News in Brief

REPIC unveils new-look website

This latest move aims to enhance the support services the company offers to collectors of WEEE, and brings together in one place details about all of the compliance solutions that Repic can offer, including WEEE, batteries and packaging.

Philip Morton, CEO of Repic, comments: Our aim when redesigning the new website was to create a resource that is as helpful as possible to those involved in the industry. The UK WEEE system is still very much in development, while legislation is being reviewed and adapted to perfect the systems and processes we have put in place. From speaking to many of our local authority and waste management partners, we felt it would be beneficial to create a website which not only contained background to the compliance legislation, but that also served as a resource which professionals could use to digest the latest industry news.

ESE is new name for OTTO UK

One year on from the sale of its parent company, OTTO Waste Solutions, temporary waste storage systems firm OTTO Waste Solutions has a new corporate identity and a new name. The changes are a result of the groups sale to Stirling Square Capital Partners in 2010. Stirling Square acquired ESEH Group, a European leader in environmental products and services, from the OTTO Group, which now focuses on the Americas and Asia.

OTTO Waste Solutions becomes ESE Ltd and will continue to provide a broad range of sustainable products and services to support its customers in optimising waste management and achieving their sustainability targets. Alternative concepts for managing residual waste and recycling solutions will continue to be provided and further developed.

What has not changed, says Derek Monk managing director of ESE Ltd, is our extensive UK market knowledge and understanding, our experience in important sectors such as local government and our commitment to, partnership working, customer service and support and our ability to deliver our promises.

European Battery post for G&Ps Michael Green

Michael Green, managing director of G & P Batteries, has been elected chairman of the 2011 Board of the European Battery Recycling Association (EBRA).

Board members are elected each year from EBRAs full members, with each place on the Board being offered to individuals who demonstrate commitment to driving the Associations objectives and policies rather than for the companies they represent.

Future EBRA work includes collating yearly statistics relating to recycling tonnages in Europe, creating and maintaining a knowledge base to share best practice, representing members interests to the EU on the Recycling Efficiency targets and organising workshops.

Mr Green said: The new Board comprises a number of influential players in the battery recycling industry and we are all committed to driving forward a number of projects which will create even higher standards of excellence. The handling, storage and recycling of waste batteries presents a wide range of health, safety and environmental issues and by sharing best practice we can enhance the reputation of our industry across Europe.”

Smurfit Kappa opts for Lyndex baler

Paper and cardboard recycler Smurfit Kappa Recycling has invested 650,000 in a new Lyndex BiMax 145 baler for its Birmingham depot.

At Smurfit Kappa Recycling we are committed to sustainable development as we strive to enhance our customer service and environmental performance. The investment in this new baler is further evidence of this commitment, said Gary Grant, UK operations director. The powerful Lyndex baler will enable the company to produce up to 26 high density bales per hour.

A spokesman for Lyndex said that the baler, which features an automatic shut off for greater operational safety, will help to produce efficiency gains in handling, storage and transportation of material to the companys paper mills. It compacts material in its 2000 mm length press box to less than 300 mm to ensure a high density bale.

The machines shear presses allow the processing of long material such as carpet tubes with no interruption to production times. Triangular shaped blades on the moving platen give a smooth cutting action and reduce the force required to shear the material.

Red Bull first to back Every Can Counts

Every Can Counts has announced that energy drink brand leader Red Bull has become a funding partner of the programme. Red Bull is the first drinks brand to become actively involved – until now Every Can Counts has been developed and funded by the European and UK beverage can makers and the aluminium and steel packaging reprocessors.

Red Bull and Every Can Counts said they would work together to explore new ways of encouraging consumers to recycle drinks cans. This will include actively encouraging recycling at Red Bulls own events.

To say that we are excited about the prospect of working with Red Bull is an understatement, said Rick Hindley executive director of Alupro which runs Every Can Counts.Red Bull have a reputation for leading from the front, being creative and innovative in their approach to everything from events to retail, so we are really looking forward to working with their teams to give an edge to our promotion of recycling in workplaces, universities and on the go.

Red Bull UK managing director Nigel Trood added: Joining Every Can Counts gives us the opportunity to directly support and encourage drinks can recycling among our consumers and a wider audience. We hope to develop an exciting, dynamic relationship with the programme and its users.