CIWM President Tim Walker and Early Careers President Charlotte Davies spoke at the Waste Management Europe Exhibition & Conference 2025 in Bologna, Italy.
Taking place between 10-12 June, the Waste Management Europe (WME) 2025 Exhibition and Conference connects global experts in waste management, recycling, reuse and circularity.
WME 2025 says it promotes ‘cutting-edge thinking in applying innovative solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges’.
CIWM President Tim Walker delivered the Keynote Address at the Exhibition on new frameworks for a holistic waste management strategy.
Walker also spoke on the ‘Next steps for the waste management sector – a call to action to policy makers’ session, which identified areas of consensus for priority consideration and action.
Speaking to Circular Online, Walker called the opportunity give the Keynote Address as CIWM President a ‘great honour’.
“This was a focused event specifically looking at resources and waste and, across the three days, there was considerable interest amongst the participants in exploring how circularity could be progressed with several recommendations likely to arise from the conference for the EU – some may even involve CIWM.
“All-in-all, the days were hot, the conference was well attended and packed with great content, there were many questions asked only broken up by superb food and strong coffee – Italian of course. What better way to see in summer while also showcasing CIWM.
“It also provided a last hurrah for my Presidential Report Turning Off the Tap, which has provided me with much content over the year and allowed me to focus on how the resources and waste sector can talk to and work with others across the value chain to deliver circularity.”
What better way to see in summer while also showcasing CIWM.
Walker’s presidential term ends this week when he will be succeeded by the current CIWM Vice President Dr David Greenfield. Dr Greenfield will be inaugurated as president during a ceremony at the House of Commons on 19 June.
CIWM Early Careers President Charlotte Davies appeared at WME 2025 as part of a ‘Fireside Chat’ on developing a new generation of waste management talent.
Davies also gave a presentation on advancing progress of the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in Europe through circular economy integration.
“Coming from a UK-based background in resources and waste, it was great to learn from leading projects, campaigns and waste experts in what is being done across Europe, but also globally, to tackle the waste challenge,” Davies told Circular Online.
“I was also able to share my early career insight and experience from the CIWM’s Early Career team during a fireside chat discussing how to develop a new generation of waste management talent.
“During this, we talked at length about the green skills gap and the importance of engagement with schools, universities and incoming talent to reinforce the sectors future and the transition to the circular economy.
“A key takeaway for me is that the circular economy is a long way off, and to truly embrace the transition we need to collaborate with other sectors, change mindsets and prioritise system thinking. I strongly believe the CIWM and CEI along with others, will be key in enabling this.”
