AO Recycling celebrates recycling milestone
AO Recycling is celebrating recycling over five million household appliances at its Telford plant since it opened in 2017.
The Telford-based plant is best known for responsibly disposing of fridges with its 80-tonne fridge crunching machine, Bertha, which “safely collects any harmful gases released”.
A range of other appliances are also taken care of at the plant. As many as possible are refurbished to be sold on via trade and outlet shops, with over 200,000 given a new life so far.
Robert Sant, managing director of AO Recycling, said: “We’re so pleased to have saved a huge five million appliances from potentially being fly-tipped.
“AO Recycling’s recent survey revealed uncertainty among Brits about how to dispose of large appliances. A third admitted to having at least one washing machine they no longer use.
“Our research shows a growing desire for a simple collection service for our unwanted appliances, and we hope to continue recycling as many appliances as possible via our recycling services,” Sant added.
Agency brings out ‘plastics game’ for the Winter Olympics
The traditional board game of snakes and ladders has been given “a digital makeover” by the Environment Agency for the 2022 Winter Olympics (4-20 February).
The game features messages to prevent plastic pollution delivered through a variety of physical activities, and can be downloaded from the ‘Bound to Beijing’ pages of the ‘Get Set’ website.
After landing on a square, players can move up or down scarves and ski-lifts while learning about positive and negative behaviours impacting the planet – like using sustainable soap bars or reusable bottles instead of single-use plastic products.
Environment Agency project lead Kelly Haynes said: “This fun game teaches young people about the waste hierarchy and the small steps they can take each day to change behaviours, influence others, and help nip plastic pollution in the bud.”
“The initiative supports the Environment Agency’s ambition to promote better environmental practices to reduce plastic waste, helping to achieve the goals outlined in its EA2025 five-year plan to create better place for people, wildlife and the environment, and the government’s 25 Year Environment Plan”.
Shropshire recycling firm fined after employee injury
PG Skips Limited of Wem, Shrewsbury, has been fined £17,500 after a Health and Safety Executive investigation showed lack of risk assessment or safe system of work in place for clearing blockages.
An 18-year-old employee was injured when he fell through a chute, approximately four metres above a concrete yard, whilst clearing a blockage, HSE reported.
Another employee, who was waiting in a telescopic handler to collect the waste metal in the machine bucket, saw him fall and moved the machine to try and catch him. The employee was hit by a bucket and sustained injuries including several broken bones.
HSE inspector Sarah Baldwin-Jones said: “This significant injury to an 18-year-old employee in his first employment could have been easily prevented. The remedial action taken to prevent future blockages implemented after the incident had no cost implication for the company. Employers should make sure they properly assess and apply effective control measures to minimise risks from clearing blockages.”
The incident happened on 9 October 2017 and was heard by Shrewsbury Crown Court.
FPA warns sector ‘not ready’ for Plastics Tax
The FPA (Foodservice Packaging Association) has warned that the sector is not ready for the Plastics Tax, due come into effect on 1 April.
The Association conducted a service of its members which showed almost 80% of those selling plastic packaging and products are “not prepared for the tax”.
According to the FPA, just 38% agree with the tax’s intention to encourage recycled content, and 84% expressed concern that some businesses will avoid paying.
Executive director Martin Kersh said: “HMRC should be concerned that if an informed group of businesses is unprepared, where does that leave the many businesses we suspect may not be aware of the tax or, if aware, have given no thought to setting up procedures to manage the tax?
“We intend asking HMRC to step up the provision of information and ensure greater clarity in the guidance. We know that new taxes take time to bed in, however, there is a feeling among members that the good guys will spend the money and time to comply but there are too many businesses outside of our immediate sector who might not,” he added.
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