Association for Organics Recycling launches new website
The trade association has added a host of new features including a members' area, which provides specific technical information, and a member directory. The directory allows AfOR members to use a map-based search function to locate other members' sites by category or location and the trade association claims that greater search options have been added throughout the site. This includes a scrolling news section on the home page, as well as an online poll. In addition, a newly created health and safety area of the website to provide guidance and case studies in order to assist members in develop a safe working environment for their employees.
Jeremy Jacobs, managing director of AfOR, said: “AfOR recognise the importance of providing accurate and up to date information to members, whether it relates to National issues which are relevant to biodegradable resource management or more specifically information relating to compost and compostable packaging certification through the PAS 100 and EN13432 certification schemes.”
Veolia officially launches Medway recycling contract
The event was attended by leading representatives of the council and the French-owned company and marked the commencement of the contract announced in July, which will see Veolia cater for recycling and street cleansing in the unitary authority for the next 25 years (see letsrecycle.com story). Under the contract, Veolia intends to develop a £2.3 million waste transfer station at Strood as part of the contract, with material being bulked at the Whitehall Road site before being sent to Veolia's materials recycling facility at Rainham in Essex for sorting. And, Veolia will also introduce twin-stream dry recycling collection for residents, separating paper and card from glass and plastic bottles, as part of its bid to boost the council's recycling rate to 40% by the end of 2011.
Speaking at the event, Denis Gasquet, chief operating officer of Veolia Environmental Services, said: “We are delighted to have won this contract renewal which reflects the existing high service levels provided by our staff and the quality of the partnership we have established with Medway council.”
Scottish Government begins scrutiny of Scotland Bill
The Scottish Government has said it has “moved quickly” to enable it to scrutinise the proposed Scotland Bill – which could give it the powers to set its own rate of landfill tax.
The Scottish Government has lodged a legislative consent memorandum to allow its parliament the maximum amount of time to assess the implications of the legislation, which would hand Scotland greater autonomy over its taxation. The Scotland Bill was first mooted in May 2010 (see letsrecycle.com story) and would look to bring about the recommendations forwarded by the Calman Commission – which claimed that landfill tax would be among a raft of taxable practices suitable for devolution. The potential for a different level of landfill tax in Scotland as opposed to the rest of the UK has courted criticism from some quarters, with trade body the Scottish Environmental Services Association warning that it could encourage criminals to exploit price variation between countries (see letsrecycle.com story).
At this stage specific details of the impact on landfill tax remain vague, however, the Scottish Government has stated that detailed work will be undertaken by a Parliamentary Committee, but the whole Parliament will have the opportunity to debate the changes proposed.
Simon Catford appointed to Viridor board
Mr Catford previously held the role of director of human resources for the waste management company and his appointment is said to reflect the “continuing fast growth” of Viridor. In his new capacity, Mr Catford will undertake responsibility for tasks such as environmental compliance, as well as health and safety, training and – as at present – human resources. Mr Catford has been in the waste and recycling industry for 20 years, having worked for Kent-based Blue Circle Industries until its acquisition by Haul Waste in 1995 – this firm was rebranded Viridor in 1999. Mr Catford chairs the Environmental Service Association's human resources committee, as well as the Waste Industry Skills Initiative (WISKI) forum and is a non-executive director of Energy and Utility Skills Ltd, the Sector Skills Council for the electricity, gas, waste and water industries.
Colin Drummond, Viridor's chief executive, said: “Simon brings a wealth of experience to the board which will certainly contribute towards achieving our business objectives and further enhance our CSR activities.”
Trade body ADBA welcomes AD framework plan
The Anaerobic Digestion and Biogas Association (ADBA) has welcomed the publication of the coalition government's framework plan for anaerobic digestion (AD).
The trade body welcomed the draft document launched earlier this week, which is intended to help drive the development of the technology in the country and feed into a more comprehensive study set to be published in May 2011 (see letsrecycle.com story). The ADBA said it welcomed the framework document and it had already established 11 working groups with a focus on key areas identified in the document. Furthermore the trade association said it is working with the government to help break down existing road blocks to development of anaerobic digestion in the UK, which it claims will be “one of the most important renewable industries in the UK”.
Commenting on the framework document, Lord Redesdale, chairman of ADBA, said: “The document shows that the government will have to work closely with industry to achieve the huge increase in energy-from-waste through AD set out in the coalition document.”
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