The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has set up a telephone helpline for waste managers to find out about new and near-market waste treatment technologies.
The helpline – 0870 240 9894 – is aimed at council officers and elected members as well as others in the waste sector. Part of the New Technologies component of Defra's Waste Implementation Programme, the new service will be available on weekdays from 9am to 5pm.
A Defra spokeswoman said: “The helpline can provide callers with impartial information on all current technologies including anaerobic digestion and gasification, as well as up-to-date best practice guidance.”
The helpline will also allow callers to register for a series of regional seminars on new technologies being held by Defra throughout England during May and June.
Apex gets another award under its green belt
Composting label Apex has been awarded one of four premier awards at the Business Commitment to the Environment Awards.
The SITA UK, Onyx, Cleanaway and Freeland Horticulture partnership was awarded for its work in manufacturing green compost as a peat replacement material for the retail sector. The award means it can now be put forward for the European Environment Awards, to be held later this year.
Stephen Wise, SITA UK's composting manager, said the award “highlights the professionalism that is being achieved in the composting industry and the leading role that Apex is playing to promote quality composting.”
The awards, which have been running for 30 years, recognise and promote environmental best practice across a wide spectrum of British business.
Redbridge offers green waste collections
The London borough of Redbridge has expanded its green waste collection service to cover all of its households.
Following last year's pilot, the council has lowered collection charges to encourage higher participation. Working with Shanks East London, the council now offers a kerbside collection service for garden waste for all its residents for 4 for up to 20 bags of greenery, or 2 for senior citizens.
Councillor Alan Weinberg, cabinet member for the environment and transport, said: “I am very pleased that the pilot scheme from last year has been such a success and that I am able to now offer this service to all residents in the Borough.”
Garden waste collected in Redbridge will go to Shanks East London’s Jenkins Lane facility before being transferred to the Aveley composting facility to be composted into a soil improver for use in landscaping.
Winchester unveils giant wheeled bin
A giant wheeled bin where children can “shop” for environmentally friendly products has been unveiled in Winchester.
The 3.5 metre walk-in bin is designed like an aisle in a supermarket, and will see children aged five to 18 using hand held bar code scanners to find out what happens when their household rubbish is recycled.
Winchester is working as part of Project Integra, Hampshire's waste management partnership, which includes Hampshire County Council and Onyx subsidiary Hampshire Waste Services. Children from Padnell Junior School, Cowplain, officially opened the wheel-bin this week.
Project Integra chair, councillor Roland Dibbs said: “This exciting new exhibit gives a new and innovative platform for promoting waste awareness to Hampshire's young generation. Children are a very important audience during the challenging times we have ahead of us as we face up to the government's targets to improve our recycling rates to above 40 per cent.”
Subscribe for free