Foresight invests £4m in tyre recycling firm
Founded in 2005, Crumb Rubber processes used truck and car tyres into fine rubber powders, which can then be used to replace expensive virgin rubber in applications such as tyre retreading, and also to enhance the characteristics of plastic products such as roofing slates. The investment by Sevenoaks-based Foresight Group is intended to help Crumb Rubber accelerate research and development into new applications for the rubber and plastics market and optimise operations at it's highly-automated plant, which is capable of producing 20,000 tonnes of rubber powders a year.
Dave Young, commercial director of Crumb Rubber, said: “This investment gives us the means to broaden the scope of our business and drive future growth. Foresight's experience in the environmental infrastructure sector will be invaluable in helping us to take advantage of the opportunities that are now available to us.”
Smurfit Kappa awarded systems certification
The company was awarded the BS EN ISO14001 – an internationally-recognised certificate for environmental management systems – and the Occupational Health and Safety Management System Standard (OHSAS18001). Every employee at each of Smurfit Kappa Recycling's eight sites and depots received the BS EN 14001 certificate, after the company completed a year-long improvement programme to reduce the impact of its operations on the environment by cutting energy consumption and educating staff.
Gary Grant, UK operations manager, said: “Diverting recovered fibre from traditional waste outlets such as landfills has a positive impact on the environment and Smurfit Kappa Recycling has a proud history of diverting substantial volumes.”
Eastenders star launches phone recycling campaign
The ‘Simply Drop' initiative, launched in partnership with Recycle for London, is intended to allow London residents to recycle unwanted items in exchange for cash or a charity donation to one of five charities, including the Royal Mail's chosen charity, Barnardo's. Using a dedicated website, Londoners can select the make and model of their phone, camera or MP3 player from a drop down menu, and a value will be given. A pre-paid, degradable bag will be then be issued for safe postage of their item or, alternatively, the bags can also be dropped off at any London Post Office branch. In addition, 3.1 million ‘Simply Drop' bags are also to be issued to the capital's residents in the coming weeks.
Matthew Neilson, head of environmental solutions at the Royal Mail, said: “We anticipate that this will be a great fundraising stream for Barnardo's and all the charities involved. If successful in London we hope to roll Simply Drop out nationally.”
Kingston University wins reuse award
The award was presented to the South West London-based university by BBC wildlife broadcaster Kate Humble at a gala banquet at Imperial College London, in recognition of the five-year-old scheme which sees residents of the university's halls being encouraged to donate clothes and kitchen items that would otherwise be disposed of. Last year, 80% of all items went to charities within 12 miles of Kingston and 40% of all items went to charities within two miles, going to beneficiaries including Cancer Research, Princess Alice Hospice, Refugee Action Kingston, Community Furniture Project and Kingston University nursery.
Kingston University graduate Renata Rez, who has organised the scheme for the last two years, said: “We're really pleased to get the award because we work so hard to try to make sure as much as possible goes to local charities that we know and trust.”
Agency grants Saltend incinerator permit
The Environment Agency (EA) has issued an environmental permit to Waste Recycling Group (WRG) for its proposed non-hazardous waste incinerator at Saltend in East Yorkshire.
The new permit sets strict conditions governing the operation of the incinerator, which will be located at Queen Elizabeth Dock in Hull, to ensure that public health and the environment are protected. An application for the permit was first submitted by Northamptonshire-based WRG in October 2008.
Simon Firth, environment manager for the EA, said: “We have considered this application very carefully and we are satisfied that the incinerator will not cause any significan pollution providing it is operated in accordance
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