GMWDA makes re-appointments
At the body's annual general meeting last week (June 18), the GMWDA voted to retain the two councillors in the roles they held when it achieved financial close on its 25-year, waste PFI contract with Viridor Laing in April 2009 (see letsrecycle.com story) . Cllr Young joined the GMWDA in 2005 and became vice-chair in 2007, while Cllr Swannick joined in 1999 and was named chair in 2001.
On his reappointment Cllr Swannick commented: “I am delighted to have been re-elected and to have the opportunity to continue supporting GMWDA. I am very much looking forward to working with new and returning Members. This year will see the Authority delivering further facilities and I see my role as driving forward further initiatives with the ultimate aim of achieving zero waste.”
Harborough teams with Straight
The Leicestershire local authority ran a trial of the service at the start of May using a 23-litre Straight kerbside caddy and a five-litre kitchen caddy and has now taken the option to extend the rollout of its food waste collections to all 36,000 households in the area. The council, which currently has a 53.7% recycling rate, hopes to divert 3,500 tonnes of food waste from landfill each year through the service, after stating it was impressed with the response of residents under the trial of the scheme.
Councillor Steve Charlish, portfolio holder for environmental service delivery at Harborough district council, said: “In terms of recycling, Harborough is already one of the best performing districts in the country. However, we would like to improve further and also wanted to be the first council in the county to launch a food waste collection.”
SITA launches consultation for Perth gasification plant
Waste management firm SITA UK has launched a public consultation on plans to build a waste gasification plant at the Binn Farm Eco Park in Perthshire.
The waste management firm opted to revise its plans for the site in April 2010 after having received permission for an energy-from-waste plant to be built there from Perth and Kinross council in September 2007 (see letsrecycle.com story). The French-owned company has issued leaflets to residents in the Tayside area about the planned 60,000 tonnes-a-year capacity municipal waste treatment plant and intends to hold public exhibitions about its proposal in the region this week.
Martin Cracknell, strategic development manager for SITA UK in Scotland, said: “We're looking forward to hearing the views of local people in the communities around the Binn Farm site about our plans and we have a team of experienced SITA UK staff available to answer any questions that people have about this proposal.”
Veolia starts to use ‘ultra-clean' RCVs in Camden
Supplied by Warrington-based dealer Enza, the 39 RCVs are among the first to be delivered into service since Mercedes-Benz opted to equip its municipal chassis range with engines which meet the Enhanced Environmentally-friendly Vehicle (EEV) emissions standard. The RCVs are 6×2 Econic 2629LL models with rear-steer axles and Geesink Norba compactor bodies. Power is provided by the six-cylinder 210kW (286hp) OM 906 LA engine. Veolia was awarded a seven-year, £140 million extension to its waste contract with Camden in January 2009 (see letsrecycle.com story).
Commenting on the new RCVs, Rob Stubbs, Veolia fleet director, said: “Environmental issues are invariably at the top of the agenda. We are keen, therefore, to do everything possible to improve our emissions profile, and the clean, ‘green' EEV-engined Econic is certainly going to play a significant role in helping us to achieve this goal.”
Caption: Veolia has ordered 39 of the Mercedes-Benz Econic RCVs as part of its seven-year contract extension with the London borough of Camden
Powerday sponsored cycling team takes on Tour de Force
A specialist cycling club sponsored by construction and municipal waste recycling firm Powerday has announced its participation in the Tour De Force 2010.
The R2R (Rugby-to-Riding) cycling club aims to provide former or retiring rugby players with an opportunity to continue sport while also gaining sponsorship for charities. The team, which includes Powerday's sales and marketing director Simon Little, is raising money for the William Wates Memorial Trust and will cover the Tour De Force route two weeks before professional riders follow the exact same 20 stage route for the Tour De France. R2R has a set a target of recycling £20,000, with sponsors being accepted at www.bmycharity.com/simonpowerday.
Mr Little said: “Two of the R2R team head to France on Friday and the rest of us will be on our way at the beginning of July. We are as ready as can be expected for the Tour de Force and looking forward to the challenge as we as to raising some money for a very worthy cause.”
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