Arun hits record recycling rate
The council's contractor Verdant, which took over waste and recycling collections in 2003 (see letsrecycle.com story), has reported that last month the council recycled an average of 40% of its waste which is up from 13% in 2002/03. This has been largely attributed to strong green waste tonnages and now puts Arun among the top 25% of district and borough councils in the country.
Councillor Paul Wotherspoon, Arun council's cabinet member for the environment, said: “The dramatic increase in our recycling rate reflects the success of the Arun-Verdant partnership and the community's commitment to the recycling cause. Now we will continue to add more materials that residents can recycle, as well as new ways of recycling, so we can push Arun's recycling rate even higher.”
Reuse guide for construction industry
A new guide explaining the opportunities for builders to reclaim and reuse construction and demolition waste has been published by environmental charity BioRegional Reclaimed.
Funded by Defra's Business Reuse Fund, the “Reclamation led approach to demolition” document lays out 14 case studies setting out the cost savings and carbon benefits of prioritising material reuse and is designed to help businesses reduce waste while saving money. The publication will be backed up by two construction waste reuse training days organised by BioRegional Reclaimed and consultants WasteWISE on September 10 in South London and on September 11 in Cambridge.
Jonathan Essex, of Surrey-based BioRegional Reclaimed, said: “Reuse is almost always financially and environmentally better than recycling or disposal. Waste reduction and local re-use carry significant benefits and form part of the strategy for reducing the carbon footprint for construction.”
Corus boosts steel recycling in Exeter
The equipment, made by Whitham Mills, is intended to ensure that the 200 tonnes of steel packaging a year dealt with by Exeter will be prepared to the right specifications to be recycled by Corus, after being bulked up in Newport.
Robert Jenkins, recycling projects manager at Corus Steel Packaging Recycling, said: “Steel packaging is one of the easiest materials to recycle, as it can be recycled time and time again, so separating it from other waste materials is very important.”
SME recycling service in Stockport
A cardboard and paper recycling service for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) has been launched on an industrial estate in Stockport by Manchester-based recycling firm, Houghton's Waste Paper, in partnership with consultants Axion Recycling.
Supported by the Waste and Resources Action Programme's SME Recycling Programme, the scheme claims to provide a convenient and cost effective alternative to landfill for 26 companies participating. Most of the businesses which have already started say they intend to continue.
Jane Gardner, project co-ordinator of Axion Recycling, said: “We are really pleased that our service has had such a positive response from SMEs in the area who told us they wanted to recycle more but previously lacked the appropriate infrastructure to do it.”
Recycling webcam success in Bromley
According to the council, hundreds of residents are logging onto the website page every day for up-to-the-second pictures – with “amazing” feedback. The webcam, which was launched in June, is believed to be the first of its kind in London.
Councillor Colin Smith, Bromley's executive member for environment and leisure, said: “Our Waldo Road webcam is going from strength to strength, with an average of over 150 unique user sessions a day since it was launched. We're delighted at its success.”
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