Two weeks ago, I hosted my final LARAC conference as Chair! But rest assured I shall be there next year supporting from the wings…
I have spoken to so many people over the past few weeks and posted about the conference, but I just want to reach out once again and say a huge thank you to everyone that made it such an amazing success. We had a fantastic range of presenters, workshop facilitators, sponsors and exhibitors and as always there was so much information to share and networking to do. I have been approached by so many attendees feeding back to me to let me know how much they enjoyed it and how interesting and useful the topics were.
Behind the scenes, we plan the annual conference at the beginning of the year, and the content goes through many iterations to ensure that come October, it is as relevant and topical as we can make it to ensure that all attendees get the very most out of it.
On that note, any feedback is always gratefully received, as every year we try to take on board any comments to try and make it better and ensure that the experience is as worthwhile as it can be. We understand that two days out of your busy schedule is a big ask, but we hope the benefits make it worthwhile.
I will still be working very hard for the remainder of the year as your Chair, putting forward your views and lobbying on your behalf with Government and industry stakeholders, and from 2026, I will still have a place on the exec.
The conference also included the announcement of the new Chair, Gareth Rollings from West Sussex CC, who I know will be hard working and diligent, and I can't wait to see how he leads LARAC through the next four years.
Currently, I am engaging with PackUK on both the EPR declaration letters that were sent out to all English Local Authorities a few weeks ago, and I am also working hard with the Chairs of the other waste networks, including NAWDO, ADEPT, LGA and DCN with regards to a Freedom of Information Act request from Incpen, who are a producer organisation. The FOI is related to how Local Authorities are planning on spending their pEPR funds.
LARAC is keeping all members up to date on both of these issues and has been providing advice in this regard, however, please reach out to us if you still have any questions or concerns around this (or anything else waste and recycling related for that matter!).
The LARAC Team are always available to help.
