European Commission launches Retail Forum
The Forum, which was launched on Tuesday (March 3) in Berlin, intends to bring together retailers to discuss best practice in sustainable production and consumption, including waste minimisation. The Forum, which has its first working meeting scheduled for April 1 2009, includes environment commissioner Stavros Dimas, consumer commissioner Meglena Kuneva, EuroCommerce president, Senator Fearhal Quinn and Pierree-Olivier Beckers, representing the European Retail Round Table.
Stavros Dimas, environment commissioner, said: “By bringing the retail sector together with other relevant stakeholders, the Retail Forum can help to accelerate this process. I very much welcome the environmental commitments already made by a number of retailers who have joined the Forum, and urge others to follow their example.”
Lancashire bodies share best practice
Having invited waste professionals, including Lancashire county council, the Environment Agency and London-based social enterprise The Laundry, the day-long event involved presentations and workshops looking at a variety of subjects, ranging from income generation to more conventional commercial waste collections. The Lancashire Community Recycling Network (LCRN), which is led by Lancashire county council, was formed in 2002 to actively support and promote community based sustainable waste management initiatives in Lancashire.
Mike Stapleford from PROSPECTS Foundation said: “As a new representative for the PROSPECTS Foundation on the Lancashire CRN I didn't know what to expect from the day, but I met so many groups who shared the same aims as our organisation and I learnt a lot so came away feeling positive and full of ideas. It was a great day and I'll definitely use the network more in the future and attend similar events like this one”.
Selby prepares for alternate weekly collections
Selby district council is set to work with the SureStart family centres in the region to give parents of young families information and support on reducing household waste.
The council is offering drop in sessions for families at a number of SureStart centres over the next fortnight in the lead up to the introduction of alternate weekly collections in autumn 2009. The information sessions are set to include help and advice to reduce food waste and information about the financial support available for parents to use re-usable ‘real nappies'. This is in addition to general advice and support about reducing the overall amount of household waste.
Councillor Chris Metcalfe, chair of Selby district council's environment board, said: “We've found that some parents, particularly of younger children, are concerned about food waste and having to dispose of their nappies, which is why we're focusing on these areas.”
Viridor installs loading shovel at Trafford
The purchase of the CAT 966H shovel from manufacturer Caterpillar Industries follows the opening of a new Materials Recycling Facility (MRF) at the depot in the summer of 2008. Viridor claimed that the introduction of the loading shovel and the MRF had helped it to increase the recycling rate at the depot to 65%. The facility handles commingled plastics bottles, cans, and glass as well as mixed paper and cardboard sourced from Salford, Trafford, Tameside, Bolton and Oldham councils.
Ryan Dalton, assistant unit manager for Trafford Park, said: “The CAT 966H loading shovel is faster, quieter and more environmentally friendly than the loading shovel it replaces. Its increased efficiency and lower running costs will benefit Viridor in an ever competitive market.”
Camden opens “swap shop”
Residents in Camden are being invited by the council to take unwanted items to be reused at the local authority's “swap shop”.
Situated on Regis Road, Camden council is trying to encourage its residents to reuse items such as bikes and books by donating them to the store rather than disposing of them. The London borough claims that the site is one of the first in the capital and is seen as a means of keeping useable goods out of the waste stream as well as saving energy and valuable resources used in making another item. The site is open seven days a week from 8am to 3.45pm.
Cllr Chris Knight, Executive Member for Environment, said: “Being green doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming. Camden Council's new reuse centre is a simple and effective way to make sure unwanted treasures don't go to waste. This is a win-win solution which helps protect the environment and saves residents money at the same time.”
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