Egbert Taylor swaps from paint to powder
A decision to swap paint for powder has changed the fortunes of Worcester-based container manufacturer Egbert Taylor, the company said as it reports a revenue increase of 36% across its refurbishment division over the last 12 months.
In December 2019, Egbert Taylor announced that it would replace wet paint processes with carbon-free powder coating across its entire business operations. Prior to the announcement, powder coating was reserved for new bins only.
The company said this week that the change has since prevented 600g of carbon per bin from being released into the atmosphere and has cut the firm’s carbon emissions attributable to its refurbishment programme by an estimated 15 tonnes from December 2019 to December 2020.
Brendan Murphy, chief executive at Egbert Taylor, said: “The initial motivation for rolling out powder coating stemmed from a desire to reduce the business’s carbon footprint and deliver a finish that was comparable to new bins, which we expected to appeal to local authorities. Whilst we knew that local authorities were being encouraged to procure more sustainably, we did not expect this aspect to be the prime reason for selecting our products. We’re delighted to have strengthened the business in parallel with producing a superior and more sustainable product.”
Commenting on the change from paint to powder, one local authority customer, Stockton-on-Tees borough council, said it welcomed the move. Marc Stephenson, service manager at the local authority, noted: “It’s really important that we reduce the council’s environmental impact wherever possible. By having access to powder coated bins, we are now able to make even more sustainable choices when it comes to our waste collection provision.”
Team members celebrate 10 years at UKCM
UK Container Maintenance (UKCM) has said that four of its team members have met major career milestones, celebrating a significant 10 years of service at the family-owned firm.
Liz Wolstenholme, Danielle McIntosh, Nick Buckley and Jorge Morriera were each presented with an award to mark their 10th anniversary at the Winsford-based company, which is the UK’s largest container repair and refurbishment specialist.
Finance and operations director Liz Wolstenholme joined UKCM as finance director and was appointed to the board in 2016 alongside Emma and Julian Elston. Nick Buckley is one of UKCM’s head of on-site welders and fabricators, and is an integral part of the company.
UKCM said that over the last 10 years, team member Jorge has excelled in his career progressing from his role as a container fitter to head of quality control. Furthermore, Danielle, who started as on-site manager, took on new roles within the company and was promoted to on-site and production manager.
Emma Elston MBE, chief executive of UKCM, congratulated the team members and said: “Staff engagement and wellbeing, alongside opportunities for personal and career development, is very close to my heart and so we place great importance on recognising the achievements of our team members and rewarding them for their success. It is inspiring to see our employees progressing in their career and I am delighted that Liz, Danielle, Nick and Jorge have been celebrated for 10 outstanding years of service.”
Tyre recovery group to look at pyrolysis in the UK
A group of industry professionals says it is driving forward tyre recovery and pyrolysis in the UK with the formation of a new working party designed to explore opportunities and benefits from the combination.
The group has 16 members and is an initiative by the Tyre Recovery Association. It says it is committed to working with all partners to add value as both an operator and manufacturer of pyrolysis technology.
“This was a great first meeting establishing the direction of the group and the agenda for future meetings,” said one of the group members, Graham White, group commercial director at Carlton Forest Group. “This new forum will allow all research, best practice, and a combined goal to be shared and significant progress to be made.”
“It is imperative that, as a nation, we capitalise on the pyrolysis technology available to us, the added value revenue streams available through disposing of waste tyres in this manner and that we achieve this together,” said Mr White. “Pyrolysis is not a new invention; however, it is relatively unknown in the UK. But with such initiatives, this emerging technology can be a real game changer in achieving ambitious targets in the tyre recovery and recycling sector.”
Rushlight award win for O.C.O Technology
Carbon capture specialist O.C.O Technology has been named winner of the Rushlight Sustainable Manufacturing & Services Award 2020-21.
Steve Greig, managing director of O.C.O Technology, said: “We are thrilled and delighted to have won a Rushlight award and I must congratulate all our team for their ongoing dedication and hard work.”
O.C.O’s entry highlighted the abilities of its Accelerated Carbonation Technology (ACT) process in treating waste materials to deliver the permanent capture of carbon dioxide.
Following an initial focus on treating and successfully transforming Air Pollution Control residues (APCr) from the energy from waste sector into the world’s first truly carbon-negative aggregate, O.C.O is now expanding on a global scale.
With a current turnover of some £16 million and operations in Suffolk, Leeds and Avonmouth, the company is broadening the use of its technology into other waste material markets worldwide, with a major concentration on the permanent capture of CO2 and supporting organisations in their drive towards cutting carbon emissions.
Printer cartridge recycler gains supplier award
A company that recycles printer cartridges is celebrating after being declared one of Tesco’s most sustainable suppliers.
Dynamic Cassette International (DCI) picked-up the Sustainability Award for Best Non-Food Supplier at Tesco’s annual supplier conference earlier in February.
DCI, which is based in Boston, Lincolnshire, was recognised for working with Tesco to cut the packaging on its own-brand remanufactured inkjet cartridges by 30%. The award also acknowledged the success of DCI’s innovative program for collecting used cartridges and refilling them so they can be used again.
The program operates in 400 stores around the country and due to its success it is set to expand to over 300 additional stores. Shoppers drop-off used cartridges at dedicated recycling points and in return, can choose to receive Clubcard points or make a charity donation.
Phil Sneath, DCI head of business development, said: “Working with Tesco has allowed us to significantly increase the number of cartridges being recycled and make a significant contribution to helping Tesco achieve its ambitious sustainability targets.”
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