Materials Recycling Week
24 June 2005
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Cans boost collection tonnages by 40%, says recycler
Including cans in household recycling collections helps local authorities hit their recycling targets faster, a plastics recycler said this week. Baylis Recycling takes 100 tonnes per week in mixed plastics and cans collections from local authorities across the Home Counties, and managing director Chris Baylis said: "Our mixed stream recycling capability helps councils to reach their recycling targets more quickly, as the weight of mixed plastic bottles and cans is typically 40% higher th -
Comment: Let smaller operators have their voice too
Over the last few months, MRW has reported on how Cornish scrap merchants have withheld payments on their waste management licence fee in a protest against the Environment Agency (EA). WH Orchard and some other companies in the area have held back from paying their fees because they believe the Environment Agency has done nothing to crack down on illegal vehicle recyclers in the South West. In particular, WH Orchard argues that it has spent over £50,000 in order to have the corr -
EA clampdown on scrap protest
One scrap merchant's three-month protest ended this week after the Environment Agency (EA) threatened it with court action. Cornwall-based WH Orchard was one of several scrap merchants in the South West that had withheld payment on its waste management license fee in protest at illegal vehicle recyclers plaguing the local scrap market ( -
Fear over plastics compliance
The chief executive of a leading plastics organisation has warned that there is a "high risk of failure" in meeting future recycling targets. Recoup chief executive Andrew Simmons, speaking at the organisation's annual general meeting, suggested that the packaging industry may struggle to reach European Union recovery targets of 60% by 2008. He said: "Plastic requirements for compliance were not met last year (2004). There was a shortfall of 11%, which was 44,000 tonnes. -
Feature: EA puts commingling under the spotlight
Crisis. What crisis? The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Environment Agency (EA) may have been making public proclamations about the quality of recycled collections, but local authorities say that neither has addressed them on the issues and the boroughs believe they are meeting required sorting standards. The contention point is the wrongs and rights of commingled versus source-segregated kerbside collections, an issue that was raised earlier this year -
Feature: Latest views on yesterday's news
A project to investigate the opportunities and barriers to using recycled content paper in the UK's magazine publication and print industry has been launched. If successful, it is hoped that the work could help stimulate demand and increase recycled paper content in magazine production. It could also encourage further investment in recycled magazine paper mills. Funded by the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), the work is due to take place in two phases, with the aim of givi -
Feature: Putting down roots
Thinking back seven years ago when the Brighton and Hove Wood Recycling Project started, Richard Mehmed had no idea of the scale and success of what would follow. Now the director of the National Community Wood Recycling Project (NCWRP), Mehmed says that the creation of the award-winning business model now being franchised around the country was a "complete fluke" - but one that is now having a significant impact. In 1998, under orders from his daughter to build her a playhouse, Mehme -
Feature: Systems review
Does the UK have low aspirations when it comes to dealing with waste? As this country languishes at the bottom of the European recycling league, with only Greece below us, it is time to take a good hard look at how this is going to be remedied. When it comes to recycling, Britain started late and is now playing catch up. And we do seem a long way From even thinking about initiatives that are being proposed by countries such as Germany, which include banning landfill from 2020, subsequ -
Government to open incinerator floodgates
The number of incinerators in the UK could rocket following a Government consultation that closed last week. The document recommended broadening the types of energy from waste (EfW) technology allowed under electricity companies' renewables obligations. Waste management firm Shanks uses incineration as part of its waste strategy and chief executive Michael Averill said: "The most cost effective and deliverable forms of providing renewable energy are through biomass co-firing and EfW. -
Man hit by tree at CIWM
The end of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) annual conference and exhibition was plunged into chaos when a man was injured following a vehicle hitting a tree as it attempted to leave the site. As the show was packing up at around 5pm, a lorry reversed into a tree opposite the Inn on the Green pub in Paignton, Devon, the tree fell over and hit a man causing him minor shoulder injuries. This led to disruption including the main road outside of the site -
News Analysis: The Big Recycle is back
It's that time of year again to celebrate everything to do with recycling and getting the public involved in recycling through fun activities. So what is going on this year beginning on Monday June 27? Well, four-times Olympic gold medallist Sir Matthew Pinsent is the 'face' of the Big Recycle this year and will be involved in lots of publicity to boost recycling. He will be on GMTV most mornings during the Big Recycle week and will be joined by Channel 4's Property Ladder host Sa -
On target for 25% recycling says DEFRA
England is on track to meet its targeted 25% recycling rate by 2006, according to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) annual report. Released this week, the report stated that although DEFRA recognises the target as a major challenge, "the acceleration of the Department's rate of progress confirms that the 25% target is within reach". In 2004, England's national average recycling rate was 17.7% and despite this figure having only moved up by 4% in the last f -
Pork pie council claims it is hitting 55% recycling rate
It may be famous for pork pies, but Melton in Leicestershire could soon be just as well know for its recycling rate. The council is claiming that its residents could be recycling as much as 55% of their waste after introducing a twin wheelie bin and recycling box collection scheme along with its contractor Verdant. Although, the council expects this figure to drop in winter as it is currently boosted by green waste collection. Verdant recycling education officer Paul Coa -
Sheffield family signs up for Big Brother-style monitoring
A Sheffield family have volunteered to have their waste audited at a special Big Brother-style house as part of a research project. Nick and Sue Parnell will live in the David Wilson Homes Project: Life House in Sheffield with their two teenage daughters for six months. Between this month and November, they will have their waste usage monitored and documented to help understand how families could manage their waste more efficiently. Onyx will provide a weekly -
Warning for businesses to be aware of hazardous waste regulations
Businesses are being urged to know the facts on new hazardous waste regulations before they come into force in July. Both the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and the waste industry are advising businesses to check the facts and be prepared for how the legislation might impact on their business. Local Environmental Quality minister Ben Bradshaw said: "It is essential that businesses act now. With many businesses finding themselves hazardous waste produc
