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Shanks supply agreement for Closed Loop
Waste management firm Shanks will supply plastic bottles collected
from its London operations to bottle-to-bottle recycler Closed Loop
Recycling’s plant in Dagenham, east London.
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11 Mar 2010
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Material sectors criticise Government's unachievable packaging recycling targets
Key figures across the recycled plastics, aluminium and wood industries have expressed their concerns over the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs proposed packaging recycling targets for 2020. Some sectors believe the Government’s targets are over-ambitious and need to be revised. They say more infrastructure and work on increasing the recovery rates of materials needs to be put in place before such targets can be reached. more... |
10 Mar 2010
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Drax calls on Government to change co-firing regulations
The Government needs to change biomass co-firing regulations which restrict competition and create an uneven playing field for independent electricity generators, power plant owner and operator Drax believes. Britain’s biggest and most efficient coal fired power plant, is concerned that its plans to further increase its co-fired coal and biomass capability are being damaged by regulations restricting the number of Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) from co-firing with regular biomass that electricity suppliers can present.
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09 Mar 2010
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Bristol submits waste incentive proposal
Today (8 March) Bristol City Council submitted its proposal to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to trial a waste incentive scheme. Under the scheme householders would receive 50 pence for each kilogramme of waste reduced from its average waste levels but householders would only be able to receive a maximum of £17.50 a year.
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08 Mar 2010
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Greenstar WES announces record r-HDPE plastic flake production
Greenstar WES has announced record production levels of food grade recycled HDPE plastic in December 2009. Nearly 700 tonnes of food grade recycled HDPE plastic flake was produced at the end of last year, boosting its overall 2009 production total to 5,900 tonnes.
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02 Mar 2010
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AWS receives planning permission to rebuild plant
AWS Eco Plastics has been granted conditional planning permission to rebuild the sort line, which was destroyed after a fire at its Hemswell plant. Unanimously agreed to by the council and recommended by the planning committee, recycled food grade PET producer AWS is set to begin building immediately with the goal to be fully operational by September 2010. more... |
02 Mar 2010
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Scotland launches £5 million plastic recycling fund
Zero Waste Scotland is launching a £5 million capital grant scheme to develop plastics recycling infrastructure in the country. The scheme was launched on 26 February on behalf of the Scottish Government as part of its Zero Waste Scotland programme. The money will be awarded to facilities capable of sorting, recycling and reprocessing a range of plastic waste, with a focus on plastic packaging and bottles from household waste. more... |
02 Mar 2010
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Car scrappage scheme enters exit phase
The Government car scrappage scheme has entered its exit-phase this week, as car manufacturers implement the quotas set by the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills.
Announced by Business Secretary Lord Mandelson, the final phase of the car scrappage scheme began on 24 February.
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25 Feb 2010
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A million vehicles taken off the road may be being sold on 'illegally' instead of being destroyed
Online auction house for automotive salvage Bluecycle is calling on the Government to increase enforcement of the European End of Life Vehicles Directive to stop vehicles, which should be scrapped being sold on ‘illegally’ through unauthorised car yards. A subsidiary of insurer Aviva, Bluecycle claims that up to a million vehicles a year, which are taken off the road and should be destroyed are not due to insufficient resources available to enforce European legislation governing their recycling.
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24 Feb 2010
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New textile sorting technology can make new garments out of old textiles
A process which will see low grade textiles turned into new garments is being developed by Dutch organisation Textiles 4 Textiles. The European Union project has developed a machine which can automatically sort unwearable textiles by chemical composition and colour, creating a new market for low-grade textiles. The textiles are then shredded and spun into new threads, which are woven into new textiles for use in making new clothes.
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24 Feb 2010
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"UK recovered fibre and plastic quality is relatively good, but by no means the best" say Chinese reprocessors
UK recovered paper exporters must continue to increase the quality of their material to secure orders from China, which remains the key export market. According to research carried out on behalf of the Waste & Resources Action Programme, paper production in India and Indonesia is forecast to grow steadily across the next ten years. However, due to domestic fibre being generally cheaper than imported, it seems increasing levels of paper are likely to be recovered from the domestic market instead of importing it in.
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23 Feb 2010
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MP slams white milk bottle processors
The Chair of the all party Sustainable Resource Group has slammed milk bottle processers that use white plastic which cannot be recycled into new white milk bottles. MP Alan Whitehead believes that milk processors should all use clear HDPE bottles to package their milk, in order to increase closed loop milk bottle recycling levels. Whitehead said: “As I understand it, there is a tolerance level as to how many white bottles can be recycled with the clear bottles. If the reprocessor knows they are below the contaminant level it’s fine but this is clearly not a long-term prospect. more... |
19 Feb 2010
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Boiler Scrappage Scheme to be available in Wales
Following the launch of the boiler scrappage scheme in England last month, the Welsh Assembly Government has announced plans for a similar scheme in Wales, beginning on April 1. From this date over 60s living in Wales with inefficient G-rated boilers will be eligible to apply for a £500 voucher towards the cost of replacing their old boiler with a new A-rated one. more... |
19 Feb 2010
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Corus begins mothballing
Corus’ Teesside Cast Products plant is beginning the mothballing process today after failing to find a long-term solution to rescue it. Responding to rumours of a possible eleventh hour bid Corus said: “There has been speculation about potential last-minute bidders for the plant. Corus' position remains unchanged. This is a mothballing, not a permanent closure. TCP will be kept ready for a restart. Corus remains open to credible offers for TCP.”
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19 Feb 2010
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NEWS UPDATE: Palm Paper acquires AbitibiBowater-owned Cheshire Recycling
Palm Recycling, a subsidiary of Palm Paper which owns the world’s largest newsprint machine, has acquired the business and assets of Cheshire Recycling, trading as AbitibiBowater Recycling Europe, from the administrators. Waste collection firm Cheshire Recycling will now be known as Palm Recycling, continuing to service the previous company’s clients, such as local authorities and press rooms. more... |
12 Feb 2010
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Prioritise reuse over recycling to reduce carbon emissions in construction industry, says expert
Reuse of building materials, such as bricks and steel girders, should be prioritised over recycling in order to minimise carbon emissions, according to Bioregional Development Group reclaimed materials manager Jonathan Essex. In a webinar called Zero waste equals 100% reuse – towards a low carbon construction industry hosted by web-based discussion tool 2degrees, Essex said: “We are recycling at the expense of the environment. The drive to reduce waste to landfill has increased recycling massively but has also reduced the level of reuse.”
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10 Feb 2010
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Production ceases at Bridgewater newsprint mill
Production at the troubled Bridgewater newsprint mill has now ceased, its administrators have announced. The news follows the decision to put the Bridgewater Paper Company into administration last week. Administrators Ernst and Young continue to look for a buyer for the business as a going concern.
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09 Feb 2010
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Ardagh Glass' appeal is thrown out
The Court of Appeal has thrown out Ardagh Glass’s claim that Chester West and Cheshire Council had no power to grant retrospective planning permission for the Quinn Glass plant in Elton. The decision comes months after the end to the legal battle over the legality of the plant when the Secretary of State gave Quinn retrospective planning approval in November 2009, after the local authority approved its application the month before.
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09 Feb 2010
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Scrappage scheme gets month extension
An extra month has been added on to the Government’s car scrappage scheme, pushing the deadline back to the end of March or until the money runs out. The initiative was originally due to close at the end of February.
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04 Feb 2010
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Metal recycler signs unique US$20M deal
UK metal recycler Rank Metals has signed a US$20 million (£12.5 million) trade facility agreement with the Bank of London and the Middle East. The financing agreement will allow Rank to finance more metal and expand its ferrous and non ferrous metal recycling activities worldwide.
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04 Feb 2010
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Equipment installation begins at Greenstar Atlas MRF
Greenstar UK has begun installing equipment at its Atlas plant, which is to be London’s ‘largest’ materials recycling facility. Since construction of the building finished at the 250,000 tonnes per year facility, work has begun on installing over 1,600 tonnes of steelwork and processing equipment. A waste transfer station is also located onsite to process a further 250,000 tonnes of waste annually once the facility is complete. more... |
04 Feb 2010
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Bridgewater newsprint mill goes into administration
The Bridgewater newsprint mill in Ellesmere Port, Cheshire has filed for administration after the directors concluded that Bridgewater Paper Company could no longer meet its debts. The mill, which is owned by global paper producer AbitibiBowater, has a production capacity of 220,000 tonnes of paper each year, employing 300 workers.
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03 Feb 2010
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WRAP funds mixed plastics facility
Construction of a new 20,000 tonnes per year capacity mixed plastics facility is to be funded by the Waste & Resources Action Programme. Redcar-based waste firm Greenstar WES received the grant to reprocess non-bottle household plastic packaging waste in January this year, after successfully entering a £2M capital grant competition launched by WRAP in June 2009. more... |
01 Feb 2010
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Call for councils to save money and recycle wheelie bins
Local authorities could save £1 million if they recycle their wheeled bins instead of throwing them in landfill, according to plastic recycling firm Luxus. The Lincolnshire-based firm pays local authorities money for the wheeled bins it receives from them and has a contract with 30 local authorities across the country. more... |
29 Jan 2010
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Paper and board recovery rose in 2009, despite recession
Waste paper and board recovery rate continues to rise despite the recession. The Confederation of Paper Industries preliminary data shows that last year the collection rate rose to 78% even though paper consumption in the UK diminished by 10% to a mere 11.5 million tonnes.
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27 Jan 2010
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Millets admits destroying unsellable clothing
Outdoor equipment and clothing retailer Millets has disclosed that it destroys stock that it cannot resell to customers. The retailer told MRW that items such as clothing or shoes, which may be faulty and cannot be resold are destroyed in order to stop them from re-entering the UK market as they may pose a safety risk.
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27 Jan 2010
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Door to door textile collection regulations to change to stop textile theft and bogus collectors
Regulations, which cover door to door clothing collections, are due to change in order to stop textile theft and collectors falsely posing as charities. The Charities Act is under review with the regulation of these collections potentially due to change, taking the responsibility away from local authorities and the police (in the case of London) and more closely monitoring charities which collect textiles from householders.
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27 Jan 2010
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Novelis ups aluminium can price for third time this month
Novelis has upped the price of aluminium cans for the third time this month. Currently a tonne of baled cans is valued at £850 and a tonne of loose cans is £800. This came into effect on 25 January.Before January the price of loose and flattened cans stood at £550 per tonne and baled cans were worth £600 per tonne. But on 4 January Novelis rose prices by £50 and then the following week, an additional £100 pushed prices up to £700 a tonne for loose and flattened cans and £750 a tonne for baled cans.
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27 Jan 2010
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'Ground-breaking' trials show carpet can be recycled
Recycling specialist Axion Consulting has discovered polypropylene carpets can be recycled into good quality polymer pellet for injection moulding. Trials to investigate recycling options for post-consumer carpets and possible new end-use markets for polypropylene products made from recovered material were initiated by Carpet Rcycling UK and funded by Envirolink North West.
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26 Jan 2010
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Defra: Commingled collection systems may stunt textile recycling
Commingled collections could stunt the increase of textile reuse or recycling if not ‘controlled’, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs believes. In its report Maximising Reuse and Recycling of UK Clothing and Textiles, Defra says the rise in the use of commingled collection systems are a ‘threat’ to the growth of the textiles recycling industry. more... |
25 Jan 2010
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Asda starts fabric re-useable conditioner trial
Supermarket Asda has launched a new trial today (25 January) that will see fabric conditioner being sold in re-usebale pouches from vending machines, introducing a new concept in shopping and reducing packaging waste. The trial, which has been funded by the Waste & Resources Action Programme, and partners eziserv [packaging innovation firm], McBrides and Unilever, begins in Asda’s Barnsley store and will be rolled out across four other Asda stores. more... |
25 Jan 2010
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New quality protocol for gypsum published
A newly published gypsum quality protocol could save industries which generate waste plasterboard around £8 million each year in disposal costs. The Quality Protocol for the Production of Recycled Gypsum from Waste Plasterboard, published by the Waste Protocols Project – a joint Waste & Resources Action Programme and Environment Agency initiative – no longer defines used gypsum as waste.
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22 Jan 2010
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MGB Plastics helps Hull recycle more
Bin manufacturer MGB Plastics has helped Hull achieve record recycling rates with its new delivery of bins. From September 2009, the firm has replaced residents’ old bins with three new ones including its own brown bins for food and garden waste, blue bins for recyclables and bin supplier Straight’s kitchen caddies. more... |
21 Jan 2010
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BMRA: Metal recycling industry faces a 'difficult' year
The year ahead will continue to be ‘difficult’ for the UK scrap metal industry but it is still in ‘good health’ according to the British Metals Recycling Association. BMRA director general Ian Hetherington told MRW: “We anticipate 2010 will continue to be a difficult year. more... |
20 Jan 2010
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Paper industry positive about SAICA containerboard mill
Paper industry experts have told of their support following the news that a new container board mill is to be built in Manchester. Owned by Spanish paper and packaging firm SAICA, the paper mill will be capable of producing 400,000 tonnes of recycled container board once it begins production in 2012.
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20 Jan 2010
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WRAP pioneers technique to remove mercury from FPD shred
The Waste & Resources Action Programme is pioneering a technique to recover mercury from LCD flat panel display shred, which can potentially be used for bulk scale commercial recycling.
WRAP, currently inviting companies to tender to demonstrate the process that separates high-quality materials from size reduced LCD displays until 1 February, 2010, say in their tender document: “Assessment of the concentration and final location of the mercury has proved problematic. It’s crucial to ensure the end fate of the mercury compounds can be properly monitored.” more... |
20 Jan 2010
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Environment Agency sets out Battery Regulations reminder for small businesses
Small businesses that make, import or sell batteries and battery-operated equipment from torches to toys are being urged by the Environment Agency to make sure they comply with the Battery Regulations.The regulations aim to reduce the environmental impact of batteries. Businesses are classed as a battery producer under the regulations if they put batteries on the UK market for the first time. For instance, a firm that imports portable batteries from Belgium and places this on the UK market for the first time will have to comply with the regulations. more... |
19 Jan 2010
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Car manufacturers given a quota as scrappage scheme closes
Car manufacturers signed up to the Government’s car scrappage scheme are to be given quotas, as it draws to an end next month. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills has revealed that it will soon be limiting the amount of orders car manufacturers can make under the scrappage scheme.
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18 Jan 2010
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Oxfam sees 15 per cent drop in donations
Oxfam has recorded a 15 per cent decrease in donations to its charity shops in 2009 – an additional three per cent drop on the previous year. The charity believes the 2009 figure and 2008’s 12 per cent drop are proof that the end of the UK recession is not close.
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18 Jan 2010
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Serious sentences for scrap traders handling illegal waste
A scrap yard owner and his son have been prosecuted after handling illegal non scrap metal waste at its Berkshire site. The two men received a suspended prison sentence and were ordered to pay prosecution costs for being found guilty of handling waste without a Waste Management Licence. Leslie Dunn senior and Leslie Dunn junior admitted to receiving waste including wood, plastics, cardboard, rubber, polystyrene and soil at its scrap metal site between January and July 2008. The men were also using the site as a skip hire business called Talking Rubbish. more... |
14 Jan 2010
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New 400,000 tonne container board paper mill to be built in UK
A new recycled paper mill capable of producing 400,000 tonnes of material is to be built in Trafford, Manchester. The £290M cutting edge facility, to be built by Spanish paper and packaging group SAICA, should help divert the export of some 450,000 tonnes of recovered paper by using it in the UK. In addition, the firm hopes the facility will reduce the amount of containerboard imported into the UK.
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13 Jan 2010
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Metropolitan Police shows off its green credentials
Police-seized guns, knives and ammunition have been melted down for the construction industry to reuse at the Olympics site in Stratford, the Metropolitan Police Service’s latest environment report reveals. Additionally, lead, brass and aluminium in waste ammunition from the MPS’s firing ranges has been turned into jewellery and photo frames.
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08 Jan 2010
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