North Tyneside uses camera systems ‘to protect crews’
North Tyneside council is using live camera systems from Fleetclear “to counter anti-social behaviour in the district and protect crews”, the fleet technology company has said.
This comes following an assault on a council crew member, according to the council’s operations manager Steve Whitworth. Mr Whitworth explained that this meant the local authority “needed to put some safeguards in place to protect staff”.
North Tyneside was then provided with Fleetclear’s RX Lite live camera recording and vehicle tracking system. Fleetclear explained that the system is web-based so the information can be accessed online rather than using the council’s network. It added that the system is now fitted onto any new collection vehicles as standard.
Mr Whitworth said that the system allows the local authority to access real-time information about the vehicle’s location and gather data from different rounds. He then noted that the live video streaming is “great not just for the collection but also for our community protection teams who often need to respond quickly to situations and provide immediate footage to the police.”
Council chief executive helps with garden waste collection
Eastleigh borough council has announced that its chief executive James Strachan joined Bursledon’s recycling crew on their garden waste round this week.
The council explained that Mr Strachan met the team to find out more about their working day and carried out his duties under the guidance of crew members Wayne, Adam and Mike.
Commenting on the experience, Mr Strachan said: “Thanks so much to Wayne, Adam and Mike for showing me the ropes – they are a great team and told me exactly what to do!”
He then praised the team for their attention to detail and paid respects to the staff who are out “doing this vital work every day”.
Staffordshire may introduce changes to trade and bulky waste
Staffordshire county council has revealed that changes to arrangements around the disposal of trade and bulky waste at the county’s household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) may be introduced.
The local authority explained that the county council’s cabinet is recommended to approve the introduction of permits for vans or trailers at its meeting next week (17 May).
The council said that the proposed changes follow a public consultation and will include requiring Staffordshire residents with vans or trailers to apply for permits, allowing them 12 site visits per year. This will not apply to residents with cars, Staffordshire added.
Simon Tagg, Staffordshire’s cabinet member for environment, infrastructure and climate change said: “The proposed changes aim to address the issue of queuing on HWRC sites due to trade waste vehicles taking space and considerable time to offload waste.
“We have listened to what people had to say and believe permits for residents with vans or trailers and only accepting trade waste within Staffordshire will be the best to make sure households can dispose of their waste quickly and efficiently.”
Lush launches new ‘Green Hub’
Cosmetics company Lush has announced the completion of its ‘Green Hub’ in Poole, Dorset.
This comes following a £2.3 million investment to relocate and refit the company’s existing ‘Green Hub’ facility, which it has operated since 2015.
Lush said that the new building is three times the size of its previous location, with expanded capabilities for processing and ‘reinventing’ waste. As well as on solutions for materials, six teams are working together at the facility to close the loop on packaging and water waste, Lush added.
According to the company, some of the hub’s key functions include granulating plastic as part of the brand’s closed loop Bring It Back recycling scheme, treating wastewater from their manufacturing and laundry processes and repairing machinery to prevent purchasing new.
Lush then outlined that with the ‘Green Hub’ running at its full capacity, the teams will be able to process 20 tonnes of plastic per week in a closed loop using their PET and PPE plastic granulators.
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