News in brief

Scotland passes landfill tax legislation

The Landfill Tax (Scotland) Bill will for the first time allow tax to be recovered from landfill sites where waste has been disposed of illegally as a deterrent to unlawful disposal.

Scottish ministers also hope the bill will establish a replacement for the Landfill Communities Fund from April 2015, which will see landfill tax operators able to contribute 10% more of their liability to the fund in return for tax credits than is available under the UK limit for the same period.

With royal assent for the bill expected in early 2014, the replacement tax will be collected by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency on behalf of new Scottish tax authority, Revenue Scotland.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said: Landfill Tax is an important driver for change in Scotlands waste and resources management sector, making the price of landfill reflect its environmental and economic costs and helping to achieve a zero waste society and a circular economy where resources are valued.

Scottish Landfill Tax will better align tax and environmental protection legislation, regulation and compliance regimes in Scotland.

The announcement follows proposals to allow the Welsh Government full control of administering its own landfill tax, unveiled by the HM Treasury and the Wales Office last month (see letsrecycle.com story).

Competency certificate deadline imminent

The deadline for some waste operators to renew their continuing competence certificates under updated guidelines is set for February 28 2014.

In November this year, WAMITAB and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management announced changes to the continuing competence scheme would take effect from March 1 2014, which will see certificates date stamped with an expiry date effective from the second anniversary of accreditation. It is hoped by replacing the current fixed two-year period with a rolling programme, the scheme will become more flexible and accessible.

Operators who achieved certification between March 2009 and February 2012 will now be required to book their tests by the deadline in order to retain competency status.

Chris James, chief executive officer of WAMITAB, said: With the Christmas and New Year period coming up, those that fall within the dates specified need to book their tests as quickly as possible to ensure that they maintain their valid status. They will also need to consider scheduling a re-sit test if they do not pass within the timeframe, and should note that their next renewal date will remain as 29 February 2016, even if they achieve the test after the 28 February 2014 deadline.

WRAP to deliver Sustainable Electricals Action Plan

The Waste & Resources Action Programme is to deliver a sustainability plan on behalf of the UK electricals sector, following its publication of a report on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) reuse.

The sector will collaborate on new ways of implementing the initiative, which aims to bring businesses together to explore trade-in opportunities for electrical goods.

Previous WRAP research showing that around 25% of electrical and electronic products discarded by householders at recycling centres were suitable for reuse was corroborated by the organisations new report Switched On to Value, which brings together extensive technical investigations and new evidence from consumer research.

It estimates UK householders have at least 1 billion worth of electrical and electronic equipment in their homes which is no longer used but still holds significant value, with consumers unsure where they could trade-in.

Dr Liz Goodwin, chief executive officer of WRAP, said: The report indicates clear advantages to changing the way electrical and electronic products are made and sold. Adopting these new ideas would give customers better value and would help the UK take a step towards a more circular economy – keeping the products in use for longer and offsetting the global impact of making new products.

SWR teams up with Energy Cost Advisors

Waste management services provider SWR has joined forces with Energy Cost Advisors to add a range of energy related services to its portfolio.

The deal sees SWR gain access to services ranging from supply contract negotiation through to carbon and energy management, while it will deliver waste and recycling services to Energy Cost Advisors customers.

SWR chief executive officer Giles Whiteley said: This is a very logical move for both companies. Our customers have a similar profile and similar needs, and although our services are different, they share common cost reduction and sustainability goals for customers.

Key to this partnership is that both firms are truly independent of the end solution; the two companies share this value, a fact that made this venture possible.

Islington council extends food waste recycling

Food recycling in the London borough of Islington has been expanded to include 2,000 extra households.

The scheme, to be rolled out in time for Christmas, will eventually be extended to cover a total of 29,200 estate homes by 2014/15.

Residents currently participating in the scheme use brown kitchen caddies and free bin liners to collect assorted food scraps which would otherwise be sent to landfill. The waste is recycled at the Edmonton in-vessel composting facility before returning to Islington’s parks and gardens as compost.

Councillor Rakhia Ismail, Islington council’s executive member for sustainability said: “We’ve made it easier for thousands of residents on estates and in street properties to recycle more and throw away less. This saves us money for vital local services, as well as helping the environment.”