News in Brief

TRA welcomes support for sector in Waste Review

The body praised Defras continued support of the Sustainable Clothing Roadmap, which is now being delivered by WRAP. It said this would be fundamental in delivering the goal of diverting more textile waste away from disposal into re-use and recycling, and supporting employment throughout the textile recycling industry. It also welcomed government plans to remove barriers preventing members of the community and charities from engaging in clothing collections.

And, it said that proposals to review the case for restricting the landfilling of textiles waste during this parliament is also significant but said this would need to be considered carefully with the engagement of the wider textile reclamation industry.

Alan Wheeler, national liaison manager for the TRA, said: “When the idea to consider restricting biodegradable textiles was first suggested by the Labour Government early last year, a consultation of our members revealed strong support for such a proposal.However, our members highlighted that it would be impractical to make a differentiation between bio-degradable and non-biodegradable textiles. This was communicated to the Labour Government at the time and subsequently to the Coalition Government during the Waste Policy Review. It seems as though they have taken this information on board”.

GMWDA re-launches 50k community waste fund

The Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) has re-launched its 50,000 Community Waste Fund following the success of an initial round of funding in September 2010.

The GMWDA is inviting community organisations and groups to submit proposals that demonstrate a positive effect on reducing the amount of waste produced and increase re-use and recycling. Projects that plan to help residents reduce contamination and increase recycling rates in Greater Manchester are being strongly encouraged, as GMWDA aims to reach its target of 50% recycling and composting by 2015. In order to aid applicants to the fund, which is set to be distributed in two funding rounds, the GMWDA has highlighted two examples of community organisations operating in the region, PEARLS and RE>BUILD, both of which successfully applied for funding under the previous Community Waste Fund.

Councillor Neil Swannick, chair of the GMWDA said: We are delighted to announce the Community Waste Fund for 2011, which will fund innovative community waste prevention and recycling projects to help benefit the environment and local communities. This is another step towards our aim of zero waste to landfill and can only be achieved with all of Greater Manchesters help.

SITA UK celebrates Green Companies accolade

Waste management firm SITA UK is celebrating being named as the first recycling company to feature in the Sunday Times Best Green Companies Top 60 league table.

The company, which has headquarters in Maidenhead, said that in its application for the annual Green List it presented three-years-worth of environmental data collected by its Quality and Environmental Management Systems team, as well as highlighting the work it was doing with Irish plastics-to-fuel firm Cynar. The league table sets out to identify and celebrate the achievements of British businesses that are demonstrating the highest environmental standards.

David Palmer-Jones, chief executive at SITA UK, said: To gain this highly-respected accreditation we have made great strengths to re-engineer our company. In doing so we are now generating more value from our customers waste, enabling them to reduce their environmental impact through our recycling and energy recovery activities.

SCA Recycling appoints business development director

Waste management firm SCA Recycling has appointed Simon Barnes to role of business development director.

In his role, Mr Barnes, who previously worked for the company between 1994 and 2002, will focus on developing relationships with local authorities and his work will include competing for tenders for dry mixed recyclables contracts.

Mr Barnes joins from his previous role as senior sustainability analyst at research firm IGD. At the same time restructuring within the company has seen two people promoted. Paul Wilson is now UK operations manager and Mike Harrison is logistics manager – both of whom have worked for SCA Recycling for a number of years.

Mr Barnes said: I welcome this opportunity to use my understanding of sustainability issues, supply chains and logistics to take SCA to the next level, while keeping quality central to everything we do.

“Quality has always been central to the companys work and its importance has never been so important than at the current time.

Recycling volunteers hit the streets in Leicestershire

A group of 13 Waste Action Volunteers have started work in Leicestershire to help promote recycling and waste reduction across the county.

Volunteers were recruited earlier this year by the Leicestershire Waste Partnership which represents Leicestershire county council and its district councils. The volunteers will encourage people to actively reduce waste through activities such as home composting, using real nappies, recycling and reusing unwanted items. The scheme is intended to give members of the public the chance to gain valuable work experience, get to know their neighbours, boost their CVs and do their bit for the environment. Volunteers are county residents who are willing to give 30 hours of their time over 12 months. The Waste Partnership said the Waste Action Volunteers initiative follows the success of the Leicestershire Waste Partnerships Master Composters scheme which was set up in 2008.

Guy Jackson, vice chairman of the Leicestershire Waste Partnership, said: Im delighted volunteers are working across the county to help people to prevent unnecessary waste and recycle more. Its a great example of volunteers working together to help improve their communities.