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About us
Endowed with a healthy degree of scepticism and a measure of irreverence, the WA Young Professionals provides a unique cross sector forum for those who are passionate about the waste industry. Our members come from a diverse range of areas including industry, manufacturing, landfills, recycling facilities, local government, state government, consultant, Catchment Councils and education.

As the name suggests, the group primarily contains those who consider themselves young…with everyone’s definition varying a bit. In practical terms, most of the YPs are under 40, or just very immature.

We recognise we are the decision makers of the future and as such need to be informed, educated and have strong networks throughout the industry. In the future, change will be achieved by breaking down traditional barriers and working together.

As YPs we wonder:
• Are the current decision makers planning for a sustainable future or just the next election/pay rise (that means you fat cat)?
• Are either government or industry making an effort to get the delicate balance right between environmental, economic and social factors?
• We are the future, how can we do it differently?

Aims
• Networking with others (young, old or uncertain) in the waste management industry
• Educating ourselves and those in the wider industry
• Not taking ourselves too seriously
• Promotion of the waste management industry as a career
• Making a difference

Outcomes
• Regular events to discuss what’s happening in the industry and the wider environment
• Presence and input into waste related events and promotion of the group through these events
• Creating/facilitating opportunities for YPs to present at conferences, seminars and gain wider experience of the industry
• Achieving links with key education providers (universities and TAFE)

What we do
Site visits
• Examples include a visit to the Tamala Park landfill site, the Southern
• Metropolitan Regional Council waste composting facility and Material Recovery
• Facility and AMCOR’s box factory

Conferences/ Sundowners
• At the 2007 Waste & Recycle Conference the YP’s hosted a half day session
• which showcased some of the YP’s talents

Social events
• Many pubs in the Perth area are now familiar with the Young Professionals