Agency approves Poole firm's MBT plan
The Environment Agency has approved a LATS monitoring plan quantifying the amount of residual “black bag” biodegradable waste that the firm's Poole plant in Dorset diverts from landfill on behalf of local authority clients, such as Bournemouth council. This means that New Earth can prove its assessment techniques are robust, and councils can use the results to determine the plant's potential performance under the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme – which requires councils to divert biodegradable waste form landfill.
Peter Gillatt, New Earth Solutions managing director, said: “The report is crucial in the development of an approved programme to provide Bournemouth borough council with a formalised measure of the biostabilisation and diversion process underway. The results of the monitoring programme will enable the local authority to determine the extent to which it is achieving landfill diversion targets with a fully accountable and approved strategy in place to report exactly what it being achieved.”
Furniture re-use partnership formed in London
London-based furniture company Sweetpea & Willow has teamed up with the Furniture Re-use Network to stop furniture being chucked out by its customers being sent to landfill.
In the past, many customers who bought the firm's French style furniture were concerned about sending their old furniture to the local landfill site. But now, customers can click on the FRN logo on the Sweetpea & Willow website where they can select from a list of recommended furniture re-use charities in the area, who will distribute the furniture to people in need.
Paul Smith, FRN chief executive, said: “This demonstrates a real commitment from Sweetpea & Willow to improve the impact of their business activity on the environment and deliver a quality service to their clients.”
Veolia recycling staff “wear it pink”
On Friday October 26, employees working at Veolia Environmental's Beighton facility dressed up to support the Breast Cancer Campaign – the only charity that specialises in funding independent breast cancer research throughout the UK. The MRF sorts and grades paper and card collected from blue bins in Sheffield.
Angela Priestly, who organised the “wear it pink” fundraiser at Veolia said: “Veolia are happy to give there support to raising awareness of breast cancer and providing funds for research. It's great that we support the campaign every year and all the money raised will go towards researching the cure for breast cancer.”
Safety standard achieved by Sims
Metal recycling firm Sims Recycling Solution has become one of the first organisations in the UK to achieve a new British standard for Operational Health and Safety – BS 180001:2007.
The accreditation shows that the company has been able to control its occupational health and safety risks through procedures to ensure a safe working environment for its employees. This has been achieved across all Sims Recycling Solutions facilities in the UK, including its fridge plant in Newport which handles in excess of 750,000 fridges a year, its WEEE facility in Stalybridge.
Graham Davy, chief executive of Sims Recycling Solutions, said: “This is fantastic news for Sims. The health and safety of our workforce is paramount in the way we operate and we have a proud record. The UK has the most stringent health and safety rules of any country and to be one of the first in the world to earn the accreditation is a reflection of the pioneering way in which Sims operates.”
Home composting takes off in Kingston
Over the last few years, Kingston council has given free compost bins to 3,512 households. A recent survey of the recipients revealed that 82% of those who had received bins were producing successful compost, with 65% using their bins on a daily basis.
Councillor Liz Shard, Kingston's executive member for the environment and sustainability, said: “I am absolutely delighted that so many residents who received a compost bin from the council are making good use of it. This is encouraging feedback and means we will certainly be running more compost bin giveaways in the near future.”
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