Agency accepts enforcement undertaking offers
The Environment Agency said last week (17 February) that it has accepted enforcement undertaking offers from two Solihull-based companies.
The payments were part of an undertaking offered by G&Z Trading Ltd and Unielectronics Ltd for their failure to comply with the packaging regulations, the Agency said.
Unielectronics, a specialist in importing print and ink cartridges, first became obligated in the 2014 registration year but “failed to register until 2018”, the regulator explained. It added that the company has complied ever since and has made a financial contribution of £5,060 to Birmingham Botanical Gardens.
Similarly, G&Z Trading, a supplier of new generic ink cartridges trading under the name Printing Pleasures, first became obligated in the 2017 registration year but “failed to register until 2018”, the Agency continued. Having complied ever since, the company also made a financial contribution to Birmingham Botanical Gardens of £1,000, according to the Agency.
Jake Richardson, senior technical officer for the Environment Agency, said: “Enforcement undertakings enable businesses to address historical non-compliance under the Packaging Regulations, through a series of actions that ensure future compliance and a financial contribution to a suitable environmental project.”
Batteries the cause of five fires in Basildon
Basildon borough council has said that a refuse vehicle caught fire on route earlier this month because of batteries disposed in recycling.
The council made the announcement on its Facebook page, warning that this is “the fifth fire of a similar nature in recent months”. It added that “luckily no one was injured, but it could have been worse”.
The local authority emphasised the importance of correctly disposing of batteries and other items that pose a fire risk, including oil, chemicals and hot ashes. It urged residents to never place these items in their refuse bins.
The council noted that the pink recycling sacks are for dry, mixed recycling materials only. Residents can also use these to dispose of old shoes and clothing provided they are kept separate to the other materials and the bags are clearly marked with a label saying ‘textiles’.
Pop-up recycling centres collect three tonnes of material
Newcastle’s two pop-up recycling centres have seen over three tonnes of material collected over two days, Newcastle city council has said.
The council explained that the pop-up facilities were designed “to make recycling more accessible for residents”. Residents had the opportunity to visit one pop-up facility on 18 January, with the second open the following week, the local authority added.
Over the two days, the facilities have seen a total of 142 visits, with residents disposing of more than three tonnes of material including sofas, televisions and garden furniture.
Cllr Jane Byrne, Newcastle city council cabinet member for a connected city, said: “We are always looking at ways to make it easier for residents to recycle as we know not everyone has access to a vehicle and therefore are unable to use our household waste and recycling centres.
“This pilot scheme put free recycling facilities in the hearts of our communities, with the aim of helping to increase recycling rates and reduce on-street fly-tipping.”
The council said that discussions are under way to roll out the pop-up recycling centres in other areas of the city.
Small electrical items to be collected in Norfolk
A string of councils in Norfolk have announced they will be introducing a small electrical items collection service in partnership with Serco, phased in from 27 February.
Breckland, Kings Lynn and West Norfolk and North Norfolk councils will see small electrical items collection gradually phased in over a four-month period, starting next week. They noted that the service will be weekly, suggesting that residents take the “little and often” approach rather than storing items up.
The councils said that a week before collections are due to start in their area, residents will receive a hanger on their bin, detailing what items can be collected and when and how to put them out for collection.
The councils advised residents to put items out only once they’ve received their hanger due to the sizes of the cages on the collection vehicles.
The local authorities reminded residents to wipe their data first if putting out laptops, mobile phones or other devices that could contain sensitive data. They added that apart from old cables and gadgets, items such as small toasters and hairdryers can also be recycled from home.
Changeworks sells Changeworks Recycling
Environmental charity Changeworks has announced the sale of its remaining 50% share of Changeworks Recycling to Forbes Connor.
The charity explained that its strategy for 2022-25 focuses on accelerating the decarbonisation of Scotland’s homes, with the sale of Changeworks Recycling “underlining this new strategic direction”.
Changeworks said that its recycling arm was sold to the arm’s managing director Forbes Connor. It outlined that Mr Connor has “extensive experience in the recycling industry, including 5 years at Changeworks Recycling”.
Changeworks Recycling was founded in 2001 as a trading subsidiary of Changeworks with an aim to increase business recycling at a time when there was no legal requirement for businesses to recycle their waste, the charity continued.
Forbes Connor commented: “It’s an exciting time for Changeworks Recycling. We thank Changeworks for their support as Changeworks Recycling went from strength to strength. Our focus is firmly on growing our customer base across the UK as Changeworks Recycling go nationwide. Changeworks are experts in their field and we wish them all the best for the future.”
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