We are delighted that our Acting Chief Executive, Mr Tim Walker, has successfully become President of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM).CIWM is the leading professional body for waste and resource professionals, representing over 5,500 individuals. Its professional knowledge and standing allows the Institution to inform Government legislation and policy, shape the future of the sector and the role it will play in delivering the Circular Economy for the UK and beyond. Following his inauguration in Belfast on 20 June 2024, Mr Walker launched his Presidential Report entitled ‘Turning off the Tap: Why better design can increase resource resilience and reduce consumption’, explaining that: “Resource and waste managers see the results of overconsumption, disposable design and imperfect service models every day in the millions of tonnes of material they handle. Society has become accustomed to not seeing the consequences of these wasteful behaviours as our sector has become so good at managing the resulting wastes. However, it is critical to remember that the first action of the waste hierarchy is waste prevention.Processed items made from multiple materials are not good for the health of the planet, especially at the scale we see today. It’s time to seriously address the role of design and development in the creation of ‘stuff’ and recognise how the resources and waste sector, which is at the nucleus of circularity, can support better decision making to effectively reduce our use of these precious resources.As a sector we are gifted a wealth of materials every day. Our profession is serious about delivering circularity and to aid us we need better engagement across the whole supply chain. This will help to make better use of these materials so we can support others in reducing societies impact on nature and our planet.” Tim Walker is a keen environmentalist and passionate believer in highlighting our place in the natural world. A member of the DEFRA Advisory Committee on Packaging (UK), Tim also holds a number of professional and academic qualifications, sits on the Board of both CIWM and Keep Northern Ireland Beautiful and is a Visiting Research Fellow with Queen’s University Belfast looking at the Circular Economy. Tim is the 2nd President from arc21 who has reached this level, which we believe is also the first time 2 Presidents have come from the same organisation, and indeed joins only a handful of former Presidents from Northern Ireland, and we all wish him every success for the future.
