News in Brief

Joanna Curtis from the Liskeard Ladies models jute bags

A group of ladies in Liskeard, Caradon, have received an “overwhelming response” from local shoppers for selling re-usable jute “totes” in place of plastic bags.

The Liskeard Litter Ladies, who started as a band of litter pickers, were disgusted by the number of carrier bags they found by the roadside during the council's annual Litter Hitters campaign. The group received a grant of 250 from Caradon district council and invested in jute bags to sell for 2.50 at local events. The bags, which can be re-used and are biodegradable, have been very popular.

Councillor John Yaxley, Caradon's environment and recreation portfolio holder, said: “It's great to see local people taking positive action to tackle this problem, and I wish the Liskeard Litter Ladies every success.”

A European capital investment fund has paid around 83 million to take over Avery Weigh-Tronix Holdings Ltd, makers of weighing equipment for the waste industry and other sectors.

European Capital, which has invested over half a billion pounds since its formation last year, made the announcement from its London office last week. The newly-acquired company makes equipment including weighbridges, using the Avery Weigh-Tronix and Avery Berkel brand names.

Giles Cheek, European Capital Director, said: “Avery Weigh-Tronix is one of the few global competitors in the marketplace, holding a leading share in the core stable UK and US weighing markets. This makes Avery an especially appealing investment opportunity for European Capital.”

Argos' Autumn/Winter catalogue

Retail chain Argos has introduced catalogue recycling in its 668 stores across the country in a bid to become more environmentally friendly.

The retailer has made an agreement with paper recycling firm UPM Kymmene to send its old catalogues for reprocessing.

The launch coincides with the Lunch of Argos' Autumn/winter catalogue and is part of a wider drive by Argos to encourage consumer recycling.

Laurence Singer, corporate responsibility manager, said: “The launch of our catalogue is an excellent time for us to remind customers about the opportunities that exist for recycling. The initiatives are all part of Argos long-term commitment to help reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill.”

Telford-based waste container supplier Plastic Omnium has won a contract to provide Aberdeen city council with 400-litre four wheeled bins.

The bins will be used for commercial waste collections, and Plastic Omnium's selection as provider followed a trial of the bins in the city. Aberdeen will now take delivery of 200 of the bins, which will be distributed across the city.

Howard Kershaw, waste collection and transport manager at Aberdeen, said: “In the past we have struggled with manoeuvrability issues, but after trialling this new bin we are confident that we will see an end to those problems.”

Richard Mitchell (right) receives 150 from Paul Flight, general manager of Kier Street Services (left)

Waste management firm Kier Group has awarded 150 to a resident in Corby for recycling his household waste, under a new cash incentive scheme.

The waste company, which runs kerbside recycling collections for 24,000 Corby households, picked local builder Richard Mitchell from 1,100 entrants.

Mr Mitchell was given a VIP tour of a local recycling centre by Kier general manager, Paul Flight.

Mr Flight said: “We decided the launch a prize draw as our way of thanking residents for their commitment to recycling and to encourage others. Response to the draw has been so high that we are now looking to run it every quarter.”