Geminor helps divert RDF from fire-hit Dutch plant
Geminor has announced that it has signed a contract with the operators of the AVR energy from waste (EfW) plant in Rotterdam, which was hit by a fire last year.
The contract will see Geminor take 50,000 tonnes per annum of RDF originally intended for the plant in Rotterdam and divert it to plants in the Nordics.
A fire in the AVR facility in the Netherlands, which has a capacity of 1.3 million tonnes, led to an “immediate shutdown” in September 2023.
Geminor said the facility has since needed a diversion of RDF during the rehabilitation process, which is “presumed to last until October this year”.
Kai Schöpwinkel is the country manager of Geminor France, and said: “There is a big need for waste for energy recovery in the Nordics this winter season, and the secondary fuels will be sent to Finland, Sweden, and Norway by bulk or container transport in the months to come.
“With a more than 10-year-long partnership with AVR we have managed to find a swift solution to this extraordinary situation. The first shipments of baled MSW, which has been stored at the AVR plant, is now leaving Dutch ports for Finland.”
Northern Ireland launches food waste campaign
Recycle Now has launched a campaign to reduce food waste in partnership with DAERA in Northern Ireland.
DAERA, based in Belfast, is investing £23m in recycling and as part of its investment has joined forces with DAERA to launch a campaign to reduce food waste in the country after data from WRAP recorded that the average householders bin in the country is made up of around 30% food waste, most of which could have been eaten.
Craig Stephens, campaigns manager at Recycle Now, said: “We want this campaign to encourage everyone in Northern Ireland to think twice about where they are getting rid of their food waste and to use their food caddy rather than the general rubbish bin.
“The resources that go into producing our food – the water, the transportation, and the energy to chill foods at every step of the supply chain from farm to fork – are also wasted when we throw food away. Needlessly putting food in the bin impacts both our pockets and planet. By recycling our food waste, we can save money while creating compost and green energy instead.”
To find out more about food waste collections, visit the National Food Waste conference on 7 March at America Square Conference Centre in London. To book tickets to attend or for more information please click here.
Veolia appointed as waste contractor for football stadium
Veolia has announced it has been appointed as Ashton Gate’s (home of Bristol City football club and Bristol Bears) new waste and recycling contractor.
The one-year contract will see Veolia manage all waste stream collections for Ashton Gate Stadium, Robins High Performance Centre and Bristol Bears High Performance Centre.
Commenting on the partnership, Adam Wylie, Veolia’s managing director for commercial said: “By partnering with Ashton Gate we will be able to help them make a significant positive impact on their recycling rates, and further progress their sustainability.
“Bristol Sport and Ashton Gate have ambitious goals, which aligns with Veolia’s purpose of ecological transformation and we are looking forward to implementing some of our initiatives and innovations in this partnership.”
Sustainable fashion show held in Scotland
Climate and sustainability groups from across Scotland hosted a fashion show displaying upcycled outfits outside the Scottish Parliament on 22 February, to call on MSPs to support the Circular Economy Bill that’s being debated soon.
The models took to the catwalk in outfits including a dress made of bike inner tubes to highlight that 65% of our clothing is made from fossil fuel-based plastic, a cape made from plastic bottles collected from beach litter, and an electric cable headdress to highlight the impacts of mining for metals and lack of repair opportunities for electronic waste in Scotland.
Kim Pratt, circular economy campaigner at Friends of the Earth Scotland, said: “Valuing our materials properly is essential to reduce the environmental destruction we’re causing, and as we’ve seen today it can be the jumping off point for so much creativity and community.
“The Circular Economy Bill is an exciting opportunity for Scotland to make real progress and build on the great work that is already happening. Reuse and repair offer people the chance to make affordable and green choices but far too few people have access to these services and those providing them need better support.”
Subscribe for free