Sanderson to take over from Ellin at RA

The UK’s Recycling Association has appointed former magazine editor Paul Sanderson as its new chief executive, replacing Simon Ellin who retires in March.

Ellin was previously ceo of both the RA and its subsidiary Independent Waste Paper Producers (IWPP) but commercial director Chris Burton now steps up to become the new md of IWPP. Sanderson will oversee the RA and the United Kingdom Security Shredding Association.

RA president Craig Curtis says: ‘I’m delighted that Chris and Paul will be taking on these roles under a new structure. Both have worked closely together over many years and have a fantastic relationship. I’m very confident that the RAS and IWPP will continue to go from strength-to-strength under this new leadership.’

Sanderson adds: ‘Simon will be missed for all the hard work, enthusiasm and skill he has shown as chief executive and I’ll miss him personally. But Chris and I will work together so that the RA and IWPP build on Simon’s leadership and everything that has been achieved so far.’

Ellin joined Simon joined IWPP as commercial director in 2009 and in 2011 became chief executive of both the RA and IWPP. He achieved celebrity status within the UK recycling sector in 2017 when he appeared on national radio and ‘outed’ Pringles crisps as the worst product to recycle: ‘We have five different materials just to house a crisp,’ he complained.
Kelloggs, the owners of Pringles, defended the product as having five barriers to keep the food fresh and have a longer shelf life.

Sanderson has provided communications and consultancy services to the RA since 2015 working closely with Simon and the Board. He has been involved in the recycling sector since 2004 when he joined MRW magazine, becoming editor.