Court throws out Ardagh challenge to Quinn plant
Irish-owned Ardagh had argued that, under European Law, the unitary authority was not legally able to provide retrospective permission as the plant had required an environmental impact assessment before its development in 2005 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Giving judgement, Lord Justice Sullivan, dismissed the argument as “an affront to common sense” and the presiding judge, Lord Justice Jacob, agreed. The court claimed that the legal position was so clear that it was not necessary to hear from either the council or Quinn Glass. It was added, that there was no justification for referring the point to the European Court of Justice and the court also refused Ardagh leave to appeal to the Supreme Court.
Adrian Curry, director from Quinn Glass, said: “We are delighted with the result of the Court of Appeal. It was an experienced and robust Court and I'm glad they had no difficulty getting it right.”
Ardagh Glass declined to comment.
Donarbon claims first boiler recycled under scrappage scheme
The scrappage scheme, which was launched on January 5 (see letsrecycle.com story), is intended to help improve Britain's energy efficiency and it could also increase the amount of scrap metal available for recycling. In what it believes to be the first boiler submitted under the scheme, Donarbon took delivery of the boiler, which was taken from a Cambridge household by energy firm Green Heat. The old boiler was replaced with an energy efficient ‘A'-rated boiler and Donarbon is now set to recycle the metal at its Waterbeach waste management site.
Sarah Clover, business development director for Donarbon said, “Donarbon recycles a large proportion of waste we receive through our construction and demolition waste site, and we are happy to be involved with recycling the metal from these old boilers to help make the new scrappage scheme as environmentally beneficial as possible”.
South East green businesses offered £7.8m funding boost
The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) is set to make £7.8 million worth of funding available to environmental companies in the region.
Split into £3.8 million worth of allocated funding and a £4 million loan scheme, SEEDA intends to focus on waste reduction, sustainable procurement and the development of green technologies. The £3.8 million will help 2,500 businesses to develop initiatives within a framework of six sustainability-led projects, with qualifying businesses having to undergo training and environmental audits in order to establish methods that boost profits through energy reduction. The £4 million South East Sustainability Loan Fund will provide additional support for businesses that contribute to reducing the region's ecological footprint. The fund will make between £20,000 and £200,000 available to every business that wishes to improve its green credentials.
Oona Muirhead, group executive director of strategy and support at SEEDA, said: “The funding from the European Regional Development Fund comes at a time when so many businesses are working to grow out of recession. Investing in going green will help businesses to cut costs, increase profits and support long-term sustainable prosperity in the South East.”
Southwark to hold ‘real nappy' advice day
The day long even at Kintore Way Children's Centre in Bermondsey tomorrow (February 9) is intended to offer advice and answer questions on a range of real nappies. According to 2005 waste figures for the London borough, around 2% of residual waste in the area was made up of disposable nappies and the council is keen to curb this amount. In addition, it hopes to promote the cost savings Southwark residents can make by changing to real nappies and claims that switching from disposables could be worth as much as £1,000 per child.
Councillor Paul Kyriakou, executive member for the environment in Southwark, added: “Parents considering real nappies are in a position to make a real difference to the environment. The Nappuccino events provide parents with the ideal opportunity to find out about washable nappies and their many benefits.”
Office firm hails tile recovery programme
Office refurbishment firm Amspec has diverted 20 tonnes of carpet tiles from landfill after it commissioned social enterprise Scout Enterprises to coordinate their recovery and redistribution.
The Wigan-based company contacted Scout Enterprises through Carpet Recycling UK – a trade association representing carpet manufacturers, producers and recyclers – in order to help reduce the number of tiles it sent to landfill. Under the agreement Scout assessed existing tiles and deemed them suitable for reuse. Tiles were then palletised and transported to Reading, Glasgow and North Wales for cleaning and re-sale in domestic charity and business settings. The costs of collection, a negotiated fee per pallet plus packing and haulage, were in part offset by the £1,200 saving in landfill avoidance; the equivalent of one and a half articulated lorries or 20 tonnes of carpet tile.
Andrew Maxwell, managing director of Amspec, said: “This was very much a partnership between client and contractor, to really achieve a reduction in waste requires a joint approach, but as contractors we will encourage this as much as we can and we intend to alert future clients to all the options for carpet tile disposal, and where possible secure their support for recycling or reuse.”
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