“ THERE are just too many organisations seeking to represent the interests of the waste and resource recovery sector and they do not do it well.” How many times have we heard that statement in the last five years? One too many for the folks at Wasted Space.

As early as 2014, our sister publication WME ran an op-ed about how the miscellany of“ peak” bodies /“ voices of the sector” were not truly representing the industry. Here at Wasted Space, we tend to leave the bickering in the schoolyard and focus on other issues.

But in the last month or so, the number of calls we have received about non-renewals of memberships and general disgruntlement has seemingly intensified. So we decided not to ignore the chatter.

This is what we’ ve heard to date.“ We’ ve decided to reconsider renewing

our membership. Hell, we’ re not renewing because the associations are not representing the interests of the sector well.” Does it ever get old?

“ The major operators are thinking of setting something up.” Can anyone say collusion? Although what we’ ve also heard is that some of these majors have claimed that no, they are not looking to do that because the ACCC would be all over them in a heartbeat. Plus, two of the majors were recently appointed to the board of one of the major associations. So that’ s that.

Then, and this is where it gets interesting,“ rumours”( we’ ll leave it to you to decide if they are indeed rumours) have been whispered in our ears about one of the bodies setting up state-specific organisations that will eventually be run by an umbrella organisation. And this is to happen“ shortly”. At the same time, there are

others who are looking to“ crush” their competitors, which reminds us of one of those high school dramas on the Nickelodeon channel( or Disney if you were born before 1979).

There are other bits and pieces of information that Wasted Space isn’ t convinced is worth a mention.... yet. But you can be sure that we are keeping our ears to the ground.

Here’ s the thing. The gripe is that there are way too many associations and each have their merit – some will argue against this but this is our little patch of soil so we’ ll stand by it. The point is, there are too many. That has been the longstanding argument. And

what is happening now? Instead of coming to the table to seek a better outcome for the sector, we are thinking of setting up MORE associations. Counterproductive and ironic no?

And really, it doesn’ t take a genius to point out that fragmentation does nothing for us. We want governments to take us seriously and here we are, fighting about who is better, who should be the leader, who should be left out, blah blah blah.

For God’ s sake, come together and sort yourselves out. Then maybe we’ d be taken seriously because right now, we look like a bunch of kids engaged in a schoolyard brawl. iw

August 10-11 Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo Sydney Showground The Australasian Waste & Recycling Expo returns to Sydney in 2016, bringing together the industry to generate quality sales leads, discover the latest trends, showcase innovation, network with key waste and recycling decision makers from industry and government, and attend high quality practical seminars and workshops. www. awre. com. au

October 4-5 Waste Expo Melbourne Convention & Exhibition Centre Now in its fourth year, Waste Expo presents an opportunity to engage with professionals from sectors such as government, corporate, facilities including sporting, hospitality and entertainment venues, transport and healthcare, for whom waste management, recycling and sustainable solutions are increasingly vital. www. wasteexpo. com. au /

September 22-23 Waste South Australia Conference 2016 Stamford Grand Adelaide Hotel, SA The Waste Management Association of Australia conference will focus on the new state waste strategy and regulatory reform. It will hear from a number of speakers who will cover investment, infrastructure, innovation and learnings in waste management, recycling, resource recovery, and remanufacturing. http:// www. wastesa. com. au

October 25-27 National Conference Energy from Waste 2016 Novotel Sydney, Brighton Beach, NSW The Waste Management Association of Australia’ s EfW national conference will showcase a two-day program filled with informative sessions and networking opportunities including keynote presentations, both international and Australian speakers, concurrent technical and case study sessions, a welcome function, and conference dinner. http:// www. energyfromwaste. com. au