The body, which represents waste management professionals in the UK, announced today (1 August) that Church would start in the role in mid-October, allowing for a handover period before Lee leaves at the end of the month.Church was Director of Environmental Quality at Defra until earlier this year when he stepped down after 21 years as a civil servant. In that position Church was responsible for policy on issues including climate change adaptation, air quality, industrial pollution prevention, local environment quality, resource efficiency and waste and sustainable procurement. Church managed the government’s support for waste infrastructure development and was also a non-executive director of the Waste & Resource Action Programme (WRAP). Church has been a common name of Resource’s Hot 100 list of influencers in the waste and resources sector, polling at number in the 2015 edition this January. During his time in civil service he also worked as Director of Climate Change, Exotic Diseases & Agency Relations as well as holding positions in the Department of Energy & Climate Change and the Better Regulation Executive. Commenting on his appointment, Church said: “I am delighted to be taking on the role of CIWM Chief Executive, and I look forward to building on Steve Lee’s success in positioning the Institution as an informed and influential professional body. “CIWM Members, and the waste and resource management sector as a whole, need strong professional standards to help ensure the sector delivers in both its key roles; protection of human health and the environment and the sustainable economic development so important to us all. CIWM will also continue to provide a respected source of thinking and advice for all our UK governments based on the expertise of its members.”
Experience with complex agendas
Lee announced in January that he would be stepping down as CIWM CEO after 13 years. He said of Church’s appointment: There was a very strong field of candidates for the role and I would like to warmly congratulate Dr Church; it is very clear that his experience across a wide range of complex environmental and regulatory agendas will benefit CIWM enormously.” Jim Baird, CIWM President for 2015/16 added: “CIWM’s role in helping to shape and inform future UK environmental policy has never been so important and Dr Church’s extensive experience will ensure that the institution is in the strongest possible position to fulfil this role.” Steve Lee is the subject of Resource 85’s feature interview next month.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.