Atos hosts WIG workshop on plastic waste reduction

On Tuesday 12 February, Atos welcomed a group of 60 members of the Whitehall & Industry Group (WIG) for a dynamic workshop in our London office on plastic waste reduction and recycling. Featuring speakers from the Government’s Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Marks & Spencer, Wrap UK and Imperial College, the workshop looked at the interaction between policy on plastics and recycling, the impact on business, consumers and the environment.

The event is part of a series of briefings and workshops organised by WIG – the not-for-profit organisation dedicated to promoting mutual understanding between government, industry and the charity sector. The outcome from the workshop was a better shaped consultation for the forthcoming Environment Bill, which may include new initiatives such as a deposit return scheme for plastic bottles.

Hosting the event, David Dinsdale, Atos UK&I Chief Digital Officer – Public Sector & Health, said: “It was fantastic to have such diverse representation from central and local government, charities and commercial organisations. This is clearly an area of passion across sectors. It was interesting to see new issues being surfaced to policy makers, for example the confusion that people experience knowing what can be recycled where and how a circular economy can be created for plastics which would eliminate most plastic waste in future. We also shared details of our secure IT asset disposal service, leveraged by Ministry of Justice and others, which includes recycling end-of-life IT equipment within HMP Forest Bank, while giving offenders work experience and qualifications. This initiative was well received.”

This workshop was part of an exciting programme of events offered by WIG, available to Atos employees.