News in Brief

Planning granted for WRGs Calvert EfW

Planning permission for the facility was approved by seven votes to two following a two-day committee meeting which heard submissions from public objectors, supporters, council members, neighbouring parish councils and WRG.

WRG plans to build the EfW to treat up to 300,000 tonnes of waste generated by households and businesses across Buckinghamshire every year. The plant is being developed a 30-year residual waste treatment contract, which WRG was named preferred bidder for in February 2011 (see letsrecycle.com story). The deal is hoped to save the council over 100 million.

WRG is part of international environmental services group FCC. Commenting on the planning approval, John Plant, director of FCC Projects, said: I am very pleased that the Development Control Committee has decided to give approval to the Greatmoor Energy Recovery facility.

Chairman of the councils development control David Polhill added: ‘The application for this Energy from Waste facility must rate as the most difficult planning decision this Committee has ever had to deal with, and I thank the Committee members for their sterling efforts over the past weeks. There has been a great deal of interest in this proposal and it is encouraging to see such a good number of the public here. Id like to thank them for their time and contribution.

SEPA in talks over bioaerosol health risks

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has announced that it is in talks with organisations, including the Environment Agency and organics recycling company Scottish Water Horizons, to determine the potential health and environmental impact of bioaerosols released from large scale composting operations.

The announcement follows the publication of the chief executives report last week (April 17) which highlighted concerns about the potential for composting activities to cause adverse health effects, particularly where these activities lead to the exposure of bioaerosols.

In his report SEPA chief executive James Curran said: There are many gaps and uncertainties in our scientific knowledge of the risks. This research will help us to understand more about the effect of composting processes and environmental factors in influencing the release, diversion, and exposure to the more problematic bioaerosols.

Commenting on the research a spokesperson for SEPA said: It [the research] will also help us develop and implement improved methods of monitoring and modelling bioaerosols and explore the effectiveness of various mitigation measures.

RDC receives third Queens Award

Computer reuse specialist RDC has received royal recognition at the 2012 Queens Awards for Enterprise by being granted an award for International Trade.

Essex-based RDC received the award following growth and sales of its products and services overseas. The Queens Awards for Enterprise honour outstanding UK companies and encourage the development of British business. This is the third Queens Award received by RDC in ten years. RDC sells computers for reuse following tests to ensure the equipment is safe, fit for purpose and that previous users data has been deleted.

Commenting on the award Gerry Hackett, managing director of RDC, said: Being recommended for a Queens Award for Enterprise for International Trade in this, the Queens Diamond Jubilee Year, makes this a very special honour. The Queens Award for International Trade recognises the advance RDC has made in successfully developing our business in a competitive global market. This prestigious award recognises our success and is proudly shared by everyone working for RDC.

Cromwell Recycling expands with new premises

Cromwell Polythenes recycling division, Cromwell Recycling, has moved to larger premises on the Sherburn-in-Elmet industrial park in Leeds. The new premises, where the company will sort grade and bale a number of materials including plastics and card, offer more than half an acre of outside storage.

In addition to the move Cromwell Recycling has also appointed a new buyer, Anthony Oldridge, who will work with divisional director Mark Fuller to procure recovered materials.
Cromwell Polythene is an independent supplier of products including refuse sacks, compostable bags and clinical waste sacks – for the waste management and recycling sector. The company said the move will allow for the continued expansion of the recycling division.

Commenting on the move, James Lee, Cromwells chief executive, said: The relocation of our recycling business to much bigger premises on the same industrial park in Sherburn-in-Elmet, near Leeds, is a major vote of confidence in its continued growth. Last year alone saw a 40 per cent increase in tonnage and weve every confidence that we can sustain that growth in the recovery of post-industrial packaging, which serves as the raw material in the manufacture of new recycling sacks and other products.

Bedford launches organic waste partnership

Bedford borough council and waste management firm Envar have officially launched a contract for the management of organic waste in the borough. The launch was marked by a meeting between Bedford borough Mayor Dave Hodgson and Envars business development manager Emma Lucas.

The company was awarded the contract by the council in January 2012 for the management of all organic waste collected in the borough. The contract will run from April 1 2012 until at least March 31 2017.

Commenting on the partnership Dave Hodgson, Mayor of Bedford borough, said: In addition to continuing to provide a valued service to local residents through the composting of organic waste from kerbside collections and the popular Household Waste Recycling Centre at Barkers Lane, this agreement saves local taxpayers 100,000 per year. It also maintains the ongoing relationship with an important local business, Growing Beds in Ravensden. This is an excellent deal for the Council and local taxpayers.

Managing director at Envar Arthur Ready added: We are delighted to be working with Bedford Borough Council and local organic recycling company Growing Beds. Together we will be assisting the Council in achieving their overall recycling targets of 60% by 2020.