News in Brief

Waste electronics refurbishers Remploy is to recycle IT equipment from government departments, it has revealed.

As part of its “e-cycle” business, Remploy has begun recycling government computers and computer related equipment at its Preston, Leatherhead, Barking and Southend sites.

The company will be undertaking data-cleansing on the equipment where possible, and after refurbishment will be distributing it at low-cost. Any equipment that has reached the end of its life will be broken down and disposed of to the conditions required in the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive. More than 80% of the equipment is re-used, Remploy said.

General manager Noel Harasyn commented: “We have invested heavily in retraining in new skills and my colleagues have responded positively to the challenge. Our aim now is to increase the workforce so that we can expand our recycling business in line with market demands.”

The IT recycling operation at Preston will run alongside an existing white goods refurbishment line which takes washing machines and fridges that are re-useable and passes them back into the public domain.

The national recycling week, the Big Recycle, has set up a website in advance of its campaign launch on October 18.

The website – www.thebigrecycle.com – contains details about what can be recycled, how materials are recycled and provides information on recycling facilities and schemes in different areas.

For local authorities the website also features a range of communications materials to help them promote the Big Recycle in their region. It offers suggestions for activities local authorities can organise during the Big Recycle.

Andrew Hartley, director of strategy and communications at British Glass, one of the companies behind the Big Recycle, said: “We have designed this site to make it as easy as possible for local authorities to participate in the Big Recycle, we hope they will be widely used.”

The Homeless in Oswestry Action Partnership will be expanding its furniture re-use scheme thanks to new funding from the Community Recycling and Economic Development (CRED) programme.

The 119,730 award, drawn from the National Lottery, will go towards increasing the quantity and variety of items repaired and reused by the organisation.

The funding will help towards premises rental and improvement to workshop facilities, vehicle and equipment purchase, staffing and volunteer training.

Julian Price, Oswestry furniture scheme co-ordinator said: “The project wants to improve people's living environment and the wider environment, while encouraging volunteers from the community to gain experience and develop new skills.”