Resident's call for local battery recycling, claims ERP poll
In the poll, which was commissioned by ERP, 80% of respondents said that they would be more likely to recycle batteries if there was a local battery recycling point. The survey also discovered that 38% said they expected to give or receive Christmas gifts requiring batteries this Christmas, while other respondents explained that they would like to receive electrical gifts such as laptops, games consoles and power tools. Respondents were asked which places they would be most likely to take a battery for recycling, with 51% saying they would take batteries to a council recycling centre and 36% responding shops which sell batteries.
Scott Butler, general manager at ERP, said: “Christmas is a boom time for battery buying. And it's obvious from the survey results that people want to recycle batteries. This Christmas can be a little bit greener, if people keep batteries out of the bin and ready to take to a collection point in the New Year.”
Yorkshire paper recycling body focuses on growing sector
CO2Sense Yorkshire, which is funded by Yorkshire Forward and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), has launched the support programme to work with Yorkshire and Humber paper recyclers to help them increase paper collections, increase sales and create jobs. The launch was made at a day-long event at the QHotel Leeds with members of the paper sector, local authorities and business support agencies attending and a keynote address from Mike Burgess, sourcing manager of paper recycling firm UPM-Kymmene.
Mark Gregory, paper project manager for CO2Sense Yorkshire explained: “The launch of the CO2Sense paper and board programme provided an opportunity for the region's paper recyclers to share knowledge and ideas with us so that together we can divert more of the 500,000 tonnes of paper needlessly going to landfill each year in Yorkshire and Humber.”
Bristol firm calls for used cooking oil to complete bus trial
Bristol-based bus company First UK is calling on Bristolian businesses and residents to donate used-cooking oil to its Chipper Bus project this Christmas.
The Chipper Bus was launched as a six-month trial in March 2009 in partnership with Bristol-based fuel company McKeown Bio Fuels and runs on 100% biodiesel made from waste cooking oil. The scheme was supposed to end in November, however, this has been extended by a further six months in order to complete the trial due to 36 of the 123 days requiring normal diesel as a result of a lack of supply. First UK is determined to run a valid six month trial though and is appealing to other businesses and individuals in the city to come forward to donate any waste cooking oils they have.
John Bickerton, engineering project manager for First UK Bus, said: “We'd like to appeal to any businesses with staff canteens, or restaurants using large amounts of cooking oil to donate their waste oils to us. Our fuel partner McKeown can collect the oils for free, and even supply fresh oils to those who want them.”
Staffs county council adds bin-handling vehicles to fleet
Bought from the UK and Ireland distributor for Sennebogen, Hassells of Stoke-on-Trent, the two 11-tonne machines feature a hydraulic ‘quick-change' device intended to help improve the ease and efficiency of bin-lifting operations. Both machines have also been ‘beefed up' by Hassells and have the option of a compaction framework attachment to allow compaction of the waste in the bins. Furthermore, Hassells also supplied a set of fork-lifts with each machine which has added a third option to the machine handling for the county council.
Fred Marsden, Staffordshire county council's waste facilities manager, said: “The versatility of these machines allows them to carry out many different tasks around the site one of which is the manoeuvring of the containers thereby reducing the demand on other service vehicles.”
Waste firm Donarbon launches revamped website
Cambridgeshire-based waste management firm Donarbon has launched a revamped website to coincide with developments it has made at its Waterbeach Waste Management Park.
The company, which has a 28-year waste PFI contract with Cambridegshire county council, opened a £42 million mechanical biological treatment facility at the site at the start of November (see letsrecycle.com story) and said that the website update is intended to cater for increased interest in the company since the opening. Developed by local media company Cambridge Digital, the new donarbon.com is also geared towards schools with sections focusing on education visits to the Waterbeach site and an online learning zone as well.
Mark Shelton, waste promotions manager for Donarbon, said: “The response we have had from all sectors to the opening of the MBT plant, the education centre and other new facilites including an in-vessel composting system has been amazing.”
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