Merseyside boosts recycling rate by 7%
The annual Best Value Plan 2008 produced by the authority shows that the area's recycling and composting rate reached 29.3% in 2007-08, compared to 22.5% the year before, and the region also sent 12% less waste to landfill over the same period, falling from 600,000 tonnes to 530,000 tonnes.
Carl Beer, the director of the MWDA, said: “Not long ago we were struggling to reach double figures in terms of the percentage of waste we recycle. This big year-on-year increase just shows the progress we're making, and the real potential for much more to come.”
New Earth Solutions appoints operations director
The Dorset firm, which was awarded a 20-year contract by Bristol city council in March 2008 to build a new in-vessel composting facility (see letsrecycle.com story), has appointed Colin Brown – formerly divisional director at Jacob's Waste Management Consultancy – to the role, which will also see him involved in projects for Kent county council and Leicestershire county council.
Commenting on Mr Brown's appointment, New Earth Solutions' managing director, Peter Gillatt, said: “I am delighted to be welcoming Colin to the team. He has extremely solid credentials, a wealth of experience, heaps of enthusiasm, and a visible commitment to the development of sustainable waste management technologies.”
Glasgow reuse project helps drug addicts
The Maxie Richards Foundation is running a furniture reuse project in conjunction with its rehab programme, operating a factory that repairs goods for resale and as a result both providing training opportunities in trades such as carpentry and diverting waste from landfill. The repaired goods are then sold on through three retail outlets run by the charity in the Scottish city.
Pat Clark, factory manager for the Maxie Richards Foundation, said: “Our work to save old furniture destined for the skip provides us with a tool to help save the lives of young people who would otherwise be consigned to society's scrap-heap. Recycling really does help us save these people's lives, by providing them with training to start again in society and providing a much-needed income to keep the charity in operation.”
Waste Recycling Group backs eco-build project
The fund, which awards money to projects around the UK, made the donation to pay for the costs of building a community hall for the social enterprise, which aims to combine social, environmental and economic sustainability.
Peter Cox, managing director of WREN, said: “We're very excited to be involved with such a challenging project and the first of its kind. The project has gained so much support from neighbouring communities, partnerships, associations and the government and the fact that full planning permission was granted in a woodland is demonstration of the support and awareness of the District Authority.”
Metal recycling firm takes delivery of fifth Mercedes truck
The firm is using the vehicle, which is a 480 horsepower, 6×2 Actros 2548LS delivered by Aberdeen dealer John R. Weir Truck and Van Ltd, to transport scrap metal between its depots across North Scotland, including its Aberdeen site, which is home to a new Italian-built Venazzi scrap shear.
John Lawrie's operations director Dave Weston says: “We bought our first Actros partly because it was available at the right price and the right time. Of course, we were also confident that we were buying a high-quality vehicle. It performed well and was soon joined by two more. We still look at the market when we buy a truck but the Actros continue to be reliable and cost-effective.”
Register for free to comment