Leading retailers including Asda and Marks & Spencer will share their strategies for reducing landfill costs and improving their green credentials at this year’s Recycling & Waste Management Exhibition (Birmingham NEC, 15 to 17 September 2009). To register for fast track entrance and to reserve your free seminar places visit www.rwmexhibition.com/epress4

Sustainable packaging, the hidden value of food waste and how resource efficiency can help to lower prices in a recession are some of the key topics under discussion in the free seminar sessions. The programme in the Business Seminar Theatre (sponsored by Lloyds TSB) on 17 September is devoted entirely to retailer concerns. Sessions include:

• Bob Gordon, head of environment at the British Retail Consortium who will explain the on-pack recycling label;
• Mandy Keepax, head of facilities management, Marks & Spencer who will give advice on selecting a waste partner;
• Jane Bickerstaffe, director, Industry Council for Packaging & the Environment (INCPEN) who suggest how packaging could be improved to help consumers live greener lifestyles;
• Dr Nina Sweet, organics technical specialist, Waste & Resources Action Programme who will explore the issues around food waste and its treatment.

A further seminar theatre has been introduced this year for the increasing number of RWM visitors who have responsibility for energy and water resources in addition to their waste and recycling role. Sessions relevant to retailers include Julian Walker-Palin, head of corporate policy for sustainability & ethics, Asda on 15 September who will share the supermarket’s resource efficiency strategy and Envirowise who will offer tips on water conservation and re-use. Powering the future through food and waste-to energy schemes will be tackled on 16 September and Simon Houghton-Dodd, head of quality and sustainability at Tate and Lyle Sugars Europe, is lined up to speak on the final day.

In addition to the free seminar sessions, RWM features over 500 exhibitors, a live recycling plant on the exhibition floor dealing with various waste streams, an outdoor area and a networking zone. Whether you are looking for bring banks for your car park, balers to handle the plastic from your warehouse or onsite composters for your food waste, RWM gives you the opportunity to see the latest products up close and in action.

Philip Simpson, commercial director of PDM Group who will be speaking about food waste in the Energy & Water Seminar Theatre, said: “Retailers have made significant headway against packaging waste in recent years and are now turning their attention to food waste. Whilst reduction is the primary objective, there is always going to be unavoidable wastage from fresh food counters, out of date stock, fridge failures or recalls; finding safe and sustainable disposal options is now a key focus. Food naturally lends itself towards energy production because its natural biodegradation provides the means to generate power. It’s a strong environmental solution and as more retailers look towards green procurement of energy, it’s a great way to demonstrate a complete sustainable loop.”

Whatever the size of your retail business, at RWM you will find solutions for better managing your resources and minimising waste in difficult market conditions - protecting those crucial profit margins. To register now for fast track entrance and updates on the seminar programmes visit www.rwmexhibition.com/epress4

Imagery:

The RWM09 logo in high resolution Jpeg format can be downloaded from www.ionaftp.com/emap/RWM09 or requested from Iona Communications below.

A selection of images from RWM 08 is available to download from http://www.ionaftp.com/emap/RWM08

Press information:

Doug Bentall or Anna Dunbar, Iona Communications Ltd, Tel: 01892 512481

E-mail: doug@ionacommunications.com or anna@ionacommunications.com

About Emap Connect: Emap Connect houses the UK’s biggest exhibitions portfolio plus the world’s most powerful advertising festival, Cannes Lions. Exhibition brands include RWM, Spring Fair, Autumn Fair, Premier Kids, Interbuild and BETT. Emap Connect facilitates face-to-face interaction for business communities, either to buy and sell things, to share knowledge or to scrutinise new business ideas. See www.emap.com