Environment Minister honoured for approach to waste

Environment Minister Jane Davidson has been honoured for her services to waste management and concern for the environment.

The Minister has been made an ‘Honorary Fellow’ of the Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM). The award is given to individuals who in the opinion of the CIWM Council have rendered notable service to waste management or who are persons of distinction with a concern for the environment.

The CIWM is the leading professional body for waste and resource management and has more than 7,000 members. It focuses on professionalism and information, based on sound science and training.

Receiving the award, Ms Davidson said:

“This award is a great recognition for all the hard work the Welsh Assembly Government is doing to change the way we handle waste here in Wales. What we do with our waste reflects how we treat our country. The old ways of burying waste in the land to rot have had their day. The question I keep coming back to is will we be able to look our grandchildren in the eye and say we did all we could to protect where they live?

“That is why the Assembly Government has proposed a 70 per cent target for recycling and composting all waste by 2025. More recycling and less waste will make Wales greener and sustainable. However, it is not only our environment that will benefit, but also our economy. There are tremendous opportunities to save money and create high quality industry in Wales by using the valuable material resources contained in waste.”