News in Brief

The Dennis Eagle brand is gaining global status with the new export deal with Chinese firm Associated Engineers

Midlands vehicle provider Dennis Eagle Ltd is celebrating a major export agreement to supply its refuse collection body Phoenix 2 to China.

The Warwick-based company has signed a partnering agreement with the Chinese subsidiary of Hong Kong firm Associated Engineers Ltd Group to produce body components to be shipped out for assembly in Zuhai in Southern China.

Dennis Eagle chief executive Mike Molesworth said: “The signing of the agreement is the culmination of many months of hard work that our Export Division has put into the project, and it also demonstrates the faith that our Chinese partners have in the engineering excellence of our Phoenix 2 RCV (refuse collection vehicle) body range.”

The Confederation of Paper Industries has published a new guide to its paper mill members in the UK.

The “Member Maps” is being made available as both a hard copy poster and on CD Rom, which can be updated regularly. Following on from the popular Mill Map last published by the Paper Federation in 2001, the Member Maps will include information on paper mills' locations and main transport routes as well as key product grades and mill capacities.

Emma Girard, CPI's head of communications, said: “CPI has spent a great deal of time researching how this product could be adapted to take account of the constant industry changes, without compromising on the information it has traditionally provided.”

Haydn Out of School Care Association centre in Nottingham was redecorated using paint from a Community Repaint scheme

Community schemes increase re-use of paint

National paint re-use scheme Community RePaint increased the amount of old paint it diverted from landfill by 15% last year.

Research from environmental consultancy SWAP found that 151,500 litres of paint waste re-used by the network's 62 schemes from August 2004 to July 2005. This was an increase of 19,000 litres from the previous year. The scheme involves members of the public donating unwanted paint at recycling centres and DIY stores.

Project manager Mark Gregory said: “Since its inception in 1993, Community RePaint has increased the amount of paint it has diverted from landfill year on year. With more schemes joining the national network we hope to redistribute even more paint in 2006.”

A new biodegradable plastic mailing envelope has been developed by a company based in Macclesfield.

Believed by manufacturers PAC 3000 to be the first of its kind in the UK, the “Eco Poly Jacket” is made from biodegradable polythene that breaks down in 18 months to water, carbon dioxide and a small amount of biomass.

The product is being offered at the same price as conventional envelopes used by couriers, publishers and mail order companies. Simon Greenway, sales director of PAC 3000, explained: “Many public organisations now have a clear policy in the use of degradable materials.”

The Waste Education Boardwalk at Perth's Friarton recycling centre is made from recycled materials

Perth education facility built using recycled materials

Perth and Kinross council has built a new education facility out of recycled materials at one of its recycling centres.

The Waste Education Boardwalk – or WEBWalk – set up at the Friarton recycling centre will lead visitors through a series of information panels, interactive elements and games. A recycling officer will also be on hand to answer questions.

The site has been landscaped with compost made from green waste, while plastic bottles and tyres have been used to make the boardwalk itself. Environment committee convener Cllr Mike Barnacle, said: “The council is taking the lead and showing people how recyclable materials can be simply and easily used in a practical way.”