News in Brief

A squadron of door-steppers is taking the recycling message direct to householders this summer in Oldham, Wigan and in Slough.

Save Waste and Prosper will be coordinating the doorstepping campaign which will visit around 64,000 households to encourage them to take part in local recycling schemes.

Dr Elaine Kerrel, director of research and consultancy at SWAP, said: “More and more councils are recognising the value of targeted, face-to-face communication with householders and are using this method to influence recycling and participation rates.

“The doorstepping teams will help to raise the profile of recycling in each area, inform householders of recycling services available and explain how they can actively take part in recycling,” she added.

A new device is being made available that will help those finding it difficult to transfer household waste recycling boxes to the kerbside.

The Wheela Trolley could help those that find it difficult to take part in kerbside recycling schemes

The lightweight “Wheela Trolley“, which won the Sunderland Echo's Business Idea of the Year Award last year, helps people take their recycling box from their home to the kerbside without bending, lifting or carrying the box.

Steph Chamberlin, the developer of the trolley said the trolley would empower those who are elderly or infirm to get involved in recycling, explaining: “Not everyone likes to rely on assisted schemes with the councils because they like to be independent.”

Ms Chamberlin worked with the Business Innovations Centre in Sunderland to develop the product, and is now seeking local authority partners to take the idea forward.

Packaging and WEEE compliance scheme Budget Pack has announced that it will be offering free company assessments this month.

The Gloucestershire-based scheme will be carrying out assessments of companies in order to determine whether or not they need to comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive.

Under a “no WEEE no fee” slogan, companies can find out if they are obligated without having to pay for the privilege.

Budget Pack will also be offering advice and aid for companies that are found to be obligated by the legislation, which is set to come into force in the UK in January 2006.

Recycle for Cornwall has launched a series of summer activities aimed at educating residents in the area as to what happens once they separate their recyclables.

Visitors will be shown the sorting facilities within Cornwall's MRFs in Bodmin and Pool

As part of the events, summer fun days will be held at materials recycling facilities in Bodmin and Pool. Activities will include kite making from scrap material.

Visitors to either centre will be given the opportunity to take a guided tour of the recycling facility.

The fun days will run next Monday (August 8) at Bodmin and Tuesday (August 9) at Pool. Recycle for Cornwall will also be appearing at the various summer events in the county.