After 25 years, Margaret Bates has plenty of experience with waste. Resource talks to her about her newest role – as CIWM President – amongst a diverse range of topics
Margaret Bates, the new President (of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management) started in the field, she often found herself going to events as the only woman, and perhaps that is part of the reason she is so recognisable today. As her presidency indicates, things have changed dramatically in the intervening few years, as she herself remarks: “People used to accuse the industry of being old, grey-haired men – well it’s not now, there’s a lot of much younger people than me, very dynamic people who want to show how professional they are.”
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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.