Carluccio's to go to court over packaging
In a statement released by the Environment Agency, it said: “The Producer Responsibility Obligations 2007 require companies who have an annual turnover in excess of £2 million (£5 million in 1997 and 1998) and who handle in excess of 50 tonnes of packaging per annum to register with the Environment Agency or a compliance scheme. Registration and submission of data is required by 7 April in each subsequent year.”
The case, which has been listed on a ‘guilty or adjourn basis', is due to be heard on October 22 at 10.30am and will only proceed on that day if the defendant pleads guilty.
West Midlands MP backs BMRA cause
Mr Bailey has written to the waste and recycling minister Joan Ruddock to highlight the important role the metal recycling sector plays in both the UK economy and promoting sustainability, and to call for 'end of waste' legislation to classify scrap metal as a secondary raw material and not waste.
He said: “I am writing to Joan Ruddock, Environment Minister, to demand that when the implementation of the proposed European Waste Framework Directive considers when scrap metal ceases to be waste, this accurately classifies processed scrap metals as secondary raw materials and not waste. This will reduce unnecessary paperwork, broaden the scope for international trading and enable the industry to continue to flourish on behalf of everyone.”
SEPA appoints new deputy chairman
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has appointed Lesley Bloomer as the Agency's new Deputy Chairman.
Ms Bloomer, who has chaired the Board's Audit Committee since 2005, has been a member of SEPA's Agency Board since January 2004 and also involved in its Planning and Finance Committee since 2004. Currently working as a freelancer, Ms Bloomer previously worked as a director of performance audit with Audit Scotland and is also a board member of the Care Commission.
Chairman of SEPA David Sigsworth said: “I am delighted that Lesley has agreed to be my Deputy Chairman. She has been a very effective member of the SEPA Board and its committees for four years and her wider background with other public service organisations allows her to bring very valuable perspectives into SEPA.”
Smurfit Kappa invests in forklifts
The fleet of forklifts adopted by the paper and card recycling company are fitted with specialist clamps, which means they can handles bales of paper, card or plastic without the need for pallets. This removes the need to transfer the load to a depot first and means ready-baled material can be delivered directly into Smurfit Kappa Recycling's paper mills where it is used to make new packaging materials.
Mike Challans, business development manager, said: “Customers really like the fact that we aren't calling on their own resources – whether that's staff or equipment – to load the vehicle, so there is no interruption to their working day. Our drivers just turn up and get on with the job. It's a complete solution.”
Warwickshire residents swap unwanted items
Residents across Warwickshire have saved over 1,000 tonnes of items going to landfill each year through swapping unwanted items or “freecycling”.
The county boasts four freecycling groups, which have 13,000 members in Lemington Spa & Warwick, Nuneaton & Bedworth, Rugby and Stratford-upon-Avon., and a further 14,000 members in neighbouring Coventry and Solihull. There are now 459 freecycle groups in the UK since the service started in October 2003. Members can sign up to the free online community through www.freecycle.org and can then give away unwanted items or post items that they would like.
Becky Doré of Solihull said: “I never cease to be amazed by the variety of items re-homed using Freecycle, from mobile phone chargers to greenhouses, bathroom suites to kids toys. There is normally a grateful home to be found for your unwanted junk and often someone who can help with a small want.”
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