The opportunities and challenges in moving towards a circular economy will be the focal point of discussion and debate at the CIWM Conference Cymru early in 2013.

Building on a successful debut last year, the second CIWM conference for the Welsh waste and resource management sector will take place in Cardiff on 6th March 2013 and will open with a Keynote Address from John Griffiths AC/AM, Welsh Minister for Environment and Sustainable Development.


The theme for the event is Resource Efficiency = Sustainable Growth, and the programme will explore important aspects of resource efficiency, focusing on the delivery of quality secondary materials into the marketplace, stimulating demand for these through greener procurement practices, and a Question Time style debate about sustainable packaging.

The first session on material and quality will explore how to optimise the quality of recovered materials, as well as looking at the MRF Code of Practice which is expected shortly and regulatory frameworks such as quality protocols and end of waste criteria. Chaired by Dr Andy Rees, Head of WelshGovernment Waste Strategy, confirmed speakers for the session include Tom Campbell-White, Business Development Manager at DS Smith and Lee Foulkes, Technical Manager at Amgen Cymru.

Next on the agenda, greening the supply chain and engaging with the design community are two of the challenges being discussed in the procurement session, with leading experts including Dr Rob Elias of Bangor University and Phil Harfield from the Ecodesign Centre.

Rounding off the day and chaired by Environment Agency Wales director Viscount Chris Mills will be the debate entitled 'How do we package for the Circular Economy?'. Speakers including Nick Brown, Associate Director for Recycling GB for Coca-Cola Enterprises, Professor Ed Kosior, Managing Director of Nextek, and Ecodesign Centre Director Dr Frank O'Connor will be discussing how to design out packaging, what 'sustainable' really means in the context of packaging, and what innovations might be waiting round the corner.

Throughout the day there will also be the opportunity to view exhibition stands showcasing organisations from across the sector. For more information about the conference programme or to book a delegate place, visithttp://www.ciwmconferences.com/wales