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BMRA unveils new logo and head office
The British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) has today (October 19) unveiled a new logo, designed to signify its role leading the £5.6 billion UK metal recycling sector.
The association, which represents over 300 metal recyclers across the UK, has also moved to a new head office in Huntingdon, Cambridgeshire – a location chosen for its good transport links.
With a nod to the Association’s support for circular economic principles through its design, the logo is intended to mark a new approach by the BMRA to working with its members and stakeholders, which it said would see it become a “more open and communicative organisation”.
This work will be led by two new faces: Antonia Grey, who will take on a newly created communications role and Sam Pentony, who has legal experience and joins as policy executive.
BMRA director general, Ian Hetherington, said: “The BMRA represents over 300 members who together process more than 13 million tonnes – over 95% of the metal recycled in the UK.
“By having one voice through the BMRA, our members can have a significant impact on policy-making both at home and in Europe. Expanding the team will allow us to harness this power while enabling us to better meet the growing needs of our members in the face of the current challenging times.”
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Competition ‘ensures affordable waste services’
Competition ensures that waste management services are affordable for consumers and that innovation is not stifled, according to EU Commissioner for competition, Margrethe Vestager.
Speaking at an event organised by the Brussels-based economic think tank Bruegel last week (October 12), Ms Vestager spoke about how competition policy can support the transition towards Europe’s decarbonised economy in areas including waste and recycling.
With regards to waste in particular, Ms Vestager spoke about packaging producer compliance body ARA which is alleged to have “eliminated competition from the waste-management market by refusing access to its household waste-collection infrastructure”, thereby pushing up waste service costs.
Pointing to the forthcoming circular economy package, she said: “Building the green economy of the future requires innovation and fresh ideas. It also requires companies that can bring to the market the green products, services and solutions we need to save the planet.”
“There is no doubt in my mind that keeping markets open and contestable contribute to create the best conditions for this to happen. We should trust the power of vibrant and well-regulated markets. This applies to waste-management services, renewable sources of energy, and many other sectors in our economy.”
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Contract win for Cumbria Waste Group
Cumbria Waste Group has won a new contract to collect and recycle waste from over 100 local authority-owned premises across the region.
The company – which is owned by Cumbria county council but runs independently – will collect waste from a range of Cumbria county council premises, including its offices, depots, residential care homes, libraries and day centres.
As part of the contract, Cumbria Waste Group (CWG) has been tasked with increasing recycling of the waste generated by the local authority.
The material will be taken for processing to various Cumbria Waste Group facilities and either be recycled or turned into a refuse derived fuel to produce electricity.
John Walmesley, CWG’s collections & recycling director, said: “This is a significant contract involving the collection and processing of hundreds of tonnes of waste each year from county council premises across Cumbria.
“The whole emphasis is on landfill diversion and increasing the recycling of waste, so we are looking forward to working in partnership with the council to achieve these objectives.”
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Waste industry welcomes EU-UK environment inquiry
Waste industry representatives have welcomed the launch of an inquiry into the merit of EU policy on environmental objectives in the UK ahead of the referendum on EU membership that the Government has committed to holding by the end of 2017.
The Environmental Audit Committee announced today (October 19) that it is holding the inquiry to “assess the extent to which EU environmental objectives and policies have succeeded in tackling environmental issues in the UK.”
The EAC said: “The inquiry will first look at the merits and drawbacks of determining environmental policy at an EU level for the UK and, secondly, look at the implications of such policies on the UK environment.”
The inquiry was welcomed by the Environmental Services Association (ESA), which represents waste management companies in the UK.
Roy Hathaway, ESA Europe policy advisor, said: “It is important that robust evidence about the costs and benefits of Britain’s EU membership is made widely available to inform the Referendum debate, and this is just as important for environment policy as it is for other policy areas.”
He added: “This inquiry should highlight both the benefits and the costs for our sector. In ESA’s view the overall effect of EU membership on the sector has been beneficial.”
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Bucks EfW holds careers open day
Students and professionals interested in job opportunities in the waste, energy and construction industries attended an open day at the Buckinghamshire energy from waste facility on October 3.
Engineering procurement construction company, Hitachi Zosen INOVA (HZI), which designed and built the plant, co-hosted the event with operator FCC Environment and Buckinghamshire county council.
The open day included a guided tour of the site by FCC Environment, as well as an exhibition featuring companies involved in its contract and construction including: Buckinghamshire county council, Hitachi Zosen INOVA, Sir Robert McAlpine Civils Engineering, FSD Electrical Engineering, and Engineering Construction Industry Training Board.
FCC Environment bid director, Gillian Sinclair, said: “The open day was attended by a wide range of visitors from year 11 students to post graduates, and representatives from HMP Grendon and Springhill as well as Learn Direct.
“Everyone was extremely enthusiastic and the day was a great success providing visitors with a valuable insight about how an Energy from Waste plant works and how to enter three industries that offer a wide range of career opportunities.”
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