News in brief

Waste consultancy begins search for chair

The company has announced that it will be looking to appoint a non-executive chair to strengthen its board. With the company looking to cement its reputation as the leading consultancy in this area in the UK it is hoped that the new position will bring independent scrutiny and advice to the business.

The firm has also forecast a threefold jump in profits, from March 2010-2012 which chief executive Jane Stephenson attributes to the company working closely with a number of local authorities, as well as contracts with Defra and WRAP.

Mrs. Stephenson said: In addition to ongoing contracts with May Gurney and Global Renewables Lancashire, Resource Futures also continues to assist pioneering local authorities. The company delivers contracts for the two highest performing counties: two waste education programmes for Devon county council and a community engagement programme for Oxfordshire county council.

Details of the job vacancy can be found here.

Environment Agency tackles North West waste crime

The Environment Agency has joined forces with local authorities and the police to tackle waste crime in the North West through a dedicated team of officers.

The Agency is currently investigating reports of 105 illegal waste sites across the region which are thought to contain construction, demolition, household and commercial waste as well as scrap vehicles.

Commenting on the investigation Gordon Whitaker, environment manager for the Environment Agency, said: Waste crime is a serious offence that poses a risk to human health and can damage the environment. The Environment Agency is working with all enforcement agencies to stamp it out. If you’re involved in illegal waste activities, you should be looking over your shoulder and expecting a visit from our enforcement officers.

Welsh skip hire manager convicted of waste offences

The manager of a Welsh skip-hire firm has been found guilty of five offences relating to the disposal of his waste at Caernarfon crown court yesterday (December 8).

The court heard that William OGrady, who ran Gwynedd Skip Hire Ltd, persuaded a local farmer to spread waste paper and wood on his land to improve the soil. However, Mr OGrady supplied the farmer with up to 70 tonnes of waste including treated and untreated wood, plastic, rubber and paper which was spread over a 16 acre-area contaminating the land.

Commenting on the case, Sian Williams, of the Environment Agency Wales, said: It is against the law and simply irresponsible to deposit contaminated waste on farmland in this way. The defendant knew this but chose to carry on with his actions showing a blatant disregard for the farmer and the environment.

Paper industry tackles mineral oil concerns

The paper-based packaging industry has taken action following studies which revealed that traces of mineral oils, found in ink on packaging, was making its way into the food chain (see letsrecycle.com story).

In the absence of clear regulatory guidance the industry has agreed on a European-wide self-commitment which will phase out the use of mineral oil-based printing inks and processes used to create packaging and food contact paper.

The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) and International Confederation of Paper and Board Converters in Europe (CITPA) stated: No single actor has an immediate and definitive solution to addressing concerns about mineral oil migration into food. The paper-based packaging industry is therefore committed to working with all the relevant stakeholders to better understand, and identify the most practical and effective ways to address these concerns.

MJ Church awarded certification for health and safety

Waste management company MJ Church has been awarded certification for quality, environmental and health and safety standards by Certification International.

MJ Church, which also has contracts in civil engineering and earthworks, achieved the ISO 9001:2008, ensuring first class quality, ISO 14001:2004, an environmental management system, and the OHSAS 18001:2007, an occupational health and safety management standard.

Commenting on the certification Steve Blower, managing director at MJ Church, said: Quality, environmental and health and safety practices are central to all of our operations. We endeavour to improve the systems we have in place for the benefit of our staff and customers. Achieving certification in these important areas is recognition of the procedures we have in place.