On Tuesday 7th November, Veolia welcomed over 160 guests to BMA House in London for a day of talks from industry-leading experts and an exhibition of innovative recycling and energy solutions they are delivering on the road to net zero.
Sustainable Futures was a customer event with a Local Authority focus and a first for Veolia who now work with over 40 municipal partners across the country.
With an inspiring keynote speech from BBC’s Liz Bonnin, Science, Natural History and Environmental Broadcaster, the guests were roused to take action, big or small, as when working together we can have a significant positive impact.
Supporting this call for action, Veolia’s experts shared their vision of the political, environmental and social landscapes ahead, particularly in the context of the recent Simpler Recycling announcement which means great changes in many areas across the recycling and waste landscape.
In the spirit of collaboration and representation across the industry, Veolia welcomed a panel of industry-leaders to share their views. Joined by Claire Shrewsbury, Director of Insights & Innovation at WRAP, Sam Horne, Chair of NAWDO, Peter Jones, Managing Consultant of Eunomia and Veolia’s own Development Director, Stuart Allen, they shared their insights on how a holistic and collaborative approach is needed today to make a sustainable future possible.
Guest industry experts Stuart Foster, CEO, RECOUP and Nick Thompson, Materials Development Director, DS Smith also provided insights into the future development of key materials and the impacts for resource management.
Over lunch, guests were invited on the Road to Net Zero. This was an exhibition showcasing all that Veolia is doing from point of collection, with inclusive solutions to recycling at home, through to the treatment of waste and the urgent need for carbon reduction throughout this whole journey, including innovative solutions such as carbon sequestration using algae.
Inviting guests on such a journey was an opportunity to showcase the latest solutions adding value for Local Authority and commercial customers. It was also a chance to hear from Veolia’s partners to ensure their services are fit for a sustainable future and to share a vision for what that future can look like.
Pascal Hauret, Managing Director, Municipal at Veolia said:
“Our Sustainable Futures event offered us the unique opportunity to share our vision of a sustainable future and all that we can offer to help our Local Authority and commercial partners to reduce their carbon footprint and drive ecological transformation.
“I would like to thank all of our partners who joined us on the Road to Net Zero and for all that you shared with us too. To achieve the net-zero goal is everyone's responsibility, and by working together we can make the key changes to protect our environment for the future.”
Jarno Stet, Waste and Recycling Manager, Westminster City Council:
“Today has proven extremely interesting and my biggest takeaway is that we need all stakeholders to work together. The waste and resources sector but also the producers, regulators and politicians. We’re all on this journey together and we need to find a common ground to create a sustainable future.”
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