Kit Strange Memorial Lecture 2016

Ray Georgeson delivered the third annual Kit Strange Memorial Lecture at the Houses of Parliament at the start of the year, reflecting on the past, present and future of the industry. What follows is a condensed version of his speech.

Ray Georgeson | 16 May 2016

I make no apologies for being a little bit reflective and unashamedly personal in some of the things I’m going to say today, as well as looking ahead to pick up on four key issues. I spent a lot of my childhood in Zambia, and the one thing that sticks in my mind that undoubtedly influenced what I went on to do was arriving in Zambia with a brand new Hornby train set. I loved that train set, but what I loved more were the cars made out of old bits of wire by the kids who lived in the compound across the way, because we always want the thing that we can’t have and then get dissatisfied with the things we’ve already got. I reflect back on that and think that undoubtedly was an experience that shaped my attitude to stuff. From there, I’m moving on a little bit to Friends of the Earth in the early 1980s, who were the pioneers for recycling in the late ’70s and the early ’80s, when there was no municipal recycling apart from a few bottle banks. So, this is how it was done – not all by horse and cart, but also with some clever designed vehicles which have evolved over the years that separate materials at the kerbside and deliver quality recycling. What a good idea.

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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?

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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.