CMA investigating Hanson’s acquisition of Mick George
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has launched an investigation into the anticipated acquisition of Mick George by Hanson Quarry Products Ltd.
The CMA is inviting comments until 17th August when it will begin phase one of its investigation.
This comes after in December 2022 Hanson said they would purchase the company for a reported £220 million (see letsrecycle.com story).
The company operates four C&D material recycling facilities, eight waste transfer stations, 11 aggregates quarries and 10 ready-mixed concrete plants.
The CMA website explains that the body “is considering whether it is or may be the case that this transaction, if carried into effect, will result in the creation of a relevant merger situation under the merger provisions of the Enterprise Act 2002 and, if so, whether the creation of that situation may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within any market or markets in the United Kingdom for goods or services.”
To assist it with this assessment, the CMA has invited comments on the transaction from any interested party.
Stoke on Trent launches I.D.I.O.T campaign
The city of Stoke on Trent has launched its I.D.I.O.T (Illegal dumping in our towns) campaign to combat illegal dumping of waste in the region.
The council made the commitment to tackle the issue “head-on”, as the city pledged to clear a thousand grot spots within 100 days, demonstrating a zero-tolerance stance against this crime.
This comes after an additional £260,000 investment has been announced, in conjunction with funding from the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. This financial boost will go towards expanding the environmental cleaning response team.
Fire awareness campaign launched by in Manchester
Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service (GMFRS) and Recycle for Greater Manchester (R4GM) teamed up to launch the ‘Be Battery Aware’ campaign, aimed at raising awareness about the fire risks associated with improper disposal of batteries in household bins.
The campaign aims to educate residents across Greater Manchester on the safe and proper methods of disposing of batteries and battery-containing items, such as electric toothbrushes, shavers, games consoles, and vapes.
Battery-related fires had been on the rise in the region, partly attributed to the growing popularity of disposable vapes and e-cigarettes.
During the period from April 1 to June 30, 2023, GMCA’s waste management contractor, Suez, reported a total of 37 fire-related incidents solely due to lithium batteries.
Area manager Billy Fenwick, GMFRS’ head of prevention, said: “We’re launching this campaign following a number of battery-related fires in Greater Manchester. It is vitally important that we dispose of batteries, and items containing batteries like vapes, correctly because the consequences can be devastating if we don’t.
“By working with Recycle for Greater Manchester, we hope to alert people of all ages to the dangers of improper disposal and inform them of where they can discard their batteries safely. Batteries can be found in a lot of our everyday items so please follow our advice and help us reduce the number of battery-related fires in our city-region.”
DS Smith and Happy sushi create ‘entirely recyclable’ sushi tray
DS Smith has joined forces with sushi specialist Eat Happy to create an “entirely recyclable and environmentally friendly alternative” for disposable plastic sushi trays.
The packaging solution features trays and lids made from natural and renewable corrugated cardboard, ensuring that the materials used are “both sustainable and recyclable”. Not only are these trays designed to be water and grease repellent, but they also provide excellent protection and preservation for the sushi products they hold.
Florian Bell, chief executive of Eat Happy Group, said: “We spent a long time working on a new, more sustainable packaging solution that meets the stringent requirements for our products. We’re delighted that, with DS Smith’s help, we can now finally launch packaging that does just that. The new innovative packaging solution will allow us to meet our retail partners’ and customers’ increasing demand for more environmentally friendly packaging. But it also means we as a company can help protect the climate and the environment.”
Volker Quaas, head of design and innovation for Germany and Switzerland at DS Smith, added: “The fresh food segment is one of the future growth markets that always presents us with exciting tasks. The biggest challenge for us is that freshly prepared sushi remains in direct contact with the packaging during the refrigeration process at counter level.
“It’s also vital that the product can be seen and is visible via a window within the tray and these careful design elements need to fit fully with materials that work within the circular economy.”
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