It has been, by far, one of the most talked about subjects of 2016. And it’s unlikely to fall off anyone’s radar just yet. We’re talking, of course, about Brexit.
When the result was announced, there were certainly mixed feelings within our industry, about the decision to leave the EU. However, research findings from a recent UNTHA poll reveal that an interesting mindset has now emerged among waste and recycling professionals.
In our November online survey, we asked participants: ‘Will Brexit affect your decision to invest in capital equipment in 2017?’
The first possible answer, which we perhaps expected to be the most popular, was: ‘Yes, spending is currently on hold’.
But it seems our industry is made of strong stuff, as not a single respondent selected that option – 0% of people have frozen their investing!
We were certainly shocked by the result, and of course we can’t proclaim to have surveyed every single person working within the environmental sector. But as an outcome, it is indicative of the industry’s resilience and determination to succeed, even in the face of tough times.
Commenting on the results, UNTHA UK’s chairman Chris Oldfield said: “I am encouraged by such a positive outlook. When we’d digested the initial blow that Brexit would go ahead, UNTHA UK’s disappointment soon turned to focus. We, like so many of our peers and customers, quickly identified that to stand still now, after so much hard work and progress, could be catastrophic, not just to our own businesses, but to the continued evolution of our industry on the whole.
“We therefore made the decision to carry on making – albeit cautious and sensible – investments, as we look ahead to the future.”
An impressive 50% of poll respondents seem to share Chris’s outlook entirely, with half of all survey participants answering: ‘We intend to proceed with our investments with optimism’.
The air of prudence cannot be ignored of course – the remaining 50% said they will need to be financially cautious next year. But, on the whole, the industry is far from a shrinking violet.
Chris continues: “We held an innovation forum at our North Yorkshire headquarters earlier this week, and a delegate made an incredibly pertinent remark. He said that we cannot expect the Government to carve what happens next for us; that no political party wants to invest in future generations on their watch, as they’re so fixated on immediate wins whilst they’re in power.
“The comment certainly hit home with our other guests. To sit back and wait for the repercussions of Brexit would be industry suicide. We have to keep forging ahead. And, it seems, we are.
“Our forward order book for new shredder installations is strong, which illustrates how many organisations are thinking about the more efficient recycling of materials, the more cost-effective production of alternative fuels and the more profitable creation of wealth from waste.
“Long may this mentality continue.”
UNTHA UK’s current poll focuses on data protection regulations. Please share your vote here.