Alistair McGowan to host Futuresource Gala Dinner
The event, which runs from June 15 to 17, is jointly organised by the Chartered Institution for Wastes Management (CIWM) and the Environmental Services Association (ESA) and is set to feature a host of speakers from the waste and recycling sector on the topic ‘More from Less' (see letsrecycle.com story). Mr McGowan, who was also the face of the first Big Recycle Week in 2004, which has since become Recycle Week, will entertain guests at the dinner with impressions, football witticisms and observations on environmental challenges facing society.
Mr McGowan said: “This industry has an important role to play in helping to stimulate and support behaviour change throughout society, developing innovative ways to recover value from society's waste, and promoting a better understanding of the contribution this can make to tackling climate change.”
Harlow hails “great response” to relaunched recycling service
Harlow council has praised the “great response” it has received from residents in the wake of a relaunch of its recycling service for clothing, batteries and small electrical items.
The Essex local authority now offers quarterly collections of the materials as part of its waste collection contract with Veolia Environmental Services, with the items themselves being collected by Harlow-based voluntary organisation ECCO. Under the first collection round, launched in the middle of February, 2,500 items were collected, including: batteries, footwear, household linen, radios and CD players.
Councillor Tony Hall, chairman of the council's environment & community committee, said: “It's important we recycle as much as we can to protect the environment and reduce landfill costs. We have had a great response since this service was re-launched and I would like to thank residents for taking part in this scheme so far.”
Organics firm Agrivert helps plant Oxfordshire woodlands
The woodland is part of a project to restore a closed landfill around the village of Stanford in the Vale and saw Chipping Norton-based Agrivert plant over 3,300 trees on the five-acre site. On the woodland planting day, time was also given to educate the Stanford in the Vale schoolchildren about the ecological value of the woodland and the importance recycling. Agrivert provided 60 tonnes of mulch to suppress weeds around the young trees. The mulch was made from local green waste composted by Agrivert less than five miles from the woodland.
Harry Waters, sales and marketing director at Agrivert, said: “There is a strong feel of partnership growing between Agrivert, Oxfordshire and the local community and this will form a firm platform for the ongoing full roll out of the food waste recycling within the county.”
Consultation launched on Scottish waste regulations
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on plans to consolidate waste management regulation licenses in the country in a bid to streamline the process.
The 12-week consultation was launched on Friday (February 26) and is driven by five factors, with the main aim being a reduction in bureaucracy and helping ensure a consistent approach with that of the Scottish Zero Waste Plan – which is set to be published in May. In addition, the consultation is also seeking a means of ensuring that any new or amended Scottish waste regulations are made by the time the revised Waste Framework Directive comes into effect in December 2010.
The consultation, which is entirely web-based, is open until May 21 2010, with parties invited to respond through the Scottish Government website: http://www.scotland.gov.uk/consultations.
Cory donates £7,500 towards van for furniture reuse charity
The FRP project was set-up in 1996 to provide recycled furniture and electrical goods throughout Gloucestershire and has, to date, supplied over 150,000 reused items. In addition, the voluntary organisation has also offered training and volunteering opportunities to around 50 young people each year. The organisation's existing van has carried out around 25,000 collections and deliveries since the FRP started and welcomed the donation towards a replacement from the London-based waste company.
Malcolm Ward, chief executive at Cory, said: “FRP is a highly regarded organisation that is delivering some really excellent work. It relies on volunteers and donations to keep operating so we're really pleased to be able to help secure its new van.”
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