RAGS Members noticeboard now live (5th January 2006)

As part of our phased roll-out of our new look website, we are pleased to announce that our our members notice board is now operational in the members area.

2004/05 Accounts (5th January 2006)

After a difficult financial year in 2004/05, the accounts have finally been approved by the board. The Treasurers report (as presented at the AGM), together with the accounts are available for review in the Member Download Area.

RAGS information sheets now online (5th January 2006)

Hopefully you are finding our new look website and e-bulletins informative. The new year sees the launch of our online information sheets, to join the porfolio of information services. If you have any comments, or if you have an item of news you would like us to cover, please get in touch with us.

RAGS Annual General Meeting (5th January 2006)

The AGM was held on the 14th of December in Stirling.  Mr. Brian Bingham presented the Chairman's Report for 2004/05 and outlined the future for RAGS over the next year. Mr. Stephen Duffy then presented the Treasurers Report for 2004/05.

Both these reports are available in the Members Download Area. In accordance with our constitution, Angus Macpherson remained in post as a Director and the following were required to stand for re-election to the RAGS executive:

Brian Bingham (chairman)

Douglas Gardiner (Vice chair)

Stephen Duffy (Treasurer)

Kenny Smith

Michael Toal

Jude Maxwell

David Cruickshank

All were then re-elected as Directors of RAGS by the members. See the Member Download Area for the minutes of this meeting.

RAGS Website - Members area online (12th December 2005)

The long awaiting new look RAGS website is now fully operational with the launch of our membes area. Here you can interact with other RAGS members as well as have access to exclusive members only information. If your organsisation is a member of RAGS and you would like a username, please just click on the link to the Members Section and follow the instructions to set up an account - we will do the rest!

New look RAGS logo (26th October 2005)

Mr Brian Bingham (RAGS Chairman) unveiled the new look RAGS logo at the re-launch event in Kilmarnock today -"This new logo reflects the new look RAGS, allowing us to face the future with confidence" .

RAGS MRF site visit a success  (26th October 2005)

RAGS members enjoyed a day of fun packed action in Ayrshire on the 26th of October. After a morning of stimulating presentations covering kerbside recycling, MRF operation, recycling targets and future funding, the delegates visited East Ayrshire Council's MRF in Kilmarnock and Lowmac Alloys MRF in Irvine. After a thoroughly enjoyable (but wet) afternoon, the group returned to the Park Hotel in Kilmarnock for refreshments and an opportunity to chat with new and old friends alike. Brian Bingham, RAGS chairman, said "today’s event shows that RAGS has an essential role in bringing the public, private and community sectors together to share ideas and experiences, in order to make Scottish recycling the envy of the world". Have a look and see when the next RAGS event is planned near to you!

Click here to see a selection of photographs from the event.

New Honorary Members (26th October 2005)

In recognition of their efforts in helping make the RAGS re-launch event in Kilmarnock on the 26th of October a resounding success, RAGS has awarded its first honorary membership for 2005/06 to four high profile personalities in the Scottish Recycling industry:

Councillor Jim O'Neil  (East Ayrshire Council)

Mr, John Crawford (East Ayrshire Council)

Mr Stratton MacDonald (South Ayrshire Council)

Mr Gordon Jackson (Scottish Executive)

Pictured above, receiving their membership certificates from RAGS Chairman, Brian Bingham (Second from left) are (from left to right) John Crawford (East Ayrshire Council), Gordon Jackson (Scottish Executive) and Stratton MacDonald (South Ayrshire Council).

(Click here for a high defintion version of this photograph)

RAGS Organics special e-bulletin (24th October 2005)

Following the successful launch of our regular general e-bulletin, digesting and signposting you to some of the more interesting recycling news items from across Scotland (and the rest of the world), we have launched the first of our material specific e-bulletins.

Hopefully you have completed the members information form sent out to you with your 05/06 subscription invoice... if you ticked the box saying you were interested in organics and composting, you should have received this e-bulletin. If you haven’t yet completed your form, please do so ASAP, so we can make sure we keep you informed. If you need a new form, please contact the RAGS office!

If you didnt get the organics e-bulltin, you can download a copy here to download a copy in PDF format.

If you do not have adobe reader, please click here to download

RAGS Event prices revised (October 2005)

RAGS is all about enabling effective communication between our members  - we want you at our events! Following feedback from some of you, we have revised the pricing for many of our events to make them more affordable to some of our smaller members.  In addition, we will run competitions to win tickets to some of our events, making them even better value for the lucky winners! Keep an eye on our events page for more details.

RAGS AGM date set for 14/12/05  (September 2005)

The RAGS Annual General Meeting will be held on the 14th of December 2005. In accordance with our constitution, members will be notified by the 21st of November, advising of the location of the meeting and of the nature of any business to be dealt with. If you intend to raise any resolutions at the AGM, please contact the RAGS office. The exact terms of any "Special Resolutions" must be notified to the RAGS office by the 21st of November.

Chairmans Letter (August 2005)

Dear Members,

As the only recycling advisory organisation in Scotland with cross sector membership,RAGS has the unique ability to identify and bring together interested parties to initiate opportunities for industry to work successfully with the public and community sectors to develop a culture of sustainable waste management in Scotland. The outcome of this should enhance the long-term business climate throughout Scotland whilst aiding the Scottish Executive to meet the legislated National Waste Strategy targets.RAGS will focus on representation of member’s views, the dissemination of information to members and the facilitation of networking opportunities between members. By refocusing on these aspects of membership, it is intended to enhance the relevance ofRAGS membership  in order to grow the membership base. In this context, four key objectives for RAGS have been set by the RAGS executive for 2005/ 06:

• Demonstrate & enhance the relevance of RAGS to members
• Develop effective systems for disseminating information to members
• Facilitate enhanced networking opportunities for members
• Attract new members

The expertise and breath of industry representation contained within the RAGS Executive, combined with a new enthusiastic office team, means that these are exciting times for RAGS. We can make this a success if you our members get involved and tell us what you want. Make use of the RAGS office - keep in touch with the team and tell them what you want as members!

Brian Bingham