The final Recycling Sector Group meeting of the year was held over Teams on the 30th November.
Attendees were treated to a presentation from Sustainability Knowledge Partner, Briar Associates, with an update on energy costs and what this could look like for the recycling sector.
Matthew Grudgings, Industrial Sales Manager and Andrew Chester, Energy Manager Team Leader took members through a series of slides which indicated that with the UK’s gas reserves in the North Sea only providing 40% of the total UK’s gas supply, the UK is reliant on gas imports from Norway, Holland and the rest of Europe.
They also provided members with the latest update on prices and encouraged sign-ups to their dedicated Market Watch, for regular information: https://zenergihelp.zendesk.com/hc/en-gb
Members were also encouraged to assess the feasibility of using solar power in their facilities and questions were raised around whether an ALFED member would be interested in taking part in a pilot scheme to look into the potential around reclaiming energy from heat loss.
We also heard from Ursula Balderson, who is a researcher based at the University of Leeds Business School and is looking for member company engagement on a project focusing on ‘Decarbonising the Foundation Implications for Worker Skills’. Ursula informed members that the aluminium sector is a key environment for ‘green jobs’, but there are skills challenges around what these jobs entail and how the sector can work to develop these roles effectively.
Ursula is already working with the glass industry for this research, so it is the hope that an ALFED member will also be keen to engage and open the opportunity to start thinking about what these skills will look like in the future of our industry and how we should be utilising them.
The date and details of the next Recycling Sector Group meeting will be announced over the next few weeks. Anyone with an interest in these market updates are encouraged to take part and share your thoughts and/or concerns. For any queries, please contact ALFED Membership and Sustainability Manager Nadine Bloxsome: nbloxsome@alfed.org.uk
