Draft waste exemption regulations published
The draft regulations set out how the new exemptions system is set to work. The document reiterates Defra's decision to drop its earlier proposal to charge £50 for everyone registering for an exemption (see letsrecycle.com story). Other key points include the removal of exemptions for most Part B activities, the adoption of a risk-based system and making permits valid for three years instead of for life.
The revisions to the regulations were originally due to come into force in October 2009, but were delayed, in a move thought to be linked to a reluctance to increase businesses administrative and financial burden during the recession. The full document can be found at http://www.opsi.gov.uk/si/si2009/draft/ukdsi_9780111487112_en_2.
New Donarbon facility set to improve Fenland collection efficiency
The March facility has been built as part of Donarbon's £730 million waste contract with Cambridgeshire county council and its districts. It is hoped the new facility, along with changes to the collection rounds, will help to make the service more efficient and cost-effective. The new facility was opened by Councillor Geoffrey Harper, CBE, leader of Fenland district council and Councillor John West, mayor of March and Councillor for both Fenland district and Cambridgeshire county councils.
Mark Davenport, Donarbon's managing director, said: “We are extremely pleased to be working with both Fenland district and Cambridgeshire county councils on this exciting new project. We look forward to promoting further recycling with the local community with the flexibility and variety of the new facilities now available.”
Valpak launches handheld recycling guide with T-Mobile
Compliance scheme Valpak has launched a recycling guide to help people locate their nearest recycling point using a mobile phone with cell phone company T-Mobile.
The mobile phone application guide, which can be downloaded from the T- Mobile website, shows users both how and where to recycle standard household items, as well as more unusual items including mobile phones and Christmas trees. Users can also receive tips on how to recycle, links to useful recycling websites and can keep track of what they have recycled. Valpak has used its online database of recycling information – believed to be the largest in the UK – to develop the application.
Steve Gough, Valpak's chief executive, commented: “By teaming up with T-Mobile we are able to make recycling information, that was previously only available online, accessible to more people via new technology. This provides so much more for the householder.”
Kent county council competition promotes WEEE recycling
A Kent resident has won a new state-of-the-art television set after entering a competition at an event used by Kent county council to help promote WEEE recycling.
Jill Prentice, of Hythe, entered the competition to win £500 worth of new electrical items, sponsored by WEEE reprocessor SWEEEP and compliance scheme ERP UK Ltd. at the Hythe Venetian Fete, in August. The competition was set up to promote WEEE recycling in the area and inform residents of how to recycle electricals at the Shorncliffe household waste recycling centre. In addition to the competition a robot made out of WEEE by pupils at Harvey Grammar School was also put on display to highlight how waste electronics can be reused.
Belinda Moran, projects delivery manager for Kent county council said, “The fete was a great way to highlight the importance of recycling old electrical items. Any electronic and electrical waste can be recycled.”
Suffolk to put waste strategy before council
Suffolk County Council's Cabinet will meet next week (November 10) to discuss the inclusion of five residual waste treatment and four non-hazardous waste landfill sites in its Waste Core Strategy.
The meeting follows a 16 month period of public consultation on waste planning and waste policy in Suffolk, and the council will now meet to discuss the consultation and agree the principles of the strategy before submitting it to Government in December. It is believed that the cabinet will be advised to drop a residual waste treatment facility at Hepworth/Stanton near Bury St Edmunds from the strategy.
County councillor Guy McGregor, portfolio holder for roads, transport and planning said: “We are confident that four strategic sites will be sufficient for the treatment of Suffolk's residual waste and, as Hepworth/Stanton was the weakest site, I will be recommending that Cabinet approves its deletion from the Waste Core Strategy.”
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