Futuresource

On the back of my visit to Ikea Lakeside I really have caught the travel-bug and so this week I had the opportunity to visit Futuresource at ExCel on Docklands. I went along with Phil from EUREKA, the London-based sister business-support project to Knowledge Thurrock Innovation Associates. That's Phil in the picture stood beside his dream car, a diesel powered Dulevo 850 - with that sweet ride he is sure to cut a dash on his morning commute in from Essex.

Futuresource is Europe's sustainability event and houses over 350 exhibitors and attracts over 9000 attendees. Stands promote goods and services ranging from JCB earth movers, ethical investment advisers, products for the waste, recycling & sustainable marketplace and environmental consultancy. By far the best reason for attending however is the 60+ free seminars covering a wide range of topics from communications and professional development, through food waste and packaging, to new technologies and the delivery of new waste infrastructure.

For me, by far the best seminars were delivered by WRAP and I learned about Defra's Zero Waste Places initiative and the additional benefits of working with communities to improve resource re-use. I also learned about Anaerobic Digesters which is the new name for what was my Grandad's old compost corner. The sector as a whole is a lot more advanced now, in fact Germany (the Jolly Green Giant) is now growing energy on maize farms.

There were a couple of gems throughout the presentation but if there is one thing that I ask any reader of this blog to do, is to sign up to the Mail Preference Service which will immediately cut down on the amount of junk mail that is sent to you. Less hassle and less carbon = everybody wins.