Mayor appoints environment advisor

Mayor of London Boris Johnson has appointed a former director for Transport for London, Isabel Dedring, as his new environment advisor.

Currently the director of the policy unit at TFL, Ms Dedring has experience developing and delivering strategies on issues ranging from climate change to sustainable travel planning and will take over a brief ranging from carbon reduction to cleaning up London's green spaces. It is expected that she will take less of a lead over waste compared to her predecessor and advisor to former mayor Ken Livingstone, John Duffy, who helped Mr Livingstone campaign for a London-wide waste authority, as the role will be partly filled by the new London Waste and Recycling Board.

Ms Dedring said: "I am thrilled to be taking on this new role in the Mayor's team. I believe London can and must play a leading role in taking real steps to improve the environment. We can make our environment more pleasant, save money on energy bills, create new jobs and I am determined to ensure we deliver on this agenda."

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New signage system for 20 Verdant trucks

The KWIK Zip signs allow councils and waste management firms to use refuse trucks as billboards

A new KWIK Zip signage system has been unveiled for Verdant recycling and refuse trucks as part of its Stratford-on-Avon district council contract.

Installed by vehicle branding and marketing specialists EPIC Media, the KWIK Zip system has been introduced to 20 Verdant trucks and has been used on over 100 refuse and recycling vehicles nationwide since it launched in 2006. The KWIK Zip fits trucks with an alloy display frame, which councils can use to carry promotional messages. The signs are designed to be changed quickly and easily, and turn RCVs into mobile billboards.

Kevin Murton, managing director of EPIC Media, said: "Traditionally the cost of alloy panels and sign-writing could run to £3,000 or more, while removing old sign-writing and then applying new graphics can cost upwards of £1,500 and take a vehicle off the road for days."

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Severnside purchases paper recycling firm

Cardiff-based paper recycling specialist Severnside has increased its foothold in the Northwest with the purchase of Vale Paper Limited.

Purchasing the Wigan-based paper recycling firm will allow Severnside to increase its tonnage and it plans to merge Vale Paper it with its existing depot in Bolton due to its location, transferring the staff as well. The purchase is said to be in-keeping with Severnside's long-term strategy and the Welsh company has said it will continue to serve Vale Paper's existing customers.

Peter McGuinness, managing director at Severnside, said: "This acquisition continues to strengthen Severnside's position and enables us to continue to achieve growth in such a competitive market. Severnside will continue to grow organically together with selective acquisitions."

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LDA commissions review of waste arisings

Turner & Townsend will review and provide understanding for the LDA in dealing with construction waste arisings in London

The London Development Agency has commissioned an international construction and management consultant to review and provide greater understanding of commercial and industrial waste in the capital.

Leeds-based Turner & Townsend will be charged with helping the LDA identify what additional waste processing infrastructure is needed to manage London's commercial and industrial waste, which makes up roughly one third of all the 18 million tonnes of waste created annually in the capital. Currently 44% of commercial and industrial waste is recycled but it is believed up to 75% could be treated.

Rajiv Sudan, director of Turner & Townsend, said: "We are delighted that the LDA has entrusted us, together with our partners Peter Brett Associates, with this work that will help guide London's waste authorities and businesses to reduce the amount of commercial & industrial waste being sent to landfill and manage this waste in a more sustainable manner."

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Cambridgeshire and Peterborough seek views

Cambridge county council and Peterborough city council have launched a six week consultation on their joint mineral and waste plan.

From yesterday (September 8), residents are being invited to have their say on proposals to help Cambridgeshire and Peterborough meet climate change and housing challenges, as well as outlining the location of future waste management facilities and mineral extraction sites. The plan - which will not be completed until 2010 - also has a number of key principles including making minerals available for construction and housing, as well as encouraging recycling through modern and convenient recycling centres.

Councillor Sir Peter Brown, Cambridgeshire county council's lead member for environment and climate change, said: "This plan is a positive response to the challenges of climate change and housing growth and in our efforts to protect our environment we have listened and acted upon local concerns. Our vision is to reduce dependency on landfill by providing state-of-the-art recycling facilities across the county, and safeguarding the materials we need to manage growth."