News in Brief

Council invests in 100 bins for Olympic Park

The bins have been supplied by Midlands-based manufacturer Amberol. Each bin is made from recyclable polythene with a fire retardant inner liner and has a combined waste and recycling capacity of 180 litres. The bins also include two stubber plates and ash collectors to help on street smokers to dispose of cigarette ends. The green and black bins are split into two sections: green for recyclable materials such as plastic bottles, newspapers, glass and cans, with the black section designed for residual waste.

Commenting on the bins, Paul Tickner, senior contracts monitoring office at the council, said: The Olympic recycling bins are an important part of our environmental imitative. We are delighted with the Olympic Park venue and believe that it will be a great environment for people to visit including those who may not have tickets for the events but would like to come and soak up some of the Olympic atmosphere. The Amberol bins are an important part of our waste and recycling strategy designed to keep the public areas looking their best.

Investor confidence crucial to waste infrastructure

Investor confidence is the most significant barrier to successful delivery of waste infrastructure, according to findings from a webinar poll conducted by US incineration giant Covanta.

More than 40% of respondents to the online poll indicated investor confidence as the largest barrier, and almost a quarter felt that a delay in key policy tied to the national planning framework would be detrimental.

Commenting on the results, David Massingham, Covantas energy director of public affairs, said: Results from polls during the webinar reveal that investor confidence is seen as by far the most significant barrier to delivering necessary improvements in waste infrastructure. However, many participants, from a broad variety of industry sectors, agreed that the governments forthcoming EfW guidance should provide a clear indication on the preferred circumstances for new EfW infrastructure. It was also encouraging that a significant proportion also felt that the guidance should stress that EfW is a complementary, rather than a conflicting, recovery option to help dispel the myth that it crowds out recycling.

SITA marks 5th anniversary of Northumberland contract

Northumberland county council and waste management firm SITA UK have celebrated the fifth anniversary of their 28-year waste treatment contract which has seen more than 90 million invested in the countys waste and recycling infrastructure.

SITA UK was awarded the PFI-backed contract in 2006. Since then, SITA has developed a 66 million energy-from-waste (EfW) facility, a 3.7 million materials recycling facility (MRF), and invested more than 12 million into the countys household waste recovery centres (HWRCs).

Commenting on the progress made under the contract, Alan Thompson, executive member for neighbourhood services and highways at the council, said: Securing value for money and improving our environment are key priorities for the council and the first five years of our partnership with SITA UK has meant weve been able to deliver on these, as well as on the key infrastructure needed to meet our landfill diversion targets. Northumberland residents have also made a significant contribution through their participation in recycling services, but we can always do more. We now look to build on this success and with the services and infrastructure now in place, look to help our residents get the most from the services provided.

Cardiff rejects claims of landfilled recyclables

Cardiff city council has rejected claims that it has sent over 1,000 tonnes of recyclable material to landfill following accusations by a local newspaper.

On Saturday (April 28) the South Wales Echo reported that workers at the council materials recycling facility (MRF) in Lamby Way had said dry recyclables destined for sorting had been landfilled. However, the council said that all material was being sent to a facility in Southampton for sorting due to issues with the MRF.

Commenting on the allegations, Cylch, the Welsh Community Recycling Network, said: It is not just that, as Wales capital city, Cardiff should be leading the way as Wales strives to become a Zero Waste nation; one of the most striking observations is that, at current prices, the 1000 tonnes of recyclable material could have been sold for in excess of 100,000. Instead it was landfilled, which represents buried money.

However, Cardiff city council rejected the claims. Chief operating officer Andrew Kerr said:

The council strongly refutes any allegations of green bags being disposed of in landfill.

The only material that has been sent for disposal has been contaminated or rejected by the process and amounts to 6% which is below national average. All inputs and outputs at waste recycling facilities are stringently and independently monitored throughout the year by regulatory bodies such as the Environment Agency, HMRC and the Welsh Government.

Bywaters director claims LWaRB totally failed

Waste and recycling firm Bywaters managing director John Glover has accused the London Waste and Recycling Board (LWaRB) of totally failing to deliver infrastructure and employment in the capital under Boris Johnsons control.

The comments came as London awaits the result of the Mayoral election, due to be announced this evening (May 4).

LWaRB had previously committed 4.5 million in funding to the London-based firm to extend its materials recycling facility (see letsrecycle.com story) however Mr Glover said the Board withdrew its offer at a later date.

Commenting on LWaRB Mr Glover said: LWaRB has demonstrated total failure in delivery. Boris completely failed to perform his LWaRB duties and to ensure delivery. When LWaRB was asked by Defra about commitment and delivery towards the end of 2009 no funds had been dispensed or committed.

However LWaRB defended its position stating that is had committed over 56 million to projects in the capital which will create over 300 jobs. In a statement the Board said: Since it was established, LWARB has committed over 56 million to various projects to improve waste management in the capital. Through these investments, over 300 jobs and 100 trainee roles will be created.