A new collection centre has opened in Carmarthenshire helping farmers to recycle waste polythene.
The county council is running the scheme with Second Life Plastics of Llandeilo and Carmarthenshire Recycling. The drop-off point in Johnstown will take bale wrap, silage sheeting and feed bags at half price from farmers.
The pilot comes ahead of new legislation being introduced in the summer which will ban farmers from using traditional methods of waste disposal (see letsrecycle.com story).
The council's waste services manager, Phil Williams said: “Around 15,000 tonnes of waste silage film is produced in Wales every year. The disposal of this presents a huge problem for the agricultural community.”
He added: “The practice of burning and burial is damaging to the environment and will soon be made illegal under a new piece of legislation due in the summer.”
The plastics collected by the scheme are to be taken to a specialist company in Scotland to be recycled into garden furniture.
Camden fire fighters fight waste
Camden borough council has called in the fire brigade to do their bit to increase recycling rates.
 Camden fire fighters celebrate their new recycling facilities |
Camden council has supplied the four fire stations in the borough with recycling facilities and hopes to recycle more than eight tonnes of waste each year.
Cllr John Thane, Camden’s executive member for environment, said: “We need as many people as possible to get involved with our drive to recycle waste and the fire service are sending out an excellent message to our residents.”
Cllr Roy Shaw, deputy chair of London Fire and Emergency Planning Authority, said: “Euston Road Fire Station has made a fantastic start in reducing its environmental impact. The Brigade is looking at every aspect of its operation and, where possible, making changes to help the environment.”
Government recruits packaging waste advisors
The government is seeking two new members for its Advisory Committee on Packaging (ACP).
Chaired by John Turner, the committee advises the government on producer responsibility issues on packaging and packaging waste.
The government is looking for a compliance scheme replacement for Jonson Cox, who stepped down from packaging waste compliance scheme Valpak in January this year. A second vacancy has opened up for a smaller obligated business representative to increase smaller business representation on the committee.
Environment minister Elliot Morley said: “The ACP acts as a bridge between government and industry on all matters to do with packaging and packaging waste. It is therefore important for the ACP to reflect the full spectrum of business experience.”
New consumer website promotes plastics recycling
Plastics recycling organisation Recoup has launched a website to raise awareness of plastic bottle recycling among householders.
 Recoup's new website for consumers |
Following a recent report found that councils collecting plastics capture just 5.5% of the bottles in the household waste stream (see letsrecycle.com story), Recoup has said that there is a need to promote existing schemes to the public.
The new website is aimed at plastic bottle consumers and includes information on local authority collections and recycled plastics products. The online Learning Zone and Resource Library will provide schoolchildren and students with information for projects.
Recoup communications manager, Niki Audsley said: “The site forms part of Recoup's commitment to promoting the benefits of plastic bottle recycling.”
To see the new site go to www.plasticsrecycling.info
Register for free to comment