Councils launch recycling-themed phone app
A new smart phone app has been launched to keep residents in Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon borough council up-to-date with bin collections and recycling centres in the area.
The free Bin-Ovation App went live last month and allows users to set reminders and receive notifications when there is a change to collections or services.
Over 300 different household items are listed on the app with photographs with the aim of helping residents with their efforts to reduce, reuse and recycle their household waste.
There is also access to news and recycling tips from environmental charity WRAP and an email service to contact the council regarding waste queries. It is available from the Google Play Store or the Apple App store.
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Mick George provides funding for six local projects
Waste operator Mick George is awarding £162,000 in funding through the Landfill Communities Fund for the development of six local projects.
The funding will be spread over an array of initiatives across the counties in which the company operates.
These include the installation of a central heating system at the Eynesbury Rovers Football Club, creation of a play trail at Fermyn Woods Country Park and the development of a top floor education environment at a new Heritage visitor centre.
Further projects include the building of mountain bike trail at Grafham water centre, the enlargement of an existing pitch at Eaton Socon football club and the purchasing of new equipment at Newborough cricket club.
Jon Stump, finance director at Mick George Ltd, said: ‘’The fund has proven invaluable to many local communities, helping to create, restore and protect a whole array of landmarks and projects.
“Since 2010 when the programme was launched, including this round of funding, in excess of £1 million has been invested in over thirty individual developments.’’
The community fund is managed by an independent charity Grantscape. The next available activity is due in March 2016.
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Essex county cabinet to consider local plan for waste development
Essex county council cabinet will consider 18 sites in Essex earmarked for future waste developments as it works with Southend-on-Sea Borough Council to divert waste away from landfill and more efficiently manage commercial waste.
The 18 sites are identified in the Replacement Waste Local Plan (RWLP), which will be reviewed on 26 January before full submission to the council on 9 February. The plan outlines a strategy for waste development up to 2032.
Once adopted, all waste-related planning applications will be determined in accordance with RWLP, which will replace the existing Essex and Southend Waste Local Plan (adopted in 2001) and will enable both councils to assess waste management-related planning applications using an up-to-date document.
If approved, the Plan and supporting documents will be launched for a six week public engagement, scheduled to commence in late March 2016.
Councillor David Norman, executive member for housing, planning and regulatory services at Southend-On-Sea borough council, said: “We all have a moral responsibility to protect our local environment for future generations and do our bit in stemming climate change. As a local authority, a large area where we can make a real difference is in the way we handle waste.
“We already have ambitious targets for recycling but we still need to do more, and that will require investment in new facilities with partners.”
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Harrogate council extends kerbside scheme
Harrogate borough council is expanding the range of materials it collects as part of its kerbside recycling scheme in order to further reduce the amount of waste it takes to landfill.
From 16 January residents across the Harrogate district can, for the first time, put brown cardboard, food and drink cartons and some plastic pots and tubs out for collection.
Up to now, if people wanted to recycle these items they had to take them to one of the district’s household waste and recycling centres (HWRCs).
Previously residents were only able to recycle paper, card, glass jars and bottles, food and drinks cans, aerosol cans, tin foil and plastic bottles at the kerbside.
Councillor Michael Harrison, Harrogate borough council’s cabinet member for environment, waste reduction and recycling, said: “Feedback from residents shows that they would like to recycle more.
“By expanding the range of items that can be collected as part of our kerbside recycling service we will be able to help them achieve this aim.”
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Football players to become ambassadors for recycling
Players at Forth Valley Football Academy (FVFA) have joined a partnership with resource management company FCC Environment.
The deal, which will start this month, will see players from under 11s to under 17s displaying the FCC logo for their season 2015-16 home and away strips.
Educational sessions will also be organised for the young players to help to inform them about the importance of recycling.
Stuart Mander from FCC Environment, said: “We’re thrilled to announce our partnership with the FVFA. As well as supporting what is a fantastic project for young people we also hope to help spread the word about the importance of recycling.
“We’re committed to Scotland and the region and we’re working hard to bring as much as we can to the community.”
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