News in brief

CIWM restates call for mandatory edoc use

CIWM reasons that edoc, which was developed by the Environment Agency, offers a quick, easy and cost effective way of completing and recording the transfer of non-hazardous waste between organisations. It is free to use for all businesses but is currently not mandatory.

Steve Lee, chief executive at CIWM said, We have been supporters of edoc throughout its entire development and continue to support the system, not only by using it ourselves but also by actively encouraging other businesses to adopt it.

Since CIWM started using the new system in January this year, we have taken to weighing the amount of waste we produce each week. As a result, we are now monitoring and analysing our waste much more closely.

Mr Lee added: If mandatory, edoc could provide us with much more accurate data on the waste that is being produced and help UK businesses, the waste industry and UK governments to adopt, promote and support better waste and resource management in the future. However, in order to achieve this, the majority of businesses in the UK would need to be using the system.

Perth firm fined for battery waste failure

A Perth-based recycling firm has been fined 6,000 for a series of waste offences following a large fire at its site in February 2012.

Wyllie Recycling Ltd pleaded guilty to charges of accepting waste not permitted by licence and failing to carry out an appraisal of unidentifiable waste at Perth Sheriff Court on Wednesday (July 9).

The court heard that the day before the blaze at the Inveralmond Industrial Estate, a worker had separated a number of objects that could not be identified into a bag. The site supervisor did not see the items but advised the labourer to take them to an area at the back of the site.

CCTV footage from February 17 showed a container being placed in the storage area next to the bag where minutes later a fire erupted, appearing to emanate from both receptacles.
Around 55 lithium batteries, which are a specialist battery used in the power distribution industry, were found at the seat of the fire.

The firm also pleaded guilty to failing to ensure a copy of consignment notes was sent to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) before two consignments of waste were removed.

The firm had arranged for nickel cadmium batteries and lead acid batteries also found at the site to be removed for disposal by Red Industries Ltd, but did not inform SEPA in advance of the transport.

Brendan Craig, SEPAs reporting officer, said: This case has highlighted why such appraisals and segregation are important, and we hope it serves as a warning to other waste operators.

Shanks and M&S sign second power deal

Waste management firm Shanks has made a two-year agreement with Marks & Spencer to supply the retailer with renewable energy from its anaerobic digestion plant near Bicester.

M&S sends food waste that cannot be passed on to food banks and local charities to Shanks where it is converted into biogas for energy and digestate.

In turn, M&S will buy back around 30,000 MWh of electricity per year enough to power 20 M&S Simply Food stores. The contract follows an existing deal whereby Shanks supplies M&S from its AD facility in Cumbernauld.

Peter Eglinton, UK managing director at Shanks, said: “Were delighted with this new deal which demonstrates M&Ss continued commitment to responsible business practices and allows us to supply them with more electricity. This is an excellent example of our strategy of making more from waste.

Spain accused of EU landfill breach

The European Commission has announced it is to take Spain to court for breaching EU landfill legislation.

Under the Landfill Directive, landfill sites that were open in 2001 should have ceased operations by July 2009 unless they were seen to comply with EU standards.

According to the Commission, almost five years after the final deadline for closure, 28 non-compliant landfill sites in Spain remain open and three more still need to be brought up to the standards required.

In order to bring the closures and upgrades to fruition about the Commission has resorted to action before the EU Court of Justice, on the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potonik.

Spain is also accused of failing to provide an adequate environmental assessment of a proposed high-speed rail link between Seville and Almeria, which could disturb wildlife habitats.

MRWA introduces hi-visibility litter bins

Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) has unveiled extra hi-visibility litter bins at high traffic areas throughout Liverpool in response to a busy season of events.

The bright yellow bins, which have been distributed in conjunction with MRWAs contractors Amey and Veolia, will help residents recycle the estimated 200 tonnes of litter that is produced in the city every month.

Once destined for landfill, litter now deposited in the bins is mostly comprised of recyclable items such as cans, paper, cardboard and plastic and glass bottles. These materials are sorted and recyclables extracted so they can be reprocessed.

Councillor Laura Robertson-Collins, chair of Liverpool city councils neighbourhoods select committee, said: We need to increase our recycling rate using all means possible whether it is through waste produced in households or litter deposited in bins in the streets. These new bins are a way we will collect more recyclables and reduce the amount of rubbish which ends up buried in landfill.