Fire hits Sheffield tyre recycling plant
Fire crews were called to the blaze at 10.55pm on Saturday (September 13) night, with an initial two crews later replaced by further sets of firefighters throughout the night and during Sunday daytime(September 14), until the final crew left at 3.45pm.
A spokesman for South Yorkshire Fire and Rescue confirmed that the cause of the blaze was currently classed as “doubtful”, meaning that it was “difficult to tell whether it's accidental or deliberate”, and an investigation into the fire was underway.
Recycling centre barriers raised
The bars at the entrance to the sites had previously been set at a height of 5' 9″ (175cm) to prevent traders from illegally abusing the sites, but, in recognition of residents' views and a believed trend towards higher vehicles, the limit has risen to 6' 1″ (185.5cm). Under the GMWDA's new waste management contract with Viridor, the authority is also expected to make more improvements to existing sites such as improved layout, more space to manoeuvre and the introduction of CCTV.
Councillor Neil Swannick, chair of the GMWDA, said: “We have taken on board views from residents and have raised the bar to give more of an opportunity to recycle whilst maintaining the Authority's ability to provide a physical deterrent to traders.”
Camden launches community composting
Camden Council has started its first formal community scheme to allow residents to compost kitchen and garden waste.
Those living in the Heathview housing co-operative are to be given a large shared bin in which to place their food and garden waste in a bid to cut biodegradable waste sent to landfill and produce a compost to use in their building's gardens. Having introduced training schemes to explain why composting is important, the council aims to set up a further five groups across the borough by 2010.
Councillor Chris Knight, executive member for environment, said: “By recycling this waste in compost bins, it not only breaks down in an environmentally friendly way but also provides a free fertiliser for your garden.”
Dual bins introduced in Poole
The 300 distinctive black and blue receptacles, which the council installed at a cost of £257,000, allow residents to recycle while out and about by putting paper, cardboard, plastic bottles, cans and glass in the blue section and deposit other litter in the black section. The new bins, which are also larger to prevent overflowing, mean that almost one third of all litter deposited in the bins is being recycled.
Councillor Don Collier, cabinet portfolio holder for the environment, said: “The public response to the bins has been brilliant, with 30% recycling rate for the bins already, it is clear that residents have taken their knowledge from the home waste scheme and applied it to the streets with ease.”
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