News round-up May 2023 | MRW

Mars trials paper wrappers

Mars UK will offer its chocolate bars in paper wrappers at Tesco stores as it explores different packaging options.

In a first for the UK market, the brand will use findings from the pilot scheme to inform others across the region, as part of the company’s ‘Sustainable in a Generation Plan’ which aim to reduce plastic use.

“For Mars bar, the challenge was to find the right paper packaging solution with an adequate level of barrier properties to protect the chocolate whilst guaranteeing the food safety, quality and integrity of the product to prevent food waste,” said Richard Sutherland-Moore, packaging expert at Mars Wrigley UK’s research centre in Slough.

The company says it has also gained carbon neutrality status – certified by SCS Global Services  -making it the largest chocolate bar in the world to do so.

Press release

Olio partners with Whole Foods Market on food waste

Local sharing app Olio is working with retailer Whole Foods Market to prevent food waste at the latter’s London stores.

Following a successful six-week trial at the Whole Foods Market Kensington store – which collected over 1,200kg of edible food – the company will now give any leftovers that aren’t handed to its charity partners to Olio for redistribution.

“Olio users will be very happy to see another retailer taking steps to be even more sustainable and reduce food waste,” said Olio co-founder Tessa Clarke.

After launching in 2015, the Olio sharing app now has 7 million users around the world.

Retail Times

Northern rail uniforms to be used for insulation

Uniforms no longer needed by staff at Northern railways will be shredded and turned into ‘further life products’.

The company’s recycling partner and brand security specialist Avena will use some of the items to create new clothing, others for like insulation and sound-boarding, with the remaining sent for incineration.

“We already recycle 70% of our waste, but we’re on a mission to get that to 74% by 2026,” said Mike Roe, safety and environment director at Northern.

“Uniforms are something we have in abundance and through natural wear and tear and turnover of staff we regularly have to order-in fresh supplies.”

Press release

Oltco recycles equivalent of half a million straws

Sustainable driveway specialists Oltco have celebrated recycling the equivalent of 500,000 straws after launching in 2019.

Co-directors Tom Stringer and Johnny Pearce founded the company after becoming concerned with plastic waste in their home of Cornwall, developing their resin bound solution – ‘Recycle Bound’ -from used plastic goods.

Each square metre of Recycle Bound consists of the equivalent of 3,000 plastic straws. It has been used at attractions such as the Eden Project, Bodmin Jail Hotel and Blackpool Sealife Centre.

“Hitting 500 million plastic straws after four years is a huge milestone and one that we are incredibly proud of,” said Pearce. “We won’t be stopping here as the number of plastic straws that are recycled in our Recycle Bound installations increases every day. Here’s to the next 500 million.”

Press release

‘Green’ construction demand grows

North east-based Scott Bros has seen a sharp rise in demand for ‘green’ construction materials with several major regional suppliers having switched from natural sand to buying more than 800 tonnes of recycled sand every week.

The firm said it now had the capacity to produce more than 200,000 tonnes of recycled sand annually.

It recently invested £6m in an ‘urban quarry’ that converts construction and excavation waste into builder’s and sharp sand together with five grades of aggregate, ranging from 5-10mm up to 60-120mm. A wash plant will process 300 tonnes and hour of inert materials once fully operational.

Press release

Scooter submerged after battery fire

A fire in a refuse collection lorry in Crawley last week resulted from an electric scooter with a lithium-ion battery being thrown into a household bin, West Sussex County Council has said.

Firefighters were able to extinguish the blaze and left the electric scooter submerged in water at Crawley recycling centre to prevent it reigniting.

Watch manager  Christopher Barker said: “All types of batteries, including lithium-ion batteries, pose a serious risk when thrown away in general waste or recycling bins, as this incident clearly shows.”

Press release

Event to convene circular steel industry

The Circular Steel 2023 event will be held in London on 29 June to discuss decarbonisation of the steel industry.

Organiser Steve Gilchrist said this followed growing recognition of the role existing buildings played as material banks and the concept of ‘urban mining’, which had seen a burgeoning steel reuse marketplace evolve.

He said the implications of the steel reuse movement were far-reaching, and efficient utilisation of steel resources could drive decarbonisation 

Gilchrsit said: “As the world pushes forward with decarbonisation efforts, there is a growing recognition that the circular economy holds significant potential, and steel reuse is at the forefront of this transformative movement.”

Press release

Recycled furniture firm uses 120 millionth bottle

NBB Recycled Furniture has said it has now recycled more than 120m bottles in the manufacture of its range of 100% recycled plastic furniture.

It said each kilogram of material used in the furniture had been derived from 28 two-litre HDPE plastic bottles, 

Avantages of recycled plastic over traditional timber were both financial and environmental , the firm said, as plastic offered a long-lasting and cost-effective alternative to conventional materials.

Press release

Brecon residents offered rewards for recycling

A digital deposit return scheme (DDRS) trial will offer cash rewards to those who scan uniquely-labelled containers before recycling.

The ‘Scan|Recycle|Reward’ trial is being led by the Digital Deposit Return Scheme Alliance with Powys County Council and the Welsh government, which says it will help understand how technology can be used in the proposed DRS.

“Although completely voluntary, we are hoping that as many people as possible join in and help us improve recycling rates, whilst also benefiting from the cash rewards on offer,” said Powys council cabinet member Jackie Charlton.

“This will be the first time anywhere in the world that a whole town will use this new technology and the findings will be analysed and shared with the rest of the UK, putting Brecon at the forefront of recycling innovation.”

Brecon and Radnor Express

Defra consultation on biodegradable waste to landfill

Defra has today called for evidence related to the disposal of biodegradable waste in landfill as part of its commitment to eliminating the practice by 2028.

The survey is intended to inform future policy development in England and welcomes views from all interested stakeholders. It will run until midnight on 7 July.

Press release

Father and son charged for illegal waste site in Cornwall

A man has received a suspended sentence after operating an illegal waste site at his home in the village of Sticker.

Michael Joseph Richards, aged 59 of Menorca Lane, Bugle, and his son – also called Michael – were both charged. Richards Senior was handed an 18 month suspended sentence at Bodmin Magistrates Court while his son was ordered to pay half the costs, amounting to £4,397.75.

The Environment Agency was alerted to the site after a fire, finding household waste including plasterboard, timber, cement bags, rigid insulation and electrical appliances stored without a permit.

Press release

Essex householders to get help with binning food waste

Just under 400,000 homes in Essex will receive a package containing a leaflet, ‘no food waste’ bin stickers and food caddy liners to help reduce organic waste heading to landfill.

The county council’s Food Waste Recycling project comes at a cost of £763,000 over four years though an anticipated 10% increase in the amount of food waste being recycled is expected to cover most of the cost.

“The council needs to accelerate the progress already made to ensure that the target of sending no waste to landfill by 2030 is achieved, which supports the national target to achieve 65 per cent recycling by 2035,” said a council statement.

A similar project in Dorset increased recycled food waste by almost a fifth.

Essex Live

Firm solves council’s underground bin problem

Fiveways Group, has been awarded a short-term contact to empty 18 underground bins installed by the London Borough of Havering at a new housing development.

The contract runs while Havering awaits delivery of a 26-tonne 6×2 vehicle from Dennis which will be fitted with a mounted crane to lift and empty underground containers.

Each bin holds some 5,000 litres of materials and waste collected will be transported to Renewi’s Frog Island materials recycling facility for processing.

Fiveways business development director Emma Chessman said: “Whilst underground containers are rapidly increasing in popularity there are still not many waste companies or traditional hire companies that have these specialist vehicles in their fleet.”

Press release

EA secures order against Sheffield site

Sheffield waste operator M White Skips has been issued with a further restriction order to prevent it from accepting and managing waste, the Environment Agency has said.

The order lasts for six months and Sheffield Magistrates awarded the EA costs of £17,199.48, split half against the company and half against James White.

EA officers told an earlier hearing that the condition of the site posed a risk of serious pollution and serious harm to human health.

Press release

Binn commits to Disability Confident status

Perthshire-based Binn Group has committed to the government’s Disability Confident scheme to formalise its work with people with disabilities.

Chief executive Allan MacGregor said the company would ensure those with any form of disability or learning difficulties would have every opportunity to maximise their talents.

He said: “Disability is no barrier to being able to find a suitable role within the workforce where people’s talents can contribute enormously to a company’s success,” 

Binn Group also offers an employee assistance programme which provides free mental health services.

Press release

Orbex launches recycled metals market service

Orbex has launched what it says is the world’s first marketplace for globally-recognised authenticated recycled metals. 

It said demand for secondary metals is predicted to overtake primary metals within the next 20 years, with a market value potentially reaching up to $500bn (£404bn) by the end of 2024. 

Although some 400m tonnes of metal are recycled annually, the company said no globally-recognised, standardised authentication process as yet existed to verify the origin of recycled metal and track its use through the supply chain, which prevented businesses from accurately accounting for their environmental impact.

Press release

Bin lorry recycled into classroom

A former refuse collection vehicle – called Dennis – has found a new life as a mobile classroom, teaching children about the value of recycling.

Working with Ansa Environmental Services, Cheshire East Council offered visits to local schools in April, with more than 2,600 pupils given the chance to learn more about reduction and reuse.

“Pupils are already knowledgeable about recycling in general and the impacts of single use plastics,” Tom Shuttleworth, interim director of Cheshire East Council’s environment and neighbourhood services.

“They are keen to understand how this affects their environment and are eager to learn and do more. It has been a very positive experience to help facilitate that.”

Ansa’s community engagement officer Laura Demircan said some schools had set up recycling groups following the visits.

Press release

East Midlands Railway switches to recyclable tickets

Staff on board East Midland Railway’s trains will now issue paper tickets instead of those with hard-to-recycle magnetic stripes.

The move will mean more than 600,000 tickets a year can be saved from landfill, said the company, which has spent £116,000 on 300 paper-roll devices.

“We have an important role to play in helping people live more sustainably by offering a practical alternative to taking the car,” said Tom Gunton, environment and sustainability manager.

“​But, on top of that, it’s our responsibility to minimise the environmental impact of our services.”

Press release

Delivery driver dies after ‘medical incident’ at landfill site

A man died at the Port Clarence Waste Recovery site in Middlesbrough on Monday after falling ill while making a delivery.

Two ambulances and one clinical team leader were called to the landfill site at 1:24pm, but the man, in his 60s, was declared deceased soon after.

“The man’s death is not being treated as suspicious and a file is being prepared for the Coroner,” said a spokesperson from Cleveland Police.

The site’s operator, Augean, expressed its gratitude to all staff members who gave assistance, and offered condolences to the man’s family.

ITV

Work begins on £2m recycling centre in Suffolk

DXI Regeneration has broken ground on a new household waste and recycling centre in Haverhill, on behalf of Suffolk County Council.

When completed in early 2024, the site will be operated by FCC Environment, which currently manages the county’s 11 recycling centres.

“It’s great to be able to work in partnership to design and build a facility that has been well considered throughout the whole process to meet the needs of a growing community,” said FCC’s environment director Steve Longdon.

The centre will include raised platforms, increased capacity and improved access says the council.

Press release

First Mile partners with delivery firm

Last-mile logistics company Stuart has partnered with recycling and waste management company First Mile to support its pick-up and delivery services in Greater London.

First Mile has used electric cargo bikes and vehicles, and said working with Stuart for deliveries further afield would give it more efficient routes and further reduce carbon emissions.

Bruce Bratley, founder of First Mile said: “Stuart is a key partner in helping us to deliver on our commitment to reduce the carbon impact of our operational platform to zero.”

Press release 

Toolkit launched to cut construction packaging

The Alliance for Sustainable Building Products has launched a toolkit to aid the construction industry in avoiding unnecessary packaging waste, funded by the Ecosurety Exploration Fund.

It uses the redevelopment of the Marlborough Sports Garden in London as a live case study to understand the ability to design out packaging waste in construction and operation.

Packaging waste may account for between 5%-50% by volume of a construction project’s total waste, with an average of 34% by volume, the alliance said, with very few industry-wide initiatives in place to reduce this.

The toolkit provides checklists and case studies for the whole supply chain, including clients, designers, contractors and manufacturers.

Press release

Council issues warning after battery fire

Harrow Council has warned residents not to dispose of batteries in their recycling or general waste bins after lithium batteries were identified as the cause of a blaze involving 45 tonnes of waste at in its recycling centre. 

London Fire Brigade was able to quickly bring the fire under control without disruption to council’s services or harm to residents.

Harrow Online

New sustainability goals for Powerday

Waste management firm Powerday has set itself fresh targets in its Sustainability and Wellness Manifesto for 2023.

This sets objectives for employees, communities, carbon management, clients and procurement, with a roadmap to net zero.

Chief executive Edward Crossan said: “We have a particular focus on fairness in the workplace and community, training and development, net zero carbon, and the health and wellbeing of young Londoners, and look forward to updating you on all our progress in the year ahead.”

Press release

Larger premises for WEEE firm

iWaste has moved to larger premises outside Reading with a 10-year lease on a 15,000 sq ft unit at the Ducks Nest Farm commercial estate after a fofur-year search for a site, with the company having outgrown its premises in Eversley.

Director Sam Prentice said: “This move – which in the end is not far from our previous home – enables iWaste to take that next step up as a business. We are investing heavily in new facilities and we have site potential for onward development as required.”

The company provides electronic waste collection services, secure data destruction, electronic recycling equipment and WEEE disposal.

Press release

Train firm to provide coffee cup recycling

Train operator TransPennine Express has installed new recycling bins for single-use coffee cups at Cleethorpes, Hull and Scarborough stations as part of a trial to improve recycling at each location. They will potentially be extended to further stations.

Each bin is made up of three tubes: one for lids, one for cups and a third for any liquids. 

Nicola Martin, head of sustainability for TransPennine Express, said: “Single-use coffee cups are one of our biggest forms of customer waste we collect, and it can be extremely difficult to recover these materials from waste bins, making material recovery options limited.”

Press release

Leader petitions against waste site closures

Recycling and waste centres at Dartford, Faversham, Maidstone and Richborough face closure as Kent County Council seeks to save money.

It also plans to reduce hours at 10 other sites, as part of £55m worth of savings.

Dartford Borough Council leader Jeremy Kite has started a petition to save the site in his district, which has attracted more than 1,300 signatures.

BBC

Fire hits Dorset waste site

Fire has burned some 50 tonnes of waste at a fire at a waste management site in Wareham, Dorset.

Firefighters were called with reports of heavy smoke from an area of waste measuring around 22 metres by 15 meters.

A spokesperson from Dorset & Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service said: “We had six pumps in attendance as well as a water carrier from Hampshire.

“50 tonnes of waste was in the holding area and the fire was within that. We used one hose reel jet and two main line jets to extinguish the fire.” No cause is known.

Yahoo

Scientists’ safety concerns over food packaging

Researchers at Brunel University London have identified 377 ‘food contact chemicals’ in polyethylene (PE) that can disrupt hormones and lead to health risks.

Working with the Food Packaging Forum, the group analysed 116 studies into how these chemicals can leach into good and potentially be absorbed into the body.

Two hundred and eleven of them were found to seep into food at least once during the plastic’s life cycle, only a quarter of which are authorised by EU regulation.

“The number of non-authorised chemicals was unexpectedly high,” said Dr Eleni Iacovidou, lecturer in environmental management. “We found a lack of sufficient evidence to show PE can be safely recycled into new food-grade packaging.”

Press release

Man passes away at Hereford recycling centre

Emergency services have confirmed the death of a man at a household waste and recycling facility in Hereford this week.

Following a “medical emergency” at the facility on the Rotherwas Industrial Estate, an ambulance, paramedic and an air ambulance were called to the scene just after 3pm on Tuesday 16 May.

“Ambulance staff immediately began administering advanced life support but sadly, despite everyone’s best efforts, it became apparent that he could not be saved and he was confirmed dead at the scene,” said West Midlands Ambulance service communications officer Jamie Arrowsmith.

Local media reported a joint statement from Severn Waste Services and Herefordshire Council offering their condolences, adding only that the individual concerned was a member of the public.

Press release/Hereford Times

Edinburgh communal bins project reports success

A communal bins review project by Edinburgh City Council has seen an increase in the collection of recyclable materials, including a rise in on-street glass collection by a third on pre-pandemic levels.

Requests for services related to overflowing communal recycling bins have dropped by 85% over the period of January 2022 to March 2023.

“The glass collected from on-street communal bins has increased from an average of 2,900 tonnes in 2019/20 to nearly 3,800 tonnes,” read a report submitted to the Transport and Environment Committee this week.

The project was first approved in February 2020 to increase recycling rates and reduce fly-tipping by improving access to facilities for residents, with around hundreds of new recycling bins among the measures implemented from March 2022.

Edinburgh City Council

Man jailed after camping at Cambridge recycling centre

Huntingdon Magistrates’ Court has sentenced a man to 10 weeks in jail for ignoring a court order which prohibited him from entering the Wisbech recycling centre.

Kamil Mielncizk, 31, or no fixed address, was found by local police inside the grounds on 11 May following complaints of an illegal encampment.

Mielncizk had been found on the site numerous times, say media reports, and had previously been convicted of thefts, resulting in the two-year criminal behaviour order barring him from entering any Cambridgeshire recycling centre.

“There has been significant effort by the council’s homeless outreach workers to support Mielncizk however he has refused to accept the help offered,” said PC Justin Bielawski.

Wisbech Standard

Straight to head WasteAid

Charity WasteAid has appointed Jonathan Straight as its chairman, succeeding Sarahjane Widdowson who will remain a trustee. He has spent three decades across the public and private sector in the recycling field.

WasteAid works with communities and policymakers in low and middle-income countries to implement waste management and recycling programmes. 

Straight said: “At a time when the world is facing an environmental crisis, WasteAid and its partners have a critical role to play in empowering local communities to safely manage their waste while also delivering important socioeconomic benefits at a grassroots level.”

Press release

Reconomy finds gaps in circular efforts

Analysis by Reconomy Group of Office for National Statistics databases has found 35% of businesses have not taken meaningful action to reduce carbon emissions.

Switching to LED bulbs was the most popular action, taken by 32% of firms, while 27% had adjusted heating and/or cooling systems, 14% installed smart meters and 8% had insulated their building.

A sector breakdown revealed the professional, scientific and technical services sector had 42% of firms not yet taking action on carbon emissions, followed by  transportation and storage (41%) and construction (38%).

Diane Crowe, head of sustainability at Reconomy Group, said: “Despite making positive progress in climate commitments and activity to get net-zero, it is evident that businesses in the UK still have the chance to make further meaningful change. Accelerating this shift to a more circular economy will be vital in our transition to more sustainable business practises that drive growth while protecting our environment and finite resources.”

Press release

Aldi joins in refill endeavour

Supermarket Aldi has joined the Refill Coalition alongside Ocado, Waitrose and logistics firm CHEP.

The Coalition is seeking a means of refilling to reduce the  56.5bn units of single-use plastic packaging sold annually in the UK.  It said that while some retailers have introduced refill stations, an end-to-end solution was needed to achieve scale.

Luke Emery, plastics and packaging director at Aldi UK, said: “We look forward to working together with industry partners to offer customers even more convenient and efficient ways to shop plastic-free, and drive further uptake of unpackaged products.”

Press release

Award for school uniform reuse shop

The Princes Trust has awarded a grant to a school where students set up a uniform recycling shop to help with deprivation in their local community, the Daily Mirror has reported.

Teacher Penny Pearson said the school at Ysgol Maesteg in Bridgend, said the cost of living crisis had stretched families’ finances, which resulted in some not being able to replace their teenagers’ school uniforms regularly.

 As part of the three months project students learned how to take care of clothes and present them to look like new again.

Daily Mirror

Lush builds in-house ‘green hub’

Cosmetics company Lush has completed its ‘green hub’ at its Poole headquarters.

The building will house six teams working on circular economies, a closed loop for packaging and solutions to reuse, repurpose, repair and recycle materials from across the business.
Lush said it invested £2.3m in relocating the hub from an external site and fitting out its new 40,000 sq ft premises, three times the size of its previous location.

Press release

Historic medal found on recycling site

Recycling workers employed by NWH Group have found a World War Two Commander of the British Empire medal rotting in a pile of rubbish at Leith, the Daily Mail has reported. Stuart Rae, who made the find, now wants to trace its rightful owner.

The blue and red cross is in an old, thin, black box and has a yellow circle in the centre with a red band around it featuring an inscription.

Connecting the cross to its grey and red ribbon is a gold crown which is attached to the top point of the medal – similar to the Knighthood of the Order of the British Empire medal.

Daily Mail

Authority focuses on waste systems thinking

More than 600 people have registered for North London Waste Authority’s (NLWA) ninth annual Waste Prevention Exchange, making it the largest yet.

It said the event this week will see experts tackle some of the most complex issues in reduction, reuse, repair, recycling, and waste prevention and share exciting new ideas. Attendees will focus on systems thinking – how looking at the bigger picture can help moves to a circular economy.

NLWA chair Clyde Loakes said; “To truly make a difference, we need to think bigger and prevent waste across the whole economy. That’s why this year’s conference will focus on systems thinking.”

Press release

Qatar clears World Cup waste

The Ministry of Municipality has overseen the sorting and recycling 100% of the waste generated during the FIFA World Cup 2022 in Qatar, the country’s government has said.

The Gulf Times reported more than 271m kwh of electricity and 35,000 tonnes of fertilisers were produced at Qatar’s the Domestic Solid Waste Management Centre, which handled more than 27,000 tonnes of recyclable materials.

The ministry said this was the first time in the history of the World Cup that such a large amount of waste had been recycled or converted to energy.

Gulf Times

Hospitals urged to end use of wasteful ‘blue roll’

Nurses have been urged to ditch the ‘blue roll’ commonly used to cover examination couches to help improve sustainability in health and social care, MRW’s sister title Nursing Times has reported.

Infection control nurse Rachael Brown said the covers served little purpose and couches should be cleaned between patient use anyway.

She and colleagues at Nuffield Health Warwickshire Hospital have been removing couch covers where patients are not having invasive procedures, and estimate this will save £3,900 per year as well as 55 miles of paper, 1,776kg of  clinical waste and 4,107kg of C02.

Nursing Times

City represents UK in EU ‘lost plastics’ programme

Yorkshire-based recycling company MYGroup has supported Southend-on-Sea City Council in demonstrating a proof-of-concept to increase plastic recycling rates among businesses as part of an EU-sponsored programme PlastiCity. Other participants are Ghent, The Hague and the Douai region of France.

The project is focused on increasing recycling rates of ‘lost plastics’ – material eligible for recycling, but not yet collected or processed by mainstream waste management operations and so sent to landfill.

MYGroup delivered 500 recycling boxes for the council to distribute to businesses and organisations for collection these materials, such as soft plastic used for wrapping and bags.

Carole Mulroney, Southend’s cabinet member for environment, culture and tourism, said: “Southend-on-Sea was the only city in the UK to be chosen to take part in the project, meaning we have a huge opportunity and responsibility to set the gold standard for plastic recycling for others to follow.”

Press release

Veolia listed among best workplaces

Veolia has been listed in the Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2023 list as one of the top ten best companies in the ‘very big’ category. It was also highly commended as an employer for the over-55s. 

The awards are based on employee engagement and wellbeing levels as measured by employee surveys.

Beth Whittaker, chief human resources officer, Veolia Northern Europe said: “We see that our people are engaged and passionate, our work is important and innovative, and our impact is vast and vital.”

Press release

Enva helps squirrels to feed

Red squirrels are being kept well-fed thanks to waste firm Enva Scotland, which has purchased 20 feeders for areas badly affected by recent storms.

The company is Aberdeenshire Council’s contractor to process mixed recycling and chose to support the red squirrel population as part of its sustainability and community benefit agreement.

Chris Sloey, account manager at Enva, said: “We are more than happy to be making the financial contribution, helped and assisted through the contract set up by Aberdeenshire Council and the community benefit aspect of the contract.”

Aberdeen Live

Solar panels to power Suez site

Suez Recycling and Recovery UK has switched on more than 1,000 solar panels on the roof of its Avonmouth material recycling facility – which are set to supply 17% of the plant’s power needs.

The roof was previously empty, but after installation by contractors Olympus and Apex Height Safety, the panels can now generate an estimated 373,000 kWh a year, equivalent to the yearly electricity use of 128 homes. 

Adam Read, chief external affairs and sustainability officer, said: “Solar panels are a standard feature when planning new developments, but we’re also identifying opportunities to retrofit renewable energy sources across our existing estate as part of our strategy to reduce our carbon emissions.”

Press release

Ineos claims first for thin film recycled content

Chemicals firm Ineos has launched what it said was a world first ultra-thin, rigid film used for recyclable flexible packaging products and made from more than 50% recycled plastic. 

It said this was the first time such a high proportion of recycled waste plastic has been used in packaging products.

Ineos worked with Hosakawa Alpine to process Recycl-IN resins containing more than 50% recycled plastic to make polyethylene film, which it said would be used to manufacture recyclable single polymer flexible packaging products that replace difficult-to-recycle multimaterial packaging products.

Press release

GMB says recycling site is under staffed

Workers at the Blochairn recycling plant in Glasgow have said they will be unable to meet the city council’s recycling targets unless the workforce is increased.

A meeting between management and GMB trade union representatives heard claims there were only nine members of staff when there should be 22, and so waste was ending up in landfill.

But Glasgow City Council denied this and said residual waste would be sent to the Glasgow Renewable Energy and Recycling Centre to produce electricity.

Glasgow Live

Velocys gets grant for air fuel plant

Sustainable aviation fuel manufacturer Velocys has secured a grant of up to £27m from the Department for Transport’s Advanced Fuel Funds towards its Altalto Immingham plant.

It said the project aimed to deliver a commercial waste-to-aviation fuel plant and the new grant and matched funding would allow the front-end engineering design stage to be completed. Construction is due to start in 2025 with full commercial operation expected in 2028.

Press release

Enva starts wind turbine recycling

UK and Ireland recycler Enva is offering a service to recycle decommissioned wind turbine blades.

After a successful trial at the company’s Ayrshire facility, Enva will begin cutting old blades into 50 metre lengths before crushing, shredding before recovering reusable materials.

“Enva is committed to bringing at least one new recycling process to market every year and the opening of our wind turbine blade recycling facility is another tangible example of this innovation and investment,” said Michelle Scott, Enva’s operations director.

“The increased use of alternative energy sources will result in new waste streams which will each require managing in a way that enables us to unlock their circular economy and commercial value.”

Enva points out that the UK and Europe are expected to decommission 25,000 tonnes of wind turbine blades every year by 2025.

Press release

DS Smith begins strategic review

Packaging company DS Smith has confirmed it is undertaking a strategic review of six of its seven UK recycling sites.

Consultation has begun at its five recycling sites in Leeds, Bolton, Birmingham, Uxbridge and Avonmouth regarding potential closure.

“Our Logistics function operating out of Avonmouth is unaffected by this announcement,” explained a spokesperson. “We have also entered into a consultation at our head office in Caerphilly about a potential reduction of roles there.”

When approached about the review, the Confederation of Paper Industries said it did not usually comment on individual cases.

Press release

Guernsey fridge backlog to be cleared by autumn

Waste authorities in Guernsey have assured that more than 6,000 old fridges and freezers will be removed from the island soon.

The appliances have piled up since 2017, after Brexit and the Covid-19 pandemic combined to delay legal changes needed to export them to the mainland for gas removal and recycling.

The BBC was told that at least two truck-loads a week would now be sent to the UK.

“Once the stockpile has been exported, regular shipments will continue to take place to continue to manage incoming items,” explained Sarah Robinson, Guernsey Waste operations manager.

BBC

Kittens found at Ipswich HWRC

Four kittens were found among the recycling at Sackers Scrap Metal and Waste in Ipswich.

The non-recyclable items were found abandoned inside a litter bin by staff, who immediately called Ipswich Cats Protection.

“We believe that the kittens must have come in a skip because if they’d gone into a wheelie bin, they would have been tipped and crushed,” Helen Crapnell, PR manager at Sackers told the Ipswich Star.

“Two of the kittens have been named after the people who found them. They’re now called Toby and Robin.”

Ipswich Star

Veolia crowns its Coronation clean up

Around 100 Veolia operatives and 30 vehicles were involved in cleaning up Westminster before and after the Coronation of King Charles III.

More than 39 tonnes of additional recycling and refuse were collected from the event area. Veolia managed this including multiple road closures and much more restricted collection times.

Press release

Suez’s UK acquisition boosts results

The Suez Group has posted what it said were ‘solid’ financial results for 2022, with €6.8bn revenue and an EBITDA of €1.1bn.

The results included revenue through the acquisition of Suez Recycling and Recovery UK on 5 December 2022 for €1,959.2m.

The revenue contribution from the UK equated to €78.3m, with a net profit of £4.9m.

Suez Group said the acquisition strengthened its “expertise in new treatment methods”, including reuse, recycling, creation of alternative fuels and energy-from-waste.

Press release

Hair firm joins TerraCycle service

Hair care firm Living Proof has partnered with TerraCycle to recycle its plastic packaging, diverting this from landfill.

Consumers are invited to recycle their empty Living Proof packaging by visiting its website to download a free shipping label, package the empty hair care packaging and send it to TerraCycle to be made into new products. Consumers can earn points towards donations for deserving causes.

Julien Tremblin, general manager of TerraCycle Europe said: “Living Proof were among the first luxury hair care brands to offer a consumer-facing recycling process for their products when we first launched the programmes in the US and Canada. Rolling out a similar programme to the UK demonstrates their commitment to creating a convenient and truly sustainable end-of-life for their packaging.”

Press release

EU to ban lead in PVC

VinylPlus, the European PVC industry’s commitment to sustainable development, has welcomed a European Commission regulation restricting lead in PVC.

It said the regulation supported the industry’s efforts to substitute lead stabilisers in PVC production and would restrict the import of lead-containing PVC products from third countries where lead is still used.

Brigitte Dero, VinylPlus managing director, said: “The restriction on lead in PVC represents a significant step in enabling the PVC industry to meet its ambitious recycling targets of one million tonnes per year of recycled PVC used in new products by 2030 in a safe way for human health and the environment.”

Press release

Recyclus gains consent for lithium-ion plant

Battery recycling firm Recyclus Group has received final clearance from the Environment Agency for its lithium-ion battery recycling plant in Wolverhampton. It has also been awarded approved battery treatment operator status by the EA, allowing it to start work once fire systems are installed.

The EA permit allows Recyclus a daily storage limit of some 100 tonnes and to process up to 22,000 tonnes of li-ion batteries a year.

Robin Brundle, chairman of Technology Minerals, which owns Recyclus, said: “Given the global shift towards electrification and the growing demand for li-ion batteries, we believe we have a compelling first mover advantage in this burgeoning market.”

Press release

Book charity to support circular economy

Online used books seller World of Books Group has launched the Wob Foundation, a charity that will support literacy and the circular economy.

It will seek donations from the group’s customers and employees, and for charities which support the circular economy, organisers say the Wob Foundation will focus on donations to tangible and measurable programmes that evidently improve the environment.

The Bookseller

Covent Garden CANvas marks Earth Day

An installation made from 700 drinks cans was revealed in Covent Garden by the not-for-profit recycling programme Every Can Counts.

Artist Jimmy C created the piece to raise awareness about the recyclability of aluminium, with the organisation noting that each can used could be back on sale within 60 days.

“Earth Day is all about encouraging worldwide action to help benefit the environment and to preserve the planet, and recycling empty drink cans is something we can all easily do,” said Chris Latham-Warde, programme manager for Every Can Counts.

The installation, which has subsequently been updated to celebrate King Charles’ coronation is located on Covent Gardens’ North Piazza and will be on display until 25 April.

Press release

DS Smith and E.ON open heat and power plant in Kent

Packaging company DS Smith and energy provider E.ON have unveiled a combined heat and power (CHP) plant at the former’s Kemsley paper mill in Kent.

The plant, which was started in 2019, was financed, built and will be operated by E.ON. DS Smith says it will reduce CO2 emissions by 36,000 tonnes a year, generating 73MW to power the mill’s paper manufacturing.

“We’re excited about the sustainability and operational benefits this state-of-the-art plant brings to our flagship mill in Kemsley,” said Niels Flierman, head of paper and recycling at DS Smith.

“Leading the way in reducing the impact paper making has on our environment is something we are passionate about – it’s important to us, our customers and the communities in which we operate.”

The plant also uses E.ON’s IG Energy system, which utilises artificial intelligence to optimise power supply.

Press release

NWLA launches electricals drop off point

The North London Waste Authority have teamed up with the Camden Fixing Factory to launch a designated drop-off point for unwanted electrical devices in need of repair.

Locals can drop off devices at the Regis Road Reuse and Recycling Centre, where volunteers from the Fixing Factory will refurbish them to be sold on or donated to households in need.

“This new service makes it easier than ever for people to get rid of their unwanted electronics responsibly, making disposal the absolute last resort,” said councillor Clyde Noakes.

Those items that cannot be repaired will be used for volunteer training purposes.

Press release

J&B installs channel baler at Hartlepool MRF

J&B Recycling has announced the completion of a new baler, from Lyndex Recycling Systems, at its material recycling facility in Hartlepool.

The baler forms part of the company’s plans to optimise operations and increase capacity to handle larger volumes of recycling, says J&B, whose Hartlepool MRF won facility of the year at the 2022 National Recycling Awards.

“This new channel baler from Lyndex Recycling Systems represents a significant enhancement to our material recycling capabilities,” said Vikki Jackson-Smith, managing director of J&B Recycling.

Press release

Food recycling explained to 3.000 people

Lambeth Council is expanding its food waste collection services to 12 council housing estates with the aim of all estates being included by 2025. 

The council has partnered with Keep Britain Tidy and 3,000 properties have been visited to explain the system to residents.

Lambeth said the outreach team reached the vast majority of households and discussions focused on both the environmental benefits of disposing of food waste and how it can save money, including by making overall recycling more effective.

Press release

HWRC visits linked to car use

Nearly half of north Londoners believe distance or not having access to a car is a barrier to visiting their local reuse and recycling centre.

That finding has come from a YouGov survey for North London Waste Authority which also found more than two-thirds of respondents were unaware there are eight sites available. Most users visited once or twice a year to dispose of items by car.

Posters have been put up at bus stops across north London directing residents to their closest centre and highlighting the small items which can easily be recycled there.

Press release

Two fires hit Devon sites

Devon & Somerset Fire & Rescue Service has dealt with blazes at two recycling centres. It said crews attended a large incident at the recycling centre in Marsh Barton, Exeter and residents were advised to close windows and stay inside.

Crews were also called to a large rubbish fire at the recycling centre in Alphington, where four compressed air foam jets were deployed with local hydrants being used for water. The cause of the fire was deemed as accidental ignition. 

Press release

Public anger over bank holiday collections

Dumfries & Galloway council is to hold a special meeting after a public outcry over the lack of bank holiday bin collections, the BBC has reported.

There were also no collections on 1 May although there will be on the coronation bank holiday weekend.

More than 900 comments were made to the council Facebook about the lack of collections as some bins due for collection on the 1 May bank holiday would not be emptied until the end of the month.

BBC