News in brief

4R Recycling to handle Wakefield PFI digestate

The contract will see 4R, part of the 4R Group Ltd, handle up to 40,000 tonnes of digestate annually when the facility becomes operational, which is expected to be in mid-2015. The digestate will be transported by 4R and used in land restoration across Wakefield and throughout the former Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire coalfields.

Shanks, which signed a 750 million contract with Wakefield council earlier this month, proposes to build a residual waste treatment facility in South Kirkby, West Yorkshire, comprising a materials recycling facility, autoclave, anaerobic digestion and composting plant. The facility will process up to 230,000 tonnes of residual waste from homes in Wakefield per year and the contract is being part funded by the UK Green Investment Bank (see letsrecycle.com story).

Mike Holt, managing director at 4R, said: We are delighted to be supporting Shanks in this important project to divert waste away from landfill and to find alternative uses for materials that would otherwise just be considered waste. Our scientists continually strive to find new and innovative solutions for recycling such materials and we firmly believe that these non-source segregated, fully treated materials could be made acceptable for recycling to agricultural land, in the same way as biosolids are currently recycled and controlled.

Westminster recycles 37 tonnes of Christmas trees

Westminster city council has announced that 37 tonnes of Christmas trees were recycled in the city during the 2012 festive season.

The councils waste collection teams handled Christmas trees from 19 collection points and shredded them into chipping to be used as compost.

This included the 21 metre-tall Christmas tree stationed on Trafalgar Square, which was 118 years old when it was recycled by the council on January 7.

Westminster city councillor, Ed Argar, said: Recycling is important in Westminster and we are pleased that residents and businesses have used this service extensively again this year.

Bulk Handling Systems acquires Dutch recycling firm

Oregon-based recycling equipment firm Bulk Handling Systems (BHS) has acquired Amsterdam-based sorting and separation manufacturer Nihot Recycling Technology BV.

Nihots air separation technologies are used to sort a variety of material, including municipal solid waste (MSW), fuel generated from waste (RDF and SRF), construction and demolition waste, and biomass.

BHS chief executive, Steve Miller, said: We are very excited to welcome Nihot to the BHS family of companies. Having partnered with Nihot for a number of years, I have great respect for the companys people and product quality. They are the best at what they do, and our new relationship will strengthen the integrated solutions that BHS offers its customers.

Nihot director, Cees Duijn, said: BHS and Nihot are similar in that both companies manufacture equipment to the highest levels of quality. Combining our technology, product offerings, global resources and expertise will enhance every function of our business. BHS has positioned itself as the premier systems provider; Nihot is excited to be joining this team and is looking forward to a prosperous partnership.”

Success for recycling bins at Barbican arts centre

The Barbican Arts Centre in London has cited its bins, manufactured by Amberol, as key to winning various awards for its waste management and recycling performance.

Derbyshire-based horticultural supplier Amberol provides the 100-litre Slim Bins, which are used throughout the Barbican to enable visitors to recycle glass, plastic, paper and cans.

Zed Major, facilities manager at the Barbican, said: We take our environmental responsibilities very seriously at the Barbican and are keen to ensure that our visitors have ample opportunity to recycle their rubbish. Our Slim Bins are an important part of our sustainability campaign and were key in winning the Chairmans Cup at the Clean City Awards.

The recycling bins are used for all public areas and back of house offices for the Barbican Centre and we plan to continue using them as we expand our recycling programme.

The Barbicans other commendations include a Green Apple award for community projects and a Green Hero award, while it was also shortlisted for the Best Green Business award.

Amberol marketing manager, John Williamson, said: We are delighted to be able to help the Barbican fulfil its environmental targets. It is great to see their commitment recognised in the form of some of the industrys most prestigious awards.”

PHS Datashred acquires Phoenix Shredding

Kent-based data destruction specialist PHS Datashred has acquired Exeter-based firm Phoenix Shredding.

Anthony Pearlgood, commercial director of PHS Datashred, said: We are experiencing rising demand for our services in the data destruction sector and we continue to expand our business organically and through acquisition. We know that Phoenix Shredding is a strong business with loyal customers and a good workforce and were pleased we now have a stronghold in the Exeter area.

He added: We can now offer customers in Exeter and Devon a more flexible range of services including both on and off site shredding, recycling and waste disposal services and offer a complete national network of depots.

Lee Graham, business manager of Phoenix and son of its founder Ian Graham, said: Were proud of the business we have built up in Exeter and the surrounding areas and this deal with PHS Datashred means our staff and customers will benefit and we will benefit from the advantages of being part of a major national player in the market.