Opportunity knocks and it’s not all hot air
At the G8 Summit of world leaders in Italy, there were calls to turn climate change into a global opportunity; to stimulate the necessary investments in the green economy, creating new jobs and driving economic growth.
The President of the European Commission, José Manuel Barroso, summed up this ambition when he said: "Those who understand this today will be the winners of tomorrow.
"The economic crisis can thus be a trigger for smart climate solutions that also save money and provide better energy security."
It's a belief echoed by Collingwood Search and Selection Ltd which specialises in recruiting the best people to work in the waste management industry, who have the knowledge and will to succeed in a target driven environment.
Headhunter Chris Barker, Collingwood's waste management specialist, predicts that new legislation and investment will bring opportunities for those in the industry who recruit and nurture talent now.
"We work with companies that buy and re-cycle or export paper, plastic and metal," he said.
"The green economy is in the spotlight like never before with bigger investments and tougher targets governing waste management, such as packaging, battery recycling and exported waste.
"Our clients know that the best way to capitalise on new opportunities and investment is to have the best sales, business development and project management teams in place. That's where we can help."
After launching a new business exporting recycled paper, plastic and metal, Men Shun Recycling Ltd tasked Collingwood with finding a purchasing manager with an in depth knowledge of the UK recycling market.
"With Collingwood's expertise and up to date market knowledge, they presented a high quality shortlist within agreed timescales," said Ellen He, of Men Shun Recycling Ltd.
"As a result of Collingwood's headhunt we recruited an individual enabling us to grow our business further."
Britain still lags behind other European countries in meeting many of it's waste management targets and the need for UK companies to compete is evident.
"We recruit throughout Europe, not just in the UK, and leave no stone unturned to find the right people who can make a difference," said Chris.
"If the talent exists then we'll find it, helping waste management companies compete in a truly global market."
If world leaders agree on anything it's that the post-crisis economy will be very different from its predecessor, meaning now is the time to act for the sake of the economy and the environment.
"We will not get the same chance twice," said the Swedish Prime Minister, Fredrik Reinfeldt, the current EU president. "That is why the measures to tackle the economic crisis and fight climate change must be done at the same time."
The latest facts:
- The plastics industry is worth £19bn to the UK and employs 186,000 people.
- The recently launched Plastics 2020 Challenge pledges commitments on the 'four R's' reduce, reuse, recycle and recover, including doubling the recycling rate of plastic packaging by the year 2020.
- Regulations for the collection, treatment and recycling of waste batteries came into force in May. Legislation requires the UK to collect 25% of waste portable batteries by 2012 and 45% by 2016.
- It's claimed that local authorities could save over £600 million a year if they reduced the amount of municipal waste sent to landfill in line with other European countries.
- The Environment Secretary recently revealed a number of measures aimed at cutting the amount of packaging that is produced, reducing the amount that is thrown away and increasing the amount that is recycled. Consumers are also being encouraged to report excessive packaging to Trading Standards.
