ONE of the recycling industry’s professional bodies, the Resource Association, is to close.

The organisation, which has had Otley-based businessman and town councillor Ray Georgeson as its Chief Executive since it formed in 2011, will wind up at the end of this year.

Mr Georgeson said the move was being taken in recognition of ‘changing priorities...at a time of economic uncertainty’. Over the past eight years the body has championed the economic and environmental benefits of high-quality recycling.

Mr Georgeson said: “It is with a heavy heart we make this announcement but the time is right. We are exploring opportunities to pass on the baton for some of our activities. We can be proud of the work we produced and the influence we have had.”