News in Brief

INCPEN study demystifies packaging

In the report, entitled Why Products are Packaged the Way They Are, the independent advisory group explains that the packaging for the 12 most frequently purchased items is designed and chosen to protect goods, as well as to perform other functions. It is intended to answer common questions about consumer goods, such as coffee and cereals, and how packaging can prevent more waste than it generates. A copy of the 32-page report can be found at the INCPEN website here.

In its main conclusion, INCPEN states: Effective packaging plays a vital role in reducing product waste and all the related environmental damage inherent in such waste. It ensures that a new washing machine arrives undamaged; it ensures that a cucumber is edible for several days. By reducing product waste, packaging makes a substantial contribution to waste prevention and helps society move towards a low carbon economy.

Every Can Counts hits 27m drinks cans landmark

Every Can Counts, the away from home drinks can recycling programme, has revealed it helped businesses to collect 27 million used aluminium and steel beverage cans for recycling across the UK in 2010.

The initiative, which is funded by leading European and UK drinks can manufacturers and aluminium and steel packaging reprocessors, has been adopted by over 400 organisations with over 4000-branded collection points around the UK in offices, shopping centres, universities and tourist attractions put in place over the past two years. Results from participating organisations show that although the programme specifically targets drinks cans, volumes of other recyclables also increase as a result of using the range of Every Can Counts-branded resources.

Announcing the 2010 results, Diana Caldwell of Every Can Counts said: We are extremely pleased with what Every Can Counts achieved in 2010. More and more organisations are joining the programme as they understand the contribution it can make to workplace recycling and CSR [Corporate Social Responsibility] schemes.”

WM Tracey strikes deal with Glasgow Film Theatre

Recycling company The William Tracey Group is working with the Glasgow Film Theatre to convert organic waste collected from the iconic institution into renewable electricity.

The Linwood-based company intends to treat the waste at its 75,000 tonne-a-year capacity anaerobic digestion facility at Barkip, which it is developing with Scottish & Southern Energy Generation Limited. The Glasgow Film Theatre agreed the deal at the same time as the Green Film Festival kicked off and is part of the companys plans to improving its environmental record.

Bobby Gavin, organics recycling manager at William Tracey Group, said: Its important to get the message out there that, as of now, there is no such thing as waste food, instead we have a resource which can help meet Scotlands renewable energy targets. And its great to see forward thinking companies such as GFT leading the way in this new and exciting part of the recycling revolution.

Aylesford announces West Oxfordshire paper deal

Paper recycling giant Aylesford Newsprint has signed a deal to reprocess newspapers and magazines collected under West Oxfordshire district councils kerbside recycling scheme.

In a contract signed with waste management company May Gurney Environmental Services, Aylesford Newsprint has been selected as the destination for the recovered paper from the kerbside-sort collection programme recently instigated by the council.

The contract covers 47,000 households, from which approximately 5,000 tonnes of recovered newspapers, magazines and other predominantly white papers will be collected and delivered to Aylesford Newsprints mill in Kent each year.

Cllr David Harvey, cabinet member for environment, said: We are very pleased that Aylesford Newsprint is so satisfied with West Oxfordshire’s paper materials. With the kerbside sort method we are generating more income for the district which is good news for all our residents.

London Irish names Powerday as principal shirt sponsor

Rugby club London Irish and Powerday have signed a three-year deal which sees the waste management firm become the new principal sponsor of the Aviva Premiership side until the end of the 2013/14 season.

The agreement marks Powerdays first major sponsorship within professional sport and, from the 2011/12 season, will see the company name take over as main shirt sponsor with its logo also appearing on all first team training and coaching staff wear. The agreement also includes match day branding and in-stadia signage at the Madejski Stadium and the clubs Sunbury-on-Thames training ground, corporate entertainment and access to players for marketing and PR purposes. Powerday is a long-term supporter of London Irish, which includes an eight year patronage of the London Irish Academy.

Mick Crossan, chairman of Powerday, said: Powerday is delighted to be the new principal sponsor of London Irish. The Club has made huge strides forward in recent years both on and off the field and we can clearly see the many commercial benefits this sponsorship will bring.