Ramshorn Group, one of the UK's largest independent suppliers of waste containers and compactors, has acquired Waste Equipment Rentals, a compactor hire firm.
The Stockport-based hire firm joins Ramshorn Group's other subsidiaries; waste container manufacturers Skip Units of Derby and Castle Container Services of Chesterfield as well as Pontefract-based Randalls Fabrications manufacturers of Simpak containers.
Alister Muirheand, managing director of the Ramshorn Group, said: “This is a very positive development for both companies and all our customers. Through Waste Equipment Rentals, we now have a significant presence in the hire sector with an expanded choice of compactors and with such prestigious customers as Biffa, Marley, Glaxo Smith Kline and SITA.”
Dr Tom Gibson, formerly of Waste Equipment Rentals, will continue in a consultancy role at the firm. He said: “With the strength of the Ramshorn Group behind Waste Equipment Rentals, the company is now ins a strong position to expand nationwide and build on its reputation for best value and customer service.
Pembrokeshire trials kerbside collection
Pembrokeshire county council has announced a pilot kerbside collection scheme for 3,000 households.
The county, in south west Wales, is currently delivering orange bags to households in Hakin and Llangwn ready for the first weekly collections on March 1. The bags will take steel and aluminium, cans newspapers, magazines, junk mail and plastics.
Councillor Brian Hall, cabinet member for environment and transportation, said: “If we are going to see any real changes and improvements to the environment, everyone should be encouraged to make recycling a way of life and not just a one-off activity.”
Pembrokeshire council has set targets to cover 40% of its households with a kerbside scheme by 2005 and 80% by 2010.
Petition calls for legislation on printer cartridges
Cartridge World's 55,000 signature petition, presented to Downing Street on Wednesday, has called on the government to ban “killer chips” in printer cartridges which prevent their reuse.
When it comes into effect next year, the WEEE Directive will stop manufacturers building equipment which cannot be recycled or re-used. But at the moment the DTI has classed printer cartridges as 'c;onsumerables' which means there are no recycling targets and manufacturers can use micro chips that prevent cartridges being refilled and re-used.
Pressure group Friends of the Earth is supporting the petition in its call for printer cartridges to be included as 'products' in the European Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive, halting the use of the so-called “killer chips”.
Friends of the Earth's resources campaigner Claire Wilton said: “Re-filling cartridges is cheaper for consumers and better for the environment. The government must support the re-use of printer cartridges by ensuring that they are covered by this new European waste directive. If it does not, this green industry will be wiped out.”
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