The Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) has announced today (28 November) that its new Chair will be Carole Taylor, who currently sits on the executive team as one of two Vice Chairs.
Elected to the executive team in 2002 as its North West representative, Taylor has also held the position of LARAC Treasurer alongside her role as Waste and Recycling Coordinator for Pendle Borough Council.
Taylor will be LARAC’s tenth Chair since its formation in 1985, and takes over in January 2018 from Andrew Bird, who has reached the end of his maximum four-year term at the helm of the organisation. Bird will remain a member of the wider team, however, as he is only halfway through a two-year term as a nationally elected representative.
Commenting on the transition, Bird said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as Chair of LARAC and feel as an organisation we have grown over the past four years, building on the work of previous Chairs before me. It has been a tough few years for our members and that shows no sign of easing in the short term.
“Carole knows the industry and LARAC extremely well and I am pleased she is taking on the role of Chair; I know LARAC will continue to grow under her leadership.”
One of Taylor’s first tasks in her position as Chair will be to oversee the development of a new four-year business plan for the committee, as the current plan is set to finish at the end of 2018. The new business plan will set out LARAC’s intentions for the period of 2019 to 2023.
LARAC is also representing local authorities in the ongoing discussions with Defra around a deposit return scheme (DRS) for plastic bottles.
Speaking about her appointment, Taylor said: “It is a privilege to become the next LARAC Chair after serving on the Executive for a number of years. I am looking forward to working with the wider industry at this critical time and representing our local authority members.
“With so much change and uncertainty it is crucial that LARAC works hard on behalf of its members and I intend to give them the best representation possible.”
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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.