Newly refurbished HWRC opens in London
The centre serves the residents of four London boroughs: Lambeth, Hammersmith and Fulham, Kensington and Chelsea, and Wandsworth. It has been designed to provide a better service for the public by reducing queuing times and containing any queues within the site. The HWRC is also much safer thanks to a split-level design which physically separates the public from operational activities and a designated walkway that allows users to deposit a wide range of recyclable materials separate from the car movements of other residents.
Councillor Tim Ahern, chairman of Western Riverside Waste Authority, noted at the opening that this was the “final piece of the jigsaw” in terms of providing modern waste management facilities over the last ten years, in partnership with Cory, including the development of the Riverside EfW facility.
Peter Gerstrom, chief executive of Cory Environmental, said: At Cory we are very proud of our long term partnership with WRWA. This HWRC provides another element in our integrated service for waste, recycling, transportation and energy recovery.
In the near future it will be possible for residents to visit the Authoritys website to view the length of any queues before departing from homeThe new HWRC has a roof (with Solar Panels providing much of its electrical needs) and is enclosed on two sides – thus giving protection from the elements.
The HWRC has areas set aside for the public to deposit items for reuse, with donated items given to local charities or repaired onsite by REWORK, a workshop which supports young people on job seekers’ allowance by giving them experience and practical skills.
Concern over gap in waste sector safety
The Environmental Services Association (ESA) has expressed concern over a growing gap in the health and safety performance of its members compared to the rest of the waste industry.
The association has this week published figures showing that ESA members achieved a 20% reduction in accidents in 2011 compared to 2010, while the accident rate for the waste sector as a whole actually increased by 3% over the comparable period according to Health and Safety Executive (HSE)data (2009/10 to 2010/11).
“I would also emphasise that ESA is willing to work with other parts of the sector, to share the expertise we have”
Glenn Davies
Indeed, since the creation of the ESA Accident Reduction Charter in 2004, agreed jointly with HSE, ESA members have reduced accidents by almost 70%. The accident rate per 100,000 employees across ESA members was 1,327 in 2011. This compares to a figure of 2,050 for the sector as a whole (i.e. all private sector companies, local authority waste operations and third sector waste organisations).
Glenn Davies, chairman of ESAs Health & Safety committee, said: We are acutely aware of the inherently hazardous nature of our industry, whether our colleagues are operating heavy machinery or working in public roads on collection rounds. Thats why ESA and its Members have for many years made improving our industrys health and safety record an absolute priority.
However, the data we have produced appears to show that the progress we have made has not been matched across the rest of the waste sector. Every serious accident and fatality is a human tragedy, and we believe that this divergence is a cause for concern. As a first step, we would like to see HSE provide a breakdown of health and safety data by waste subsector to improve awareness of where the challenges lie.
“I would also emphasise that ESA is willing to work with other parts of the sector, to share the expertise we have, if that would assist in reducing accident rates elsewhere.
New Earth features in Sunday Times list
Waste treatment and renewable energy company New Earth Solutions have once again featured in the Sunday Times Tech Track 100 league table of the UKs fastest-growing private technology businesses.
Reaching number 37 in this years rankings, Dorset-based New Earth achieved growth of 78% to improve on its 2011 position of 69. During the last year the company, which employs over 160 people at five facilities across the UK, benefitted from increased sales volume at its existing waste treatment operations and its largest facility in Avonmouth, Bristol, commenced operations.
The Sunday Times Tech Track 100 league table ranks Britain’s 100 private tech companies with the fastest-growing sales over the latest three years. Tech Track 100 is compiled by Fast Track and published in The Sunday Times each September.
New Earth finance director, Darren Stockley, said: New Earth has positioned itself to benefit from the increased need to divert waste away from landfill and use more sustainable waste treatment methods. Our energy recovery technology, NEAT, will further position us as an industry leader as our energy plant in Avonmouth completes commissioning early next year.
Leftovers give Derbyshire pupils food for thought
Pupils at five Derbyshire schools have been getting creative in the kitchen this as part of Derbyshire county council and Derby city councils Love Food Hate Waste campaign.
Under the guidance of a trained chef, students have been making pizza from leftovers and finding out how to avoid wasting food.
Pupils are also learning how better storage, a greater understanding of best before and use by dates and using leftovers can all help reduce the 139,000 tonnes of food we throw away in Derby and Derbyshire every year.
Each child will be given a set of Love Food Hate Waste recipe cards and a spaghetti measurer to take home.
Councillor John Allsop, Derbyshire county councils cabinet member for Technology and Recycling, said: Around 30% of waste that Derbyshire residents send to landfill is food waste. By being a bit smarter in the kitchen, the average household can shave around 50 a month from their shopping bill.
Resource Recovery Solutions (Derbyshire) Ltd the councils waste contractors and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Shanks have organised the events.
Ellgia Recycling acquires Lincolnshire firm
Cambridge-based business waste recycling firm Ellgia Recycling Limited has acquired Carlton Recycling Limited for an undisclosed sum.
Based in Lincolnshire, Carlton Recycling Limited collects from customers who produce waste cardboard and paper throughout most of Lincolnshire, Newark, Kings Lynn and Peterborough areas.
Steve Crook, managing director of Ellgia Recycling said: We are delighted to acquire Carlton Recycling Limited. I feel the principals of the two companies are aligned and will enhance our operational coverage. Ellgia Recycling has invested significantly in the latest technology to help provide the now essential management data to our customers. We will be looking to introduce this technology to our new customers so they too can benefit.
Paul Appleyard, managing director of Carlton Recycling Limited added: Ellgia Recycling is an innovative recycling company which I believe provides great opportunities for the business, customers and staff. They have all the attributes to take the company to the next level. We would like to thank both our customers and staff, we are sure they will be in safe hands with Ellgia Recycling Limited.
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