Walk n Talk

Governance

As a registered charity operating under a Royal Charter, CIWM is committed to serving the public interest. Our mandate is directed by our vision for a thriving and resilient world enabled by the expertise of the professional resources and waste management community, and executed through our mission to connect and lead this community through knowledge, training, and innovation.

Walk n Talk

Governance

As a registered charity operating under a Royal Charter, CIWM is committed to serving the public interest. Our mandate is directed by our vision for a thriving and resilient world enabled by the expertise of the professional resources and waste management community, and executed through our mission to connect and lead this community through knowledge, training, and innovation.

Family Recycling

CIWM’s purpose is to move the world beyond waste.

To achieve this, our Trustees maintain a clear and non-negotiable mandate: the organisation must operate "beyond reproach" and ensure full compliance with all its legal, charitable, and professional responsibilities.

The subsequent table outlines the specific roles within the organisation—designated in governance terms as "relevant persons"—and the corresponding compliance actions required to uphold these responsibilities. 

These compliance steps are essential demonstrations of CIWM's commitment to strong governance and integrity. The processes are designed to be efficient, and the CIWM Executive team provides comprehensive support and guidance to all volunteers to ensure effective compliance.

While every CIWM member contributes to our success and the wider body of volunteers constitutes the lifeblood of the organisation, this section specifically addresses those roles entrusted with ensuring CIWM maintains its ethical position and demonstrates "beyond reproach" conduct through diligent compliance.

The CIWM Royal Charter and Constitution  

CIWM’s Royal Charter was formally granted on 1 March 2002 and became fully effective on 1 July 2002. Subsequent amendments to both the Charter and its accompanying Bye-Laws were approved by Her Majesty The Queen through the Privy Council on 27 July 2004, thereby cementing the Institution's foundational legal status.

The Royal Charter establishes the Institution's core Objects, which are dedicated to the public benefit:

To advance for the public benefit the art and science of waste management worldwide and so to promote education, the protection of public health and the preservation of the environment, and for that purpose to further promote and maintain good standards of practice, competence and conduct by all its members.

The Royal Charter, together with the following documents, forms the comprehensive basis of the Institution’s Constitution:

  • Bye Laws - These may only be varied with the explicit approval of the Privy Council.
  • Regulations - These may be varied with the approval of CIWM Members.
  • Practice Directions - These may be varied by agreement of the Institution's General Council.

For more information on governance at CIWM, please contact: governance@ciwm.co.uk.

Committees   

CIWM has several committees that play a crucial role in its governance and operations. You can find a full list of these committees here. You can also find out more about the roles, responsibilities, relationships and accountabilities at CIWM and our wider community through our CIWM Roles and Responsibilities Map. If you’d like to join a CIWM committee, please email technical@ciwm.co.uk to find out how you can get involved.

Policies   

CIWM is required to publish a number of policies and statements on key topics, ranging from information and data security to workplace harassment. Here you will find all of the policies adhered to by CIWM (button to list of all downloadable policies).

View other key governance documents, including our Annual Reports and AGM minutes.