News in brief

Swindon recycler fined for waste offences

Averies Recycling (Swindon) Ltd, of Marshgate Industrial Estate, pleaded guilty to causing a nuisance to neighbouring businesses with dust generated from its waste operations at Bristol Crown Court on November 13.

In addition, Lee Averies, an officer at the firm, was fined 2,000 after pleading guilty to causing the company to commit the dust offence by neglecting to ensure appropriate measures were in place or followed.

As part of the court proceedings the company has agreed to implement a raft of measures at both the Marshgate site and their Brindley Close site, which includes: a variation of their environmental permits with updated Environmental Management Systems, Dust Management Plans and an Odour Management Plan.

The firm will also construct a building to enclose the waste operations for which it already has planning permission. The Environment Agency said measures should result in both sites operating in compliance with their environmental obligations.

When contacted by letsrecycle.com, Averies Recycling Ltd was not available for comment.

Viridor issues warning over fraudulent emails

Waste management firm Viridor has warned clients of a potential fraud risk, after reports that an individual or group of individual claiming to work for the company had been emailing potential recyclate buyers on the companys behalf.

The waste services contractor has urged customers to be mindful of any contact they receive, adding any genuine emails from the company will end with @viridor.co.uk.

A spokesman for Viridor said: We do not wish to give potential fraudsters further promotion. Needless to say we have contacted our main customer base in addition to the website notice.

Police and relevant organisations have been informed, and customers who are uncertain have been asked to contact Viridor on 01732 229288 to verify the origin of their contact.

Veolia Essex contract gets underway

A nine-year waste contract between Essex county council and Veolia Environmental Services has got underway this month.

Awarded in May, the 115 million contract will see Veolia deliver services to 21 household waste recycling centres, adding ten sites in the south of the county to the eleven sites the firm previously operated in the north (see letsrecycle.com story).

Veolia will also operate five waste transfer stations, from which waste will be sent to a mechanical biological treatment (MBT) plant currently under development in Courtauld Road, Basildon.

Councillor Roger Walters, cabinet member for waste & recycling said: Our new integrated waste handling contract will ensure that we continue to deliver the best waste management solutions at the same time as providing value for money and the best quality of service for Essex residents.

Keith McGurk, Veolia Environmental Services Regional Director added: We are delighted to develop the partnership between Veolia and ECC. We are confident the relationship will help the Council achieve its aims, increasing sustainability and turning more waste into a resource.

CIWM & ESA accredited course launched

Copper Consultancy will run a social media course accredited by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management and Environmental Services Association on November 28.

The one day course, to be held at CIWMs office in Northampton, is aimed at communications professionals, project managers, and community engagement officers in small and medium waste management companies who want to know how social media can boost their campaign strategy.

The course is run by ex-BBC journalist Steve Bustin and will take an informal, interactive approach.

City Link appoints Biffa to reach recycling target

City Link has appointed waste services contractor Biffa to help it meet an 80% recycling target within nine months.

The target, set by the express parcel carrier, is part of a new waste management policy worth an estimated 1 million to be rolled out at all City Link depots starting this month. The deal follows City Links acquisition by Better Capital earlier this year.

Biffa will monitor and report on all the main types of waste being generated on a monthly basis, enabling City Link to focus on the types of material to recycle, assess tonnages involved and identify new areas for recycling.

Rob Peto, finance director of City Link, said: Through our partnership with waste specialist Biffa, which has helped many businesses improve their recycling performance, we hope to cut costs but more importantly to improve our environmental performance and reduce our carbon footprint.

Biffa will provide dedicated managers to support our depots, train staff and create awareness meaning that everyone within City Link will play their part.