Meet the North West Resources Forum Executive Team: Gary Roberts

One year ago this month, we launched the North West Resources Forum, a community for waste and resources professionals across the North West to share best practice, hear the latest innovations and network with colleagues from across the sector.

As a forum our purpose is to bring together the breadth of the waste and

Gary Roberts, Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust

resources sector, from Local Authorities to Private Sector Waste Companies to Third Sector Organisations. Due to the scope of our meetings and network, we sought out a variety of voices, experiences and perspectives to sit on our Executive Team.

We're pleased to have Gary Roberts on our Executive Team, Waste and Logistics Manager at Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trus. Gary's work in the healthcare setting brings a unique perspective to the Executive Team, and he is a brilliant champion of the forum.

How did you first get into the waste and recycling sector?

During my career I have always been in Logistic focussed roles. At my current Trust the opportunity came up to shadow our Waste Manager whilst they were on leave, and I was fascinated by the role and the scope of work involved. Then due to a restructure, a new role was created, and I applied for it. I have been in the role since 2018 and see the rest of my working career being in the Waste and Resources sector.

Can you tell us a bit about your current role?

In my current role, I am the Waste and Logistics Manager for Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust, which I have been in since 2018. My role includes managing the Domestic, Dry Mixed Recycling, Food Waste, Clinical Waste and Confidential waste management services for all our managed properties across Greater Manchester. I am responsible for developing and managing our policies and local procedures in line with the associated NHS guidance documents and strategies. I also lead on Waste Governance to ensure our organisation is compliant with all aspects of waste legislation. More recently I have been aligning our Trust to the Simpler Recycling Policy in line with the Environment Act 2021.

What do you see as the biggest opportunities in the sector right now?

The biggest opportunities for me are to really drive Simpler Recycling across all areas, including the Commercial and Industry sectors, and for all organisations to really reduce the potential impact from the upcoming changes from the introduction of the Emission Trading Scheme, which will impact all users of energy from waste plants. I also see repair and reuse hubs being vital in driving our items up the waste hierarchy.

Why did you want to support the NWRF as part of the Executive Team?

I am passionate about the Waste and Resources sector and want to ensure the NHS voice is heard within this forum, whilst advocating any regional challenges we have in the North West. I also want to work in partnership with other liked minded individuals from all sectors, to help drive the waste and resources agenda within the North West region. I think we have a good opportunity to replicate the great work the North East Recycling Forum has done and look forward to innovating how we can take it to the next level and make sure the North East and West are leading the way in driving towards a net zero waste and resources sector.

How do you see the North West waste and resources industry evolving in the next 10 years?

With the introduction of the North West Resources Forum I hope to see more like minded individuals from the public, private and commercial sectors in the North West coming together to drive more local, innovative and circular economy solutions to help reduce our overall waste arising and look to work together to help combat some of the upcoming changes in legislation whilst we work to the government’s net zero targets.

If you could give one piece of advice to someone starting in this industry, what would it be?

It would be to be open to change. In my short time in managing healthcare waste, I have seen so many legislative changes and can see many more coming as we drive to a more circular economy. I would also say to network with other colleagues in different sectors who you can learn from, and as I did recently, seek a mentor who can share their knowledge with you. And enjoy it, as every day is different.

The NWRF runs quarterly meetings which move around the North West region. To be the first to hear about our upcoming meeting at Kendal Town Hall, join our mailing list.