UK Packaging Pact appoints Industry Expert Group chairs
The UK Packaging Pact has appointed five senior industry figures to chair its newly established Industry Expert Groups (IEGs), supporting delivery of the Pact’s ambitious goals to create a more circular packaging system.
The ten-year voluntary agreement, launched by WRAP in April with 100 founding signatories, brings together businesses from across the packaging value chain to improve packaging design, scale reuse systems, support recycling infrastructure investment and harmonise data.
The newly appointed chairs are Jamie Riley of Robinson Packaging, James Bull of Tesco, Stuart Hayward-Higham of Suez Recycling and Recovery UK, Clare Edgar of M&S and Brian Lodge of the British Plastics Federation.
Each will also join the UK Packaging Pact Advisory Board.
Helen Bird, Head of Packaging at WRAP, said: “I am delighted to welcome our Chairs who will provide essential steer on priority workstreams across the Packaging Pact’s Industry Expert Groups.
“Theirs will be a key role in keeping the Packaging Pact moving forward at pace, ensuring that action plans and work programmes complement external initiatives, and meet the needs of industry.”
Wychavon launches aluminium foil recycling campaign
Wychavon District Council has launched a new campaign encouraging residents to recycle more aluminium foil and trays following the introduction of kerbside collections for the material.
Delivered in partnership with Alupro, the ‘Foil in Love with Recycling’ campaign aims to increase recycling rates by tackling common misconceptions and promoting best practice.
Residents are being encouraged to scrunch used foil and clean aluminium trays into a ball before placing them in their green recycling bin.
The campaign includes social media activity, adverts on petrol pumps, waste collection vehicles and railway stations.
Councillor Emma Stokes, Wychavon’s executive board member for resources, investment and innovation, said: “Our residents are already enthusiastic recyclers, and this campaign will help us to capture even more valuable material that might otherwise end up in the black bin.”
Graeme Vickery to tackle Land’s End to John O’Groats charity cycle
Waste electricals sector veteran and former Defra advisor Graeme Vickery is preparing to cycle more than 1,000 miles from Land’s End to John O’Groats to raise money for two children’s charities.
Vickery will set off on 9 August as part of a group of 18 riders, covering 1,010 miles in 14 days and climbing more than 55,000 feet along the route.
He is raising funds for Demelza, which supports children with serious or life-limiting conditions across Kent, East Sussex and south-east London, and Newcastle-based Changing Minds with Pick Up a Penny, which provides mental health support for children and their families.
Drawing on his 17 years working in the WEEE sector, Vickery is encouraging colleagues across the industry to support the fundraising effort and help spread the word through their networks.
He said he chose two smaller charities where donations could make a tangible difference, adding that both organisations provide something families need most: hope.
Lincolnshire Environment Days engage 400 pupils in recycling and sustainability
Around 400 primary school pupils from 17 schools took part in Lincolnshire County Council’s second annual Environment Days.
Held at the Lincolnshire Showground, the two-day event doubled in size from its inaugural year and featured hands-on activities including the Recycling Olympics, a mock Household Waste Recycling Centre and demonstrations from organisations across the waste, recycling and environmental sectors.
The event formed part of the council’s ‘Let’s Talk Rubbish’ education programme, which encourages positive environmental behaviours among young people.
Councillor Danny Brookes, executive member for environment at Lincolnshire County Council, said: “Helping children understand why protecting our environment matters is one of the best investments we can make for the future. Events like this help bring those messages to life in a fun and engaging way.”
New children’s book highlights benefits of metals recycling
A new children’s book introducing young readers to the importance of metals recycling and the circular economy has been released by Sheffield-based author Helen Hunt.
‘How I Was Made’ follows the adventures of Steelosaurus and his friends, Martha and Tim, as they visit a metals recycling yard and steelworks to discover how steel is recycled and transformed into new products.
The book is a follow-up to Hunt’s earlier title, ‘Made in Sheffield’.
Alongside the book, Hunt has developed a schools programme drawing on her counselling background, using Steelosaurus’s journey to educate children about metals recycling and sustainability.
She has been visiting schools to discuss the book and encourage greater understanding of the role recycling plays in supporting a circular economy.
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