News in brief

Batteries consultation launched

Launched last week (August 11) the consultation will bring into UK law amendments to the Batteries and Accumulators and Waste Batteries and Accumulators Directive which were agreed in the European Parliament last year to ban the use of cadmium batteries in cordless power tools.

The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) is seeking views on its plans to transpose the EU Directive directly into UK law, taking effect from July 1 2015. Businesses have been given until November 5 to respond to the consultation.

The ban on the use of cadmium batteries would come into effect from January 2017, in order to allow the recycling industry and consumers to adapt to the relevant substitute technologies.

To view the consultation document, click here.

Bolton bulky waste contract awarded

Furniture Reuse Network (FRN) member Bolton Community Transport & Furniture Services (BCTFS) has announced that it has been awarded a contract to carry out bulky household waste collection on behalf of Bolton council.

The contract, which began on August 1, sees BCTFS collect all bulky household waste from residential properties in the Bolton area.

It is hoped that this will see reuse and waste prevention figures improve as BCTFS will enter the properties to access the unwanted goods, rather than picking up the goods from outside which can cause weather damage.

If goods are reusable or repairable, BCTFS will make them available to low income households from their three outlets in Bolton and Farnworth. The contract will run for 2 years with a possible 2 year extension.

Diane Firth, BCTFS chief executive, said: Were delighted to win this contract with our local council. We need access to the reusable waste in order to pass it on to low income households and people in crisis; and we think Bolton Council sees the benefit of this, and of the social value we bring by providing workplace and training opportunities to disadvantaged adults.

Biogen AD plant recognised for sustainability credentials

Food waste recycling firm Biogen has been awarded an excellent rating under the sustainability recognition scheme CEEQUAL for its 12 million anaerobic digestion plant near Baldock in Hertfordshire.

The facility was recognised for improving sustainability in civil engineering, infrastructure, landscaping and the public realm.

The AD plant, on track to be operational by November 2014, will process 45,000 tonnes of food waste each year from retailers, manufacturers and households.

Sustainability features of the plant include 14,000 trees planted to screen the outside of the facility, embankments around the plant adapted to form beetle banks, perching posts installed to encourage the return of birds to the area and an overflow basin on site adapted to provide a pond habitat for amphibians.

Nigel Sheppard, Biogens director of projects, said: This is a fantastic achievement for Biogen and for the AD industry. During the planning and construction phases of the Bygrave plant our priority was to protect the environment and to enhance the natural landscape wherever possible.

The majority of the site was initially considered to be of relatively low ecological value but now, as a result of our actions, weve actually succeeded in assisting the ecological diversity of the local area; we are absolutely delighted.

DS Smith publishes 2014 annual report

Paper recycling and manufacturing group DS Smith has published its annual report and sustainability review for 2013/2014, and has heralded the strength of its packaging, paper, recycling and plastics operations.

The report focuses on DS Smiths performance for the year, revealing that across the group operating profits were up 23% on the previous year at 307 million, delivering earnings of 21.4p and a dividend of 10p per share for shareholders.

Key among the developments during the year was DS Smiths decision to bring all of its operations together under one brand. The move, announced in November was intended to make a unified corporate identity, with its focus on sending zero waste to landfill (see letsrecycle.com story).

Writing in his introduction to the report, DS Smith chairman Gareth Davis, wrote: I am very pleased to report that 2013/14 has been another successful year for DS Smith, with the management team delivering market share gains, and significant profit and earnings per share growth. This has been achieved despite the economic situation across Europe as a whole remaining challenging. I am particularly proud of the way that previous acquisitions are now fully integrated and the Group now moves forward as a united organisation.

Waste helps create Wembley lions

Waste including cardboard, plastic cups and broken seats from Wembley Stadium has been used to create two lion sculptures which are currently on display at the stadium, home of the England football team.

Created by artist Faith Bebbington on behalf of the Football Association and the stadiums waste contractor Veolia, the lions have been made to remind staff and visitors to the stadium of the importance of recycling.

Pascal Hauret, Veolias regional director for London, said: This is a great example of the circular economy in action, using waste generated at the Stadium to create something special for the Stadium to be enjoyed by all.

It is very fitting that these Lions are being displayed in a Stadium where we have worked so well in partnership to achieve fantastic recycling rates and contributed to its success in becoming one of the most sustainable sporting venues in the world.