Printer cartridge recycling scheme rolled out in West Dorset
West Dorset council is co-ordinating the scheme and the bins will be emptied by staff and clients at the Whitfield Rural Activities Centre near Dorchester, which organises activities for people with mental health problems. The cartridges are cleaned, refilled and resold by a private company to raise money for the centre.
The Whitfield Centre already collects aluminium foil dropped in recycling banks. The containers and wrappers are sorted, crushed and re-sold. Acting manager Sarah Chubb said: “We have collected 114 bales of aluminium in the past three months and the amount being put in the foil banks appears to be going up steadily. It's great to be involved in the printer cartridge recycling. Our clients really enjoy the work and it raises their motivation and self-esteem.”
Waste strategy seminars to be held for councils
A series of one-day seminars for local authority recycling managers which will focus on the impact of the English waste strategy 2007 will be held in September.
A range of issues will be looked at including how pay-as-you-throw schemes work in other countries, as well as how to launch public consultations.
The events, run by environmental communications specialist EnviroComms, run from September 24 – October 9, in London, Bristol, Cardiff, Telford, Manchester and Belfast. For cost and booking information, call EnviroComms on 01268 461210 or log on to http://www.envirocomms.co.uk/
WEEE recycling success in West Sussex
Viridor Waste Management installed collection bins and zones at the council's 11 household waste recycling centres in time for the start of the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive on July 1. In July, the county collected 202 tonnes of small appliances and 267 tonnes of large appliances which are then reprocessed by MDJ Light Brothers.
Councillor Frank Wilkinson, cabinet member for waste issues, said: “That is the equivalent weight of 469 small family cars. Previously, WEEE was being recycled along with the scrap metal. Now with the system of special containers we can assess and see clearly how many of these items are being taken to our sites.”
Positive response for construction waste service for SMEs
A collection service for small and medium sized businesses producing demolition and construction waste in Manchester, Lymm and Peterborough is proving a success, say its organisers.
Axion Recycling, a firm offer waste management solutions, started the scheme with support from the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP). The company collects material in skips or bags and in six months, says it has picked-up 2,800 tonnes of material.
Project coordinator Jane Gardner from Axion Recycling said: “We're really pleased that our service has had such a positive response from SMEs in the area who told us they wanted to recycle but previously lacked the appropriate infrastructure to do so.”
“Doctors” offer residents advice about recycling
The “doctors”, who will provide help and advice on the phone or in person six days a week, launched their service with help from Jean Griffin – a gardening programme expert from BBC Southern Counties Radio – in a Newhaven garden centre. The service is provided by waste management solutions company Resource Futures, on behalf of the county council.
Councillor Matthew Lock, East Sussex County Council's lead member for environment, said: “I am delighted that we are launching this service across East Sussex. Composting is a great way to reduce waste in an easy and environmentally friendly manner. The Compost Doctors will be able to provide expert composting help and advice to all who contact them. We are also encouraging home composting through offering compost bins at a discounted rate to East Sussex residents.”
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