WRAP heads Defra project to boost business recycling
Defra has commissioned WRAP to seek five partners to pilot recycling support to business and non-household organisations.
This could include local authorities in England, business improvement districts or bodies providing advisory support.
Increasing recycling rates from businesses is seen as key if the UK is to hit desired recycling rates. Previous efforts to revamp the system were shelved by Defra earlier this year (see letsrecycle.com story).
The pilots are proposed to take place from mid-January 2023, but partners would be engaged in planning the pilots from September 2022.
As part of the pilots, WRAP is developing a suite of tools, guidance, and other online resources designed to support decision-making and implementation of recycling within non-household organisations.
In addition, each pilot will include an evaluation of local communications activities designed to raise awareness, and the one-to-one advisory support.
A spokesperson from WRAP said: “Participation in these business support pilots presents an excellent opportunity to improve local business resource efficiency and to influence the development of future business recycling support.”
Esken bags Gold Award for Armed Forces support
Esken Renewables has been awarded the Armed Forces Covenant’ Gold Award for its “outstanding support towards the Armed Forces community”.
The award recognises the support Esken Renewables provides to its veteran, reservist and Cadet Force Adult Volunteer employees, as well as spouses and partners of those serving in the Armed Forces.
Circa 10% of Esken Renewables’ people have served or continue to serve as reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteer.
Commenting on the news, Richard Jenkins, chief executive officer at Esken Renewables said, “I am delighted that we have been awarded the Gold Standard for the Military Covenant, especially so quickly after securing Silver status in 2020.
“This serves to recognise the success of the partnership and our commitment to supporting both our existing armed forces personnel within Esken Renewables and the wider military community.”
Highland council formally awards Viridor EfW deal
Four months after being reported by letsrecycle.com (see letsrecycle.com story), Highland council confirmed on 13 July it will send residual waste to Viridor in a £58 million deal
The Council has procured Viridor’s services with a 5-year contract which will start on 1 January 2023 with a 3-year possible extension.
The Council will deliver residual waste to Viridor’s Energy from Waste facility in Dunbar, East Lothian. Viridor will process and treat the waste, using it to generate electricity which is exported onto the National Grid.
Allan Gunn, ECO Communities and Place said: “This is an extremely positive and important step for Highland. This contract provides the Council with medium-term security of waste disposal outlets within Scotland. It will also result in lower carbon emissions from the Council’s waste management activities.”
Coca-Cola and Merlin partner again for DRS scheme
Coca-Cola has again partnered with Merlin Entertainment to operate a deposit return scheme (DRS), where visitors can be in with a chance of entering a prize draw in exchange for a plastic bottle.
However, this time entrants will be in for a prize draw, instead of an instant 50% discount which was previously on offer (see lestrecycle.com story).
Visitors to theme parks including Alton Towers, Thorpe Park, Chessington World of Adventures and LEGOLAND, are asked to bring a 500ml bottle between 14 July and 30 September.
In exchange, they will be entered into a prize draw to win prizes including a family VIP behind the scenes tour of the Sea Life Trust Cornish Seal Sanctuary, a shark dive at the Bear Grylls Adventure and a VIP White Rhino Encounter at Chessington World of Adventures.
The partnership continues Coca-Cola’s ongoing relationship with Merlin Entertainments, which has seen over 100,000 plastic bottles collected via the reverse vending machines since 2018.
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