Resource Efficient Scotland celebrates first year
So far, it has helped identify 10 million in cost savings via energy efficiency, engaged with 33,000 organisations and incorporated interest-free loans for small and medium-sized enterprises.
The event featured a keynote speech from Fergus Ewing, minister for enterprise, energy and tourism; a panel debate and addresses from Zero Waste Scotland director Iain Gulland and head of Resource Efficient Scotland Marissa Lippiatt.
Iain Gulland, director of Zero Waste Scotland said: Im delighted to be marking the first anniversary of our Resource Efficient Scotland programme, a unique and tailored service for organisations of all sizes and all types.
Ealing Council in Starbucks waste row
Ealing Council has taken multinational coffee chain Starbucks to court for leaving commercial waste on a busy pavement in the borough.
The Starbucks shop, beside Ealing Broadway station, was issued with a formal notice banning bags of waste from being left in the street between 10am and 5pm each day.
Waste continued to be left outside the premises by Starbucks staff despite the warning, and in September 2013 council officers took photographic evidence.
The company pleaded guilty to the offence and was ordered to pay a total of 1,328 including fines and costs.
It is the second time Starbucks has been fined for the offence, having been fined 800 in 2012.
Keith Townsend, Ealings executive director of environment and customer services, said: “It is in everyone’s best interests for businesses to dispose of their waste correctly and we urge them to do so.”
Welsh Assembly launches recycling inquiry
An inquiry looking at local authority household waste recycling practices has been launched by the National Assembly for Wales environment and sustainability committee.
The inquiry will also explore local authority reactions to the recently published Waste Regulations Route Map and the potential impacts and implications of this on recycling practice across Wales.
The committee is currently inviting views from individuals and organisations to be submitted by June 10, in time for the 2014 summer term oral evidence sessions.
Waste projects list revealed
Defra has published a list of all the waste disposal authority contracts currently outstanding in the UK following a freedom of information request.
The list details each individual contract, from when it went live its date of expiry, the value, name of contractor involved and annual tonnages processed.
It also describes the type of facility the residual waste is consigned to under the contracts and the 28 PFI projects either in operation, construction or planning stage.
The information was published by the Waste Infrastructure Delivery Programme (WIDP) Office. The list is available to view here.
Thousands join Portsmouth recycling scheme
Some 8,000 people have signed up to Portsmouth city councils BIG Recycle incentive scheme, which offers rewards to residents for recycling and randomly selects 81 winners each month.
And, since the campaign launched almost 4,000 tonnes of recyclables have been collected and taken to a materials recycling facility in Anchorage Park for reprocessing.
The incentive scheme has been launched in order to boost Portsmouths overall recycling rate, which currently resides in the bottom 20 councils with just 22.80% in 2012/13.
Paul Fielding, assistant head of service for environment, said: “Thank you to all the residents who have made the BIG Recycle a success so far. We hope that the activity we have planned for the rest of the year will encourage more of you to sign up and will help to teach you what can and can’t be recycled in Portsmouth.
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