PET trade body announces increase in collections
Figures published this week (July 19) by the trade association show that the overall collection rate for the waste stream rose from 46% of available material in 2008 to 48.4% of material in 2009. The increase in collections came at the same time as the amount of PET plastic exported to the Far East fell, with only 16% of PET collected being sent abroad for processing. This compared to 67,000 tonnes of the material being imported into Europe. The body claims that, at present, only 75% of collected PET is usable for reprocessing in Europe, with the remainder being comprised of caps, labels, residues and contaminants. Publication of the figures comes one week after it emerged that the price being paid for PET plastic in the UK had reached an all-time high (see letsrecycle.com story).
Roberto Bertaggia, chairman of the Petcore Board, said: “Recycled PET is a reliable and sought-after feedstock in the PET value chain and sustainable uses are being developed to utilise the growing supply of recycled PET. Whether PET bottles are recycled into one of the new applications, into another bottle, fibre, sheet or strapping tape the energy saving will be the same.”
SITA launches public engagement on Suffolk EfW
The company is proposing to build the plant as preferred bidder for Suffolk county council's 25-year, £612 million, PFI-backed residual waste treatment contract (see letsrecycle.com story). The proposed facility would produce energy from around 269,000 tonnes of residual waste per year and, once fully operational, the facility is expected to produce enough electricity to power 30,000 homes. Suffolk residents will be able to look at the plans for the facility at Great Blakenham, speak to the development team and submit views on the project at public exhibitions at Great Blakenham Village Hall on Thursday 22 July and Friday 23 July with a planning application for the facility expected to be submitted in December 2010.
Commenting on the project, James Dowell, SITA UK project manager, said: “We want to ensure that local residents are fully informed about the proposals, recognise why we need to divert waste from landfill and understand how the facility sits alongside the Suffolk Waste Partnership's goal to recycle or compost 60% of municipal waste by 2015.”
New Earth Fund nears £40m mark on second anniversary
A fund launched by organics recycling and renewable energy specialist New Earth Solutions to drive investment in the development of new waste management facilities has raised nearly £40 million following its launch in July 2008.
The fund, which was launched in partnership with Isle of Man-based investment fund providers Premier Group, and New Earth said, to date, it has delivered a total return of 23.5% to its investors despite the economic downturn. The fund is open to qualifying investors, has a listing on the Channel Islands Stock Exchange and is available through the products of many leading international life companies. The minimum investment in the Fund is £10,000 or £5,000 via an international life company or a self-invested personal pension (SIPP).
Commenting on its second anniversary and progress to date, fund director Dave Whitaker said: “When the fund was established two years ago we were certain it would be a success and we have been really pleased at the speed at which it has grown and the returns being delivered during such a turbulent time for financial markets.”
Food waste recycler PDM strengthens European links
The two firms have already worked together to develop the ReFood plan, which is set to see the development of a network of anaerobic digestion (AD) facilities and food collection services. The UK-wide network was first mooted in June 2009 with the aim of significantly increasing the scale and scope of food waste recycling in the UK (see letsrecycle.com story). Construction on the first ReFood UK facility is expected to start later this summer and it will look to build on Saria's German model, which is based on four rural anaerobic digestion facilities handling 60,000 tonnes-a-year of material from across the country.
Andy Smith, chief executive of the PDM Group, said: “We're delighted to announce our close partnership with SARIA. We have worked together over the development of the ReFood brand and as their technical solutions provided to the food chain so closely replicate our own, it made perfect sense to extend the relationship to the wider PDM business.”
BMRA members brief MPs on metal issues
Representatives of the metal recycling industry have met with Members of Parliament to discuss key issues and concerns for the sector.
At a luncheon held last week (July 14), members of trade body the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) met with Adrian Bailey MP, newly elected chair of the business select committee, and briefed Mr Bailey and other MPs on current and future trading conditions and the impact of government policy on the sector. Topics discussed included opportunities for the UK to become the world leader in the deployment of innovative, new, recycling processes and the challenges of gaining support from local planning authorities for new developments. Additionally, the metal recyclers highlighted the levels of unnecessary bureaucracy and duplication of regulation they believe they face on a day-to-day basis.
Commenting on the meeting, Ian Hetherington, director general of the BMRA, said: “Metal recycling is the largest and most successful recycling sector in the UK. By ensuring that modern joined-up regulation is employed, the government can help the UK metals recycling industry make its full contribution to the UK's balance of payments and the low carbon economy.”
Register for free to comment