age/8629906.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/home/100-years/the-industry-has-come-of-age/8629906.article Today recycling is a mature, hi-tech industry supporting jobs and economic growth as well as environmental sustainability Fri, 4 May 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/renewables-lead-into-next-century/8629559.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/renewables-lead-into-next-century/8629559.article Energy from waste could supply 15% of renewable electricity from 2020 robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 27 Apr 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/where-is-the-banks-ppp-lending/8629251.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/where-is-the-banks-ppp-lending/8629251.article The aspirations of entrepreneurs could be frustrated robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 20 Apr 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/collection-wording-must-be-clear/8628772.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/collection-wording-must-be-clear/8628772.article Concerns about possible legal threats over commingled collection are growing as the waste regulations consultation draws to a close Thu, 5 Apr 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/sector-deserves-direction-now/8628487.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/sector-deserves-direction-now/8628487.article For more than 18 months, one of the most dynamic sectors faces uncertainty robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 30 Mar 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/budget-misfires-on-waste-demands/8628104.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/budget-misfires-on-waste-demands/8628104.article Industry pockets could be hard hit by Whitehall looking at PPP deals robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 23 Mar 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/make-policy-and-back-it/8627826.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/make-policy-and-back-it/8627826.article Decision-makers must do more to help authorities persuade residents about energy-from-waste robin.latchem@emap.com (Robin Latchem) Fri, 16 Mar 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/waste-tax-breaks-will-help-uk-plc/8627178.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/waste-tax-breaks-will-help-uk-plc/8627178.article This week we learned that Business Secretary Vince Cable has warned David Cameron and Nick Clegg that more must be done to support key technologies. His leaked letter set out his belief that technological leadership must drive economic activity in the future and his fear that “market forces are insufficient for creating the long term industrial capacities we need”. Fri, 9 Mar 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/real-cost-of-waste-collection-fund/8634806.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/real-cost-of-waste-collection-fund/8634806.article A significant chunk of the Weekly Collection Support Scheme fund could be spent on legal costs and administration Fri, 2 Mar 2012 00:00 GMT http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/legitimate-dealers-left-humiliated-in-war-on-metal-theft/8626156.article?referrer=RSS http://www.mrw.co.uk/opinion/legitimate-dealers-left-humiliated-in-war-on-metal-theft/8626156.article MRW has discovered that heavy-handed police are treating legitimate scrap metal traders like criminals, amid fears that arrests are needed to meet targets and yield to political pressure over metal theft. Fri, 24 Feb 2012 00:00 GMT