Keenan urges preparation for upcoming Welsh food waste law
Ahead of new Welsh legislation coming into effect, the head of one of the UK’s largest food waste recycling companies is urging businesses to be aware of the changes to ensure they are compliant from day one.
Keenan Recycling, which works with businesses and local authorities to deliver food waste to anaerobic digestion plants, is encouraging organisations to understand the importance of the incoming Welsh Government regulations.
Under the new laws, from 6 April 2024 it will be a legal requirement for all businesses that generate more than five kilograms of food waste to recycle it.
The bill, which is currently awaiting confirmation from the Senedd, will mean businesses that don’t adhere to the rules could be fined.
Grant Keenan, managing director of Keenan Recycling, said: “We currently collect food waste from numerous establishments of varying sizes within Wales, and through our general conversations, there seems to be a lack of awareness of just what these new rules will impact.
“It’s vital embracing these legislative changes as this is a key step towards Wales achieving the zero waste by 2050 target set by the government as well as provide a transformative opportunity for businesses to contribute to a more sustainable world.”
Veolia launches electric vehicle training scheme qualifications
Veolia and training specialist Autotech Training have implemented the first Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) approved qualifications for the company’s workshop teams to help “address the anticipated shortfall of 16,000 electric vehicle trained technicians by 2032″.
Recognised by the IMI, electric vehicle manufacturers Dennis Eagle, and the Health and Safety Executive, this new qualification will enable technicians to “work safely on all aspects of high voltage systems associated with the latest EVs”.
The program will consists of three distinct phases, encompassing IMI Levels 2 and 3 Heavy Vehicle Electric/Hybrid training, along with Dennis Eagle’s specialised eCollect training course.
Through this initiative, Veolia said technicians will acquire “the essential knowledge and skills necessary for servicing heavy electric and hybrid vehicles”. They will attain full qualification to conduct operational and repair tasks, which includes the replacement of components.
Gary Clark, Veolia’s fleet director said: “As we look to achieve a net zero fleet by 2040, we know that maintenance is vital, and to keep our electric vehicle fleet operational we need to have fully staffed workshops that can keep vehicles on the road to make full use of them.
“Keeping and expanding this skilled workforce, and offering varied career paths, has required a multi-faceted approach covering training and upskilling existing team members, and providing apprenticeships for the teams of the future.”
South Cambridgeshire moves to four day bin collection
80% of South Cambridgeshire and Cambridge bin collections are going to change from the week starting Monday 18 September.
Bin collections are going to stop on Mondays as the council makes the change to collect bins over four days rather than the previous five.
Cllr Rosy Moore, executive councillor for climate action and environment at Cambridge city council, said: “We want to make sure that we deliver services in the most efficient and sustainable way possible. Reviewing the current collections allows us to do that whilst allowing the bin crews to partake in the four-day week trial.
“These changes will mean that some residents will go through a transition period to adapt to their new collection date. All changes have been made with the aim of making the bin rounds as efficient as possible, whilst minimising disruption for residents wherever we can. Affected residents will receive direct communication of how these changes will impact them ahead of time.”
She added: “Both Cambridge and South Cambridgeshire have grown in the past five years, and we know both areas will continue to experience growth in the future, so by making these changes now we are positioning ourselves to be able to continue to deliver our waste collection service to the highest standard, in a sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective way.”
StEIN responds to North London Waste Authority survey
The campaign group called ‘Stop the Edmonton Incinerator Now (StEIN)’ has published a statement in response to North London Waste Authority’s survey on resident’s disposal priorities.
The response to a consultation on NLWA’s waste strategy earlier in the summer details StEIN’s beliefs that a circular economy in North London cannot be achieved without the authority overcoming two obstacles: The construction of a waste incinerator in Edmonton and the failure to install an advanced sorting facility to extract plastics and other recyclables.
Environmental engineer Georgia Elliott-Smith, who previously sued the government for excluding waste incineration from the UK Emissions Trading Scheme, noted: “As Mayor Sadiq Khan’s calculations show, London already has enough waste incineration capacity without an incinerator in Edmonton. It’s high time for NLWA to re-evaluate the plans for a new incinerator in view of the actual waste data.”
Ms Elliott-Smith added: “Leaving the incinerator unbuilt could allow for an extension of the Lea Valley nature reserve to provide residents with fresh air, green space, and leisure amenities—not to mention major savings for North London taxpayers if the £1.5 billion ‘Heat and Power’ project is replaced with a low-waste plan.”
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