News in Brief

50th member for Wood Recyclers Association

The WRA, formed in March 2001, with only six members but has grown quickly and TRADA Technology, the Timber Research & Development Agency, has become the latest to join. Only last week, the organisation published its first annual wood market statistics and aims to launch the Wood Packaging Protocol this week, followed by a Wood Recyclers' Code of Practice and a Guidance Workbook (see letsrecycle.com story).

Geoff Hadfield, chairman of the WRA, said: “The consistent growth of the association over the last seven years reflects the growing size and importance of this sector.”

SME Recycling scheme launched in Yorkshire

The recycling and waste management specialist has introduced the multi-material, co-mingled service with the intention of helping businesses to recycle more of their waste.

Ken Davidson, Yorwaste's sales and marketing manager, said: “Recycling at work is the sensible and sustainable thing to do. Recycling waste materials means that less rubbish goes to landfill and, with landfill tax rising by 33% this year, from £24 to £32 per tonne, our new service will save firms significant amounts of money.”

Ray Georgeson joins Resource Futures

Ray Georgeson, formerly of WRAP and Waste Watch, has joined resource management consultants Resource Futures as a Non-Executive Director.

The Resource Futures are a multi-disciplinary consultancy, who formed following the merger of Network Recycling, SWAP and the Recycling Consortium in 2006. The board decided to appoint Non-Executive Directors to help provide external input on strategic issues and are thrilled that Georgeson has joined.

Jane Stephenson, CEO of Resource Future, said: “Ray has a long career of being at the forefront of strategic developments within the resource management field and we are delighted that he has agreed to join the board.”

Slough residents to receive new wheeled bin

Domestic recycling in Slough will get a facelift in the autumn with all residents set to receive a new red wheeled bin for their recyclable waste.

In October, all households will receive a bin intended for paper, card, cans, food cans, drink cans, glass bottles and jars and, for the first time, plastic bottles. The red bin, kerbside collection format will replace the current black box scheme.

Councillor Satpal Parmar, commissioner for environment and open spaces, said: “I would urge all residents when they get their red bins to use it to its full potential to help reduce the tonnes of waste that go into landfill every year.”

Leicester celebrates rocketing recycling rates

Leicestershire's county council has seen a surge in recycling and a reduction in waste going to landfill over the last year, according to figures in a report released this week.

The report, which was presented to Leicestershire's ruling cabinet, shows that the amount of county waste recycled or composted rose from 42% to 47%, while waste sent to landfill fell from 57% to 52%. The amount of household waste collected per person also fell by 1.2%. The county council praised schemes such as: improved recycling facilities; trials of food waste collection; home composting promotions; distribution of reusable shopping bags; the promotion of real nappies; and increased awareness in schools and the community.

Nick Rushton, the council's cabinet member for waste, said: “These figures show that the people of Leicestershire are backing our campaigns to reduce our rubbish and recycle more.”