Programme

Start your day by browsing the exhibition area and networking with fellow attendees over a cup of tea or coffee.

The Scottish Resources Conference 2023 will officially begin with a warm welcome from Laura Tainsh, Chair of CIWM’s Scotland Centre Council. 

A short address from Lorna Slater MSP, Minister for Green Skills, Circular Economy and Biodiversity for The Scottish Government. 

An opportunity to put forward feedback and questions for the Minister.

• Reviewing the current landscape of circular practices within Scotland.
• Current limitations from a policy and regulation perspective.
• Discussing the impending changes from the Route Map and the Circular Economy Bill.
• The consumer perspective; is there enough awareness around circular initiatives? What more can be done to help this? 

Moderator: Laura Tainsh, Partner and Head of Environment/ Chair, Davidson Chalmers Stewart/ CIWM Scotland Centre Council 

Laura Young, Award winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer 

Paul Vanston, Chief Executive, INCPEN 

Mike Robinson, Chief Executive/ Chair, RSGS/ Perth City leadership Forum

Jenny Grant, Head of Organics and Natural Capital, The Association for Renewable Energy and Clean Technology (REA)

Louise McGregor, Head of Propositions, Zero Waste Scotland 

• Is the government’s plan on track to reduce waste and increase recycling by 2025?
• Reviewing the progress to date and the policies in place/ planned and what these mean for the sector.
• How can we raise awareness and education around how to recycle and reuse BMW?
• Discussing the opportunities for innovation to aid next steps.

Moderator: Laura Young, Award winning climate activist, environmental scientist, and ethical influencer  

Janet McVea, Head of Zero Waste Unit, Circular Economy Division, The Scottish Government 

Angus Hamilton, Managing Director, Levenseat

Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee as you reflect on the morning’s discussions while exploring what our exhibitors have to offer and networking with fell attendees. 

Customise your Scottish Resources Conference experience and continue the discussion in one of our topical breakout sessions:

Breakout Session: Net Zero and EfW Resolving an Apparent Paradox

As we look to positively transition wastes impact on the climate and the wider goals of net zero targets, this session will delve into:

• The responsibilities of the sector and discussing the emissions trading coming in for 2028 – what this means and what we need to plan for.
• How we can’t stop society from producing waste so why we need energy from waste moving away from landfill.
• Why incineration is needed and the role of capturing carbon to mitigate carbon production from this process.
• Dealing with plastics with respect; distinguishing the good from the bad, with the good being moved into recycling systems and examples of new products as a result. 

Iain McDonald, Regional Development Manager (Scotland), FCC

John Ferguson, Director/ Head of Strategy, EcoideaM Ltd/ Binn Eco Park/ RMAS

Breakout Session: Targeting Waste Crime – what’s your role? 

Join this session to learn how SEPA, local authorities and other law enforcement partners are working together to target waste crime impacting Scotland’s environment and the key role Industry can play in this challenge. 

Host: Dan Cooke, Head of Protected & Historic Landscapes, Cornwall Council/ CIWM President 

Jennifer Shearer, Head of Enforcement, SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) 

Phil Davies, Head of the Multi-Agency Joint Unit for Waste Crime, Environment Agency

Ryan McColgan, Head of Scottish Landfill Tax, Revenue Scotland

Mark Findlay, Pollution Control and Public Health Manager, North Lanarkshire Council 

Refuel with a delicious lunch as you reflect on the topics of the day with your fellow attendees. This is the perfect time to catch up with connections old and new and browse our exhibition area. 

Choose your second breakout session for this years Scottish Resources Conference:

Breakout Session: Future Skills in Scotland, the Challenges and Opportunities

As the waste and resources sector continues to grow, this session will delve into the gaps we are seeing within the sector in Scotland, the challenges this creates, and the opportunities available through a collaborative approach to training and new roles across the sector. We will discuss:

• A look at adding context as to where we currently are and what skills Scotland needs specifically. 
• How do employers and potential employees see the new opportunities becoming available? 
• The work of SWITCH and collaborating with the University West of Scotland. 
• Reviewing the apprenticeships Scotland needs and discussing the current options, are they fit for purpose? 
• What CIWM can do to help support Scottish employers with the skills they need. 

Duncan Simpson, Owner & Director, Duncan Simpson Associates/ CIWM Trustee 

Alasdair Meldrum, Director, Albion Environmental 

Breakout Session: Co-Design as a Tool for Change

A co-design approach to achieving Net Zero ambitions is mentioned in the CE Bill and the Circular Economy Route Map. This session will describe what co-design is, how it can be used, and the value it has for implementing positive, sustained change. Current research being undertaken by Zero Waste Scotland in this space will be highlighted, and the process for stakeholders to get involved in this research will be discussed. 

Dr Jane Beasley, Head of Business Engagement, Zero Waste Scotland

Dr Isla Kapasi, Research & Analysis Manager, Zero Waste Scotland

Dr Matt Holl, Assistant Analyst, Zero Waste Scotland

Take a quick pause before the final sessions of the day. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy some networking and browse our exhibition stands while you enjoy some light refreshments.

To help the waste sector better understand and prepare to respond to the challenges posed by the ever-increasing presence of Persistent organic Pollutants (POPs) in a variety of waste streams, we invite Scottish Government Chemicals specialist Dan Merckle and SEPA’s Waste & Landfill Tax Manager to look at the background to the POPs issue and the global treaty which underpins the legislative framework, emerging areas of research and what this could mean for the waste industry in Scotland going forward.

• What are POPs are why are they problematic?
• Background to POPs legislation – Stockholm & Basel Conventions, REACH
• Ongoing research
• Challenges for the waste industry & next steps

Gary Walker, Waste & Landfill Tax Manager, SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) 

Dan Merckel, Chemicals Team Lead, The Scottish Government

• Discussing the roll-out of EPR (extended producer responsibility) and it’s role in the transformation towards a circular economy.
• How are companies coping with these regulations and the extensive data management processes required for reporting?
• Is there enough support for industry to rethink and implement EPR into existing business structures?
• Is DRS another channel of opportunity for true reuse in practice?

Moderator: James Martin, Principal Consultant, WSP

Robbie Humphrey, Sustainability Coordinator, Whyte & Mackay 

Henry Smith, Policy Researcher, Valpak 

Cat Hay, Head of Policy and Public Affairs, FDF Scotland 

Charles Holmes, Head of EPR, The Scottish Government 

We’ll take a moment to reflect on the days presentations, discussions and debates whilst looking at what day 2 of the Scottish Resources Conference will delve into. 

Nicole Paterson, Chief Executive, Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) 

Join your colleagues and new connections in the Waste and Resource sector for a chance to unwind and de-brief on an enlightening day.

Start your second event day browsing the exhibition area and networking with fellow attendees over a cup of tea or coffee.

The Scottish Resources Conference 2023 will continue with a day 2 welcome from Laura Tainsh, Chair of CIWM’s Scotland Centre Council. 

To follow soon … 

Ruth Innes, Sustainability Manager, NHS Scotland Assure 

Wendy Rayner, Head of Circular Economy for NHS Scotland, The Scottish Government/ Fellow, Chartered Institute of Waste Management 

• How technologies like automation and visual detection are helping with the fight for more sustainable processes.
• Examples of areas within the waste landscape that are benefiting from these technologies eg smart bins and material recovery.
• What more needs to be done to optimise the rollout of these technologies?
• Preparing for the disruption; how to plan ahead for optimum onboarding and minimised disruption.

Moderator: Duncan Simpson, Owner & Director, Duncan Simpson Associates/ CIWM Trustee 

Dr. Stephen Wise, Chief Strategic Development Officer, Advetec 

Fleur Ruckley, Head of Implementation, Topolytics 

Matthew Steventon, Business Development Manager, Greyparrot 

John Ferguson, Director/ Head of Strategy, EcoideaM Ltd/ Binn Eco Park/ RMAS 

Local authorities showcasing innovations and best practice across Scotland: 

Veronica Formosa-Hamilton, Principal Waste Management Officer (Contracts), The Highland Council 

Sheila Best, Waste Services Manager, Perth & Kinross Council 

Enjoy a cup of tea or coffee as you reflect on the morning’s discussions while exploring what our exhibitors have to offer and networking with fell attendees. 

Customise day 2 of your Scottish Resources Conference experience and continue the discussion in one of our topical breakout sessions:

Breakout Session: Tracking Materials and their Value 

Discover the opportunities for reuse in challenging waste materials including mattress recycling, going over the deconstruction and recycling of the unit, the reuse with pet beds, coconut fibre, etc., and how this creates jobs and generates revenue for nonprofits. Additional exampled include polystyrene, appliances.

Terry McDonald, Executive Director, St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, Inc.

Breakout Session: National Litter & Flytipping Strategy – Future Years Action 

This session will provide a brief overview of the actions within the current action plan of the National Litter and Flytipping Strategy then provide an interactive, fun opportunity for participants to feed into future year actions through an engaging format. Come prepared to contribute ideas and enjoy a focused discussion on future prevention activity.

Emma Leask, Partner, Zero Waste Scotland 

Craig Fraser, Senior Policy Officer, SEPA Waste Crime Unit, SEPA (Scottish Environment Protection Agency) 

Paul Wallace, Campaigns and Social Innovation Manager, Keep Scotland Beautiful

Refuel with a delicious lunch as you reflect on the topics of the day with your fellow attendees. This is the perfect time to catch up with connections old and new and browse our exhibition area. 

• What is the zero waste cities model? Showcasing its viability as a concrete set of policies that are proven to deliver impact in communities.
• Where are the current 480 Zero Waste Cities in Europe and what is the impact they are having.
• What are the environmental, economic and social benefits that we see in local communities that have implemented a zero waste strategy.
• What are the key policies that Scottish Local Authorities should be focusing on to help them reduce and ultimately prevent waste from being generated, in the short and medium term.

Jack McQuibban, Head of Local Zero Waste Implementation, Zero Waste Europe 

• What is the current perception of the circular economy and sustainable initiatives in Scotland? 
• What practical steps can help encourage sustainable decision making for consumers and stakeholders? Delving into what this behaviour change would look like.
• Examples of collaborations to raise awareness and concepts of co-design and co-delivery. 

Moderator: Duncan Simpson, Owner & Director, Duncan Simpson Associates/ CIWM Trustee 

Kate Gallacher, Sustainability Officer, Scottish Leather Group

Dan Cooke, Head of Protected & Historic Landscapes, Cornwall Council/ CIWM President 

Michael Cook, CEO, Circular Communities Scotland 

• What are the next steps for the circular economy in Scotland by turning visions into actions?
• How do we tackle the need for a behaviour change?
• Promoting the power of reuse! The need to adapt current business models to promote this.
• The importance of developing partnerships across sectors to unlock circularity benefits. 

Moderator: Alan Hendry, Sustainability Director, Mott Macdonald

Kerryn Sievewright, Waste Specialist Technical Lead, Dounreay 

Terry McDonald, Executive Director, St. Vincent de Paul of Lane County, Inc.

We’ll round off day 2 by reviewing the thought leadership presentations and informative discussions shared over the conference with Dan Cooke, Head of Protected & Historic Landscapes, Cornwall Council/ CIWM President, and looking at what key actions can be taken to help propel the sector in the coming months.