Carbon impacts of kerbside collections discussed at MRF event
The one-day event held last month featured a host of speakers from the sector on the role of MRFs and discussions were held on the comparative merits of using commingled collections for dry recyclables compared to source separation. Euston Ling of London-based environmental consultancy AEA claimed that commingled collections produce 9.4kg less of CO2 equivalent per tonne than source separated collections despite the need for MRF sorting due to the higher quantity of material collected. This being the latest in a long-line of clashes between the source separated and commingled collection lobbies.
However, Mr Ling stressed that the debate was not a clear-cut argument. “The choice of service configuration depends on what needs to be achieved,” he said. “Different service configurations have different merits and whichever configuration is chosen, the objective is to maximise the environmental effectiveness.”
Recresco appoints national glass buyer
Mr Brooker joined Recresco in July 2007 as a member of the company's development team with the prime responsibility of sourcing glass to feed Recresco's recycling facility at Ellesmere Port. And, since joining the firm, Mr Brooker has increased his involvement in purchasing glass across the whole of the UK for all of the Recresco recycling facilities at Southampton, Newcastle, Nottingham and Ellesmere Port. In his new role, which took effect at the end of January, Mr Brooker will now be responsible for all purchases of glass for Recresco throughout the UK.
Tim Gent, senior director at Recresco, said: “The Board is pleased that this important post is filled from within the company as Recresco's policy is to encourage and develop the careers of its employees.”
Survey claims over 55s “most committed” to recycling
Householders over the age of 55 are the most likely age group to continue to recycle if kerbside services were removed, according to a survey commissioned by the plastics recycling lobby group Plastics 2020 Challenge.
The study, carried out online by YouGov, questioned how age groups would respond if potential council budget cuts lead to a removal of kerbside collections, found that 68% of over 55s said that they would continue to recycle if the kerbside service was removed. The poll also found that that 77% of households were dependent on women to carry out recycling activities. The younger generation was found to be less inclined to get involved in recycling with respondents stating that only 1% of children adopt any responsibility for the recycling in the home and 28% of young adults (18-24) said they were unclear as to what their local council recycles.
Barry Turner of the Plastics 2020 Challenge said: “We can't just rely on the older generation to get Britain's recycling rates up. We need to ensure that better infrastructure is in place to make it as easy as possible for all kinds of householders, including those in high-density housing and student accommodation, to get involved.”
Viridor launches fresh application for Ardley EfW
The application comes in the wake of the firm's original application for the plant in October 2009 being rejected by Oxfordshire county council (see letsrecycle.com story), a verdict that Viridor chose to appeal earlier this year (see letsrecycle.com story) and a public inquiry into the development set to take place in July was announced in March by the Planning Inspectorate. In the refreshed application, Viridor attempts to highlight the importance of energy produced by the facility and how it would fit into existing and emerging energy generation policies. If granted permission it is expected to take three years to construct.
Commenting on the submission, Viridor's project manager, Robert Ryan said: “We are making it clearer how urgent the need is for a residual waste treatment facility for Oxfordshire, very much in line with national, regional and local waste strategies and planning policies.”
Organics firm TEG wins four-year Perth & Kinross deal
Chorley-based organics recycling firm TEG Environmental gas won a four-year deal to process green and food waste collected at the kerbside by Perth and Kinross council.
The award of the contract comes in the wake of the Scottish local authority carrying out a trial collection of the material, which was coupled with a dedicated education and awareness campaign by the council and houses in the pilot area receiving a 7-litre caddy for food waste and ten free liners. The council now intends to roll-out collections to 55,000 properties by May 31 2010. Under the deal, material collected is set to be processed at TEG's Glenfarg in-vessel composting facility within the Perth and Kinross council area. The contract, which could be extended by a further two years, is worth between £470,000 and £1 million-a-year dependent on tonnages collected.
Jayne Pierre, commercial manager for TEG, said: “The council's policy of commingled organic waste collection means that the waste is good for us to compost for most of the year without adding any additional materials.”
Register for free to comment