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Top green campaigners to ‘heat’ up major recycling conferenceJanuary 28, 2008 Some of Scotland’s leading green campaigners, who are due to take part in a major conference in March, have been listed in a ‘Who’s Who’ of environmental activists published this month. Resource Magazine’s ‘Hot 100’ lists the hardest working and most accomplished environmental campaigners in the UK, and amongst those listed are a number of people who will contribute to the ‘More Than Recycling 08’ conference which will be held on March 11, at Perth Concert Hall. Keynote speaker Peter Jones OBE, who is ranked No.4 on the Top 100 list, is seen as one of the most influential figures within the waste and recycling industry. Peter has been a key figurehead in leading the UK Government's and waste industry's strategy to meet the challenges of the Landfill Directive, and has driven Biffa plc - one of the UK's largest integrated waste management businesses – to great success. Matthew Thomson, London Community Recycling Network, No.3 on the Top 100, is speaking about raising the game for community recycling and why the sector must grow to survive. At number 24 on the list is Iain Gulland, Network Director of the Community Recycling Network for Scotland (CRNS). CRNS, which works with local projects to develop a stronger community recycling sector, is hosting the ‘More Than Recycling’ conference on March 11. Iain has been at the forefront of Scotland’s waste recycling plan for more than eight years and his vision is to steer Scotland towards a zero waste society. ‘More Than Recycling 08’ is poised to be the biggest ever gathering of people committed to realising the potential of the community recycling sector in Scotland. Boasting a strong line-up of speakers from a variety of backgrounds, the conference will provide a platform to explore the social, economic and environmental benefits which can be achieved through effective and innovative community recycling activities and partnerships. Community recycling includes a range of ventures such as furniture and white goods reuse and refurbishment, community and home composting, kerbside collections, wood recycling and the promotion the use of ‘real’ nappies. The winners of the CRNS Annual Awards will also be announced, with prizes presented to the winners at the conference. A shortlist of finalists will be issued later this week. Other names and organisations which feature on the ‘Hot 100’ list - and are due to appear at the conference - include the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs Richard Lochhead (No.75), Aylesford Newsprint (No.19), Yellow Pages Directory Recycling (No.34) and the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA at No.81.) CRNS’s Iain Gulland commented: “We’re extremely excited about the line-up for this year’s conference, which promises to bring together some of the UK’s most influential figures from the waste and recycling sectors. I’m delighted to be recognised, on behalf of CRNS, in Resource Magazine’s list of influential figures and I’m also pleased to see so many people connected with the conference appearing on the list as well. “Scottish community recyclers across the board feature prominently in Hot 100 list, demonstrating the valuable contribution this sector makes towards the aim of making Scotland a zero waste country. “Community recycling projects help to divert more than 73,000 tonnes of material from landfill every year, but these environmental benefits are just part of the story. The sector also helps to create real social, environmental and economic benefit within our local communities. “The sector employs the equivalent of more than 1,100 full-time staff, offers around 1,000 training opportunities and provides more than 3,200 volunteering opportunities. It also has an annual turnover of £26million. “CRNS aims to guide its members towards the goal of a ‘Zero Waste Scotland’, as we believe that the eradication of waste from our society will assist in the further development of the Scottish economy and enrich the lives of every single one of us.” To book a place at ‘More Than Recycling 08’ on March 11 at Perth Concert Hall visit www.crns.org.uk/index/mtr08 or call 01786 469002. Book before January 31 and you can save 10% on the cost of your ticket or take advantage of the three tickets for the price of two offer. Press Contacts
Mike McPartlin
Nicola McGovern
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