The North East Recycling Forum (NERF) has been running in the sector since 1989, making this year the 35th anniversary. The NERF acts as a forum for the public, private and community sector to come together and share best practice in resource management issues. It runs quarterly meetings with an annual conference taking place each November.
This year’s Annual Conference will be a special celebration of these 35 years, with some fantastic speakers and taking place in the impressive Durham Town Hall, as sponsored by our Bronze Friends of NERF, Durham County Council. As the NERF reaches 35 years, we’ve taken some time to reflect on the development of the sector with some of the longstanding NERF Executive members and Friends of NERF.
From Ad Hoc Beginnings to a Resilient Institution
Jo Holmes is currently the NERF secretariat through her business Genee Consulting Ltd, and first became involved in 1999 when she worked for the Environmental Industries Federation (EIF). She recalls that NERF was less formal at the time, functioning on an ad hoc basis. By 2006, Jo had fully taken over the secretariat, steering the organisation through a critical period of sustainability.
"It was important to make NERF more structured and self-sufficient," Jo notes, reflecting on the challenges of managing the forum through difficult times, including the austerity measures that followed the 2008 financial crisis. "One of the things I'm most proud of is how we've grown NERF and introduced the Friends of NERF (FON) to ensure its longevity. Many other regional networks closed due to funding cuts, but we've kept going."
The Friends of NERF scheme is a membership model whereby organisations from across the region become official supporters of the North East Recycling Forum by paying an annual fee, helping to fund the forum’s activities and ensure meetings and events remain free to attend for the wider NERF network. Friends of NERF receive a number of benefits, such as exhibition opportunities at annual conference, pre-sale booking access to NERF events and promotion of the organisation in NERF literature and online.
Affirming Jo’s comments, Nathan Hughes, Business Development Manager at Alfred H Knight International, who are a Bronze Friend of NERF, said: “I always look forward to the NERF events and would highly recommend joining. I have looked for similar groups to that of NERF in the North West and down in the South, they simply don’t exist.”
This resilience in the face of financial uncertainty, Jo adds, was made possible through fostering a welcoming atmosphere and creating a strong sense of community among members. "It feels like old friends coming together, but we’re always open to new people," she says. "We've managed to attract great people to the NERF Executive, which has helped us stay relevant and dynamic."
Jeff Moffitt is the current Chair of the NERF and was previously the Waste, Recycling and Contracts Manager for Gateshead Council. Jeff has been the Chair of NERF for nearly 25 years and during this time there has been a monumental change across the industry with new and innovative collection, treatment, and communication developments. When discussing the longevity of NERF, Jeff also emphasizes that the forum’s inclusive, non-competitive nature has been key to its long-term survival: "What makes NERF unique is that it’s not driven by business interests. It’s a genuine collaboration between local authorities, businesses, and other stakeholders. There’s no hidden agenda, and that’s something we’ve worked hard to maintain."
At its inception, NERF’s goal was straightforward: to create a platform for sharing best practice in a sector that was still in its infancy. Ashley Cooper has worked for over 40 years across the scope waste management sector during his career: as a Local Authority Waste Manager; a County Waste Regulation Officer; an Environment Protection Manager for the Environment Agency and latterly, Managing Director of Premier Waste Management Ltd. Throughout, Ashley has sat on the NERF Executive. He recalls the significance of NERF’s creation:
"In the early days, the waste industry was heavily landfill-focused. Up until the mid-1980s, the idea of recycling was in its infancy," Ashley explains. "Waste disposal contractors were the big hitters back then, and NERF was set up to give smaller operators a chance to come together and share best practice in what was still a new and emerging sector."
Although NERF has grown and evolved over the years, its mission has remained remarkably consistent. "We’ve stayed true to our original goal of being a platform for knowledge-sharing," Jo says. "We’ve never tried to speak on behalf of the entire sector. Instead, we’ve focused on creating an open network for people to learn from one another."
The Value of NERF: A Network for All
One of NERF’s greatest strengths is its ability to bring people together for networking and knowledge-sharing. As Jo points out, NERF meetings are often nearly sold out even before the agenda is released, a testament to the value that members place on the forum. "Networking is essential, and our members appreciate the opportunity to come together, vent about industry frustrations, and exchange ideas," she says.
Jeff agrees, adding that NERF's impact goes beyond networking. "Over the years, we’ve inspired people and sown the seeds for collaboration. We’ve had high-level speakers, and sometimes people just need a platform to share their experiences. It’s all about unlocking opportunities and promoting good practice."
For Ashley, the forum's ability to keep members informed about changing legislation and market trends has been invaluable. "For a lot of members, the regulations around waste can be complex and onerous," Ashley explains. "NERF has helped by providing a roadmap through the regulatory mire and giving businesses and local authorities a platform to voice their frustrations and share knowledge."
Peter Moody is the CEO of GAP Group UK (a longstanding Gold Friend of the NERF) and sits on the NERF Executive. Peter asserts that “NERF’s commitment to fostering collaboration and innovation has not only strengthened our network but also significantly contributed to the sustainable growth of the recycling sector.”
Overcoming Challenges and Embracing the Future
One of NERF’s ongoing challenges has been ensuring that it remains relevant in a constantly evolving sector. Jo explains that setting agendas that appeal to a wide range of delegates is crucial. "It’s important to keep our meetings current and valuable. We want to offer something for everyone, from local authority waste officers to commercial businesses."
NERF has also played a significant role in responding to changes in environmental policy and legislation. By providing members with a platform to discuss new policies and share knowledge, NERF helps businesses and local authorities stay informed and ready for the future. Jo notes, "With Simpler Recycling legislation coming into play, the NERF will be working with the Combined Authority to raise awareness and prepare businesses for new legislation."
Jo sees NERF’s future as one of continued collaboration and expansion. "We’re going to grow our reach and continue supporting new people coming into the sector," she says. "Our job is to inform and prepare the industry for the future, and I’m confident NERF will continue to do that for many years to come.”
The North East Recycling Forum Annual Conference is taking place on the 20th November at Durham Town Hall. To be kept up to date with the NERF’s upcoming events, join the mailing list.
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