Defra launches online calculator for battery retailers
The regulations which is set to come into force for retailers – or distributors – on February 1 2010 (see letsrecycle.com story), will mean that anyone who supplies more than 32kg of portable batteries a year – equivalent to a single four-pack of AA batteries a day – must provide a free take-back service for waste portable batteries, and inform end-users about that service. For those in doubt the calculator works out the weight of the number of batteries the retailer supplies in a year and if they are required to provide recycling collection points. Defra has also produced downloadable posters for retailers, to help them meet their obligation to inform end-users about their take-back service, while the new calculator can be found here: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/producer/batteries/calculator.htm
In a statement, Defra added: “Distributors of portable batteries should also be aware that the VCA (an Executive Agency of the Department for Transport) has been appointed as the distributor enforcement body for battery recycling. The VCA's role, with effect from the February 1 2010, will be to provide help and advice to distributors to help them meet their new obligations.”
Viridor hails West Sussex WEEE recycling rates
Waste management firm Viridor has claimed that the amount of waste electrical and electronic (WEEE) items collected from West Sussex household waste and recycling sites rose by 100 tonnes in 2009 compared to 2008.
The company, which operates 11 sites on behalf of West Sussex county council, claimed to have recycled 8,458 tonnes of items in 2009. Among the biggest increases were in small WEEE, such as toasters and kettle, which accounted for 2,662 tonnes – an 11.6% rise on the amount of small WEEE recycled in 2008. Viridor said that the figures showed West Sussex residents were, on average, recycling 11.22 kg of WEEE per head – which the Taunton-based firm claimed was one of the UK's largest amounts.
Bill Griffiths, national recycling manager at Viridor, said: “We have been collecting WEEE at the sites for two-and-a-half years now with levels of recycling increasing year on year. From day one we expected high volumes of small electrical items but we also know that there's more work to be done raising peoples' awareness about recycling such items.”
Esther Rantzen visits Luton plastics recycling firm
The facility, which opened in July 2009 (see letsrecycle.com story), converts waste mixed plastic into a plywood substitute board called EcoSheet using a bespoke ‘Powder Impression Moulding' technology developed by the firm. Mrs Rantzen is currently a Independent Parliamentary candidate for Luton South and visited the site to see innovation in the region in the field of waste and recycling. Once the plant is at full production in spring 2010, 2K Manufacturing is hopeful of helping to divert 30,000 tonnes a year of mixed plastic that would have otherwise been landfilled.
Omer Kutluoglu, co-founder of 2K Manufacturing, said: “Through a unique process, we can recycle that plastic waste into a brand new product that can be used again and again for a variety of different purposes; from caravans and supermarket signs to cubicles in hospitals. The opportunities are endless, which can only be a good thing for the environment.”
EA undertakes raids of Essex illegal waste sites
The Environment Agency, with the support of Essex police, has undertaken a complex series of raids on illegal waste sites in the region this week (January 19).
A total of 28 Agency officers, along with police officers and officers from the UK Border Agency and BT, carried out an operation on the Morelands Industrial Estate in Rettendon and arrested four men, who are now being question at a local police station. The EA said that the site had a history of being an unlicensed depot, with storage and treatment of waste – mostly scrap metal and end-of-life vehicles (ELVs). Intelligence gathered indicated that activities across the complex had significantly grown over the past year and officers carried out a detailed search of the site and premises, finding many scrap vehicles still containing hazardous substances such as oil and brake fluid, and piles of other scrap metals. Items suspected to be waste electrical and electronic equipment were also found.
Matt Butcher, environment management team leader at the Environment Agency, said: “We take the problems of illegal waste very seriously and work in close partnership with other agencies, such as the police, to ensure appropriate action is taken against those believed to be committing these offences.”
Leeds council adopts “UK's first” carbon-reduced RCV
The Yorkshire council performed a six-month trial of the Mercedes-Benz Econic 2628LLG before purchasing it and will now monitor its performance in terms of fuel savings and reductions in greenhouse gases. The gas-fuelled Econic is be used in many cities across Europe such as Milan, however, Mercedes claimed that Leeds is the first UK council to adopt the vehicle. Leeds city council worked with the government-funded Energy Saving Trust to measure the carbon footprint of its 1,200-strong vehicle fleet, and identify areas where reductions could be made.
Terry Pycroft, Leeds city council's head of fleet services, said: “Like all local authorities we are striving to meet carbon reduction targets and we see this Mercedes Econic as offering the potential to make some very significant savings.”
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