Manchester launches campaign to combat bin fires
The campaign will encourage residents to bring in their bins as soon as possible after they've been emptied by highlighting the problems that can occur when bins are left out, including them being set on fire, causing obstructions on pavements, making the streets look untidy and potentially being used to transport stolen goods.
To boost awareness it is leaving stickers on bins in six of the city's wards, as well as distributing leaflets, after a similar scheme last May and June reduced the number of bin fires by 35% compared to a year earlier. Dave Kirkham, deputy borough commander for the Fire Service, said: “Too many times we have seen incidents where fires started in bins and rubbish have spread to homes, threatening the property, and even lives.”
Hotel renovation sees 100% recycling rate for construction waste
Cardy Construction, working with waste management company Hippowaste and construction industry supplier Tarmac Topblock, achieved the feat in its planned renovations for Elite Hotels by using Tarmac's ‘take back scheme'. The company disposed of broken, damaged and unused concrete blocks in specially-provided Hippobags, which were then returned to recycling plants to be crushed into new blocks.
James Bennett, chief executive of Hippowaste, said; “Cardy Construction is an excellent example of a company taking its responsibilities towards waste management seriously. This is especially key in the construction industry at present with the implementation of Site Waste Management Plan legislation.”
Wiltshire puts recycling message to film
Wiltshire county council, in conjunction with Wiltshire Wildlife Trust and Marlborough-based waste and recycling company Hills Waste Solutions Ltd, has produced a series of films to promote recycling in the county.
The eight films (available at www.recycleforwiltshire.com/video.html), cover household recycling centres and kerbside black box collections as well as looking at what happens to materials once collected, and were produced by a professional production team. They include interviews with residents, employees working for waste services in the county, Hills Waste's workers and the companies which deal with much of the material sent for recycling.
Catherine Dixon, waste projects officer at Wiltshire county council, said: “People are always interested in what happens to the things they send for recycling and these films give them the answers.”
Illegal waste site fined £25,000
Andrew Riddel, director of A Riddel and Sons, bought the land in Firsby, near Spillsby, in February 2007 and by April 2007 activities there had come to the attention of the Environment Agency (EA). Illegal operations at the site carried on between April and October last year despite several visits by EA officers, until officers found the surface of the land smothered with hardcore and witnessed a skip lorry tipping its contents onto the ground to avoid paying for their disposal at a licensed site.
After the successful hearing at Skegness Magistrates Court, Environment Agency officer Christian Martin said: “The Environment Agency regards the illegal disposal of waste as a serious issue which will not be tolerated. Lawful waste management is essential to minimise its effect on the environment. This case is a clear example of environmental laws being blatantly ignored.”
Picture:
Camden to take part in waste challenge
Camden council is calling for participants to take part in a waste challenge that is being launched across North London in October.
The ‘Watch Your Waste Challenge' will take place from October 4-12 throughout the North London Waste Authority's (NWLA) seven boroughs, with participants from schools, community groups and local residents being encouraged to weigh their rubbish from a normal week, follow tips and advice on how to reduce it and then record the reduction at the end of the seven days. The challenge forms parts of the NLWA's first 'Watch Your Waste Week 2008', an initiative which aims to get people thinking about the waste they generate and promote ways in which it can be reduced.
Councillor Mike Greene, Camden's executive member for the environment, said: “Supporting this waste reduction initiative demonstrates Camden council's continued commitment to creating a more sustainable environment for future generations.”
Register for free to comment