News in Brief

The British Metal Recycling Association's annual meeting heard last week that the world market for scrap metal is likely to strengthen.

In 2005, UK-based metal recyclers exported about 60% of metals recovered – about 6.1 million tonnes of ferrous metal and one million tonnes of non-ferrous. Steve Mackrell of the statistics bureau ISSB suggested that 2006 would be a “record year”. Michael Oppenheimer, of Mountstar Metal Corporation said Chinese demand continued to support high export volumes and India continued to be an important market.

BMRA director-general Lindsay Millington said: “Market prospects are looking good for our industry. But buoyant markets can also bring problems. Credit insurance limits are not keeping pace with higher prices; whilst increased cash handling means our members have greater exposure to currency fluctuations.”

The floating recycling facility in Salcombe Harbour

A unique floating bring bank facility has been launched by South Hams district council to allow sailors in Salcombe Harbour to recycle their waste.

Replacing a floating skip, the waterborne recycling banks include containers for
plastic bottles, cans, paper and cardboard as well as and a bin for general waste. The first of its kind in the country, the facility was the result of an initiative that also involved the Royal Yachting Association, the British Marine Federation and the Environment Agency.

A further recycling pontoon is to be added to another part of the harbour, and visiting vessels are being given special sacks to sort out their waste onboard. South Hams executive member for a clean environment, Cllr David May, said: “We want to ensure that residents and visitors have access to our recycling scheme or facilities to recycle when, whether they are on land or water.”

Planners and developers have been given a new report showing how to reduce the environmental impact of new developments.

Launched by local authority planning leaders, the report entitled Planning Policies for Sustainable Building includes guidance on cutting waste and making the use of materials more efficient.

The work was commissioned jointly by the Local Government Association, Planning Officers Society, Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), Planning Advisory Service (PAS), Sustainability Forum and the London Borough of Enfield.

The guidance is available on the LGA website as a consultation document. A final printed version, including consultation feedback, will be available in August.

Cllr Cunningham at the re-opened household recycling centre in Torfaen

Torfaen county borough council's civic amenity site at Panteg Way, New Inn, has been revamped and renamed a “household waste recycling centre”.

Contractor Viridor Waste Management has given the centre a new layout to improve traffic flow and colourful bilingual signage to show residents where to recycle their waste. Residents can now recycle a range of materials, and will be able to recycle their batteries at the site from 2007. Traders can also use the site for a fee, with a minimum charge currently 28.50 for half a tonne of waste.

Councillor John Cunningham, executive member for operational services and performance, said: “We hope the new layout will help residents to recycle more of their household waste more easily, especially bulky items such as cardboard and wood.”

A petition has been handed in to Wandsworth councillors demanding more help for local businesses to recycle their waste.

Over 200 employees from the London borough signed the “Recycling for Business” petition submitted to the council, London Assembly members and Battersea MP Martin Lindon. The campaign, organised by public relations firm Fuel PR says there is a lack of recycling facilities available for local businesses.

Fuel PR's eco department spokesperson Joel Derbyshire said: “Without the council's support, it's very difficult for employees in Wandsworth to recycle used materials.”