Tetra Pak installs machinery at Dublin MRF
Tetra Pak, in collaboration with other ACE Ireland members, has provided funding for the installation of robotic sorting technology at Panda’s materials recovery facility (MRF) located in Ballymount, Dublin.
This technology incorporates artificial intelligence that matches the accuracy of human visual perception.
The primary function of the new robot is to identify, pick, and sort cartons at the MRF, ensuring they are allocated to their respective dedicated streams. Following the sorting process, the materials will be transported to ACE’s specialized carton recycling facility in the UK, which is operated by Sonoco Stainland.
This dedicated facility ensures that the sorted cartons undergo appropriate recycling procedures, contributing to the advancement of a sustainable and circular economy.
Chief executive of ACE Ireland, Richard Hands said: “The beverage carton is a sustainable, recyclable, and renewable packaging choice used by Irish households as part of everyday life for many decades. As an industry we are committed to increasing carton recycling rates and improving recycling practices through targeted investment, the development of new technology, and working with industry partners.”
Commission’s waste framework criticised by EU Environmental Bureau
The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) expressed concern over recently unveiled plans from the European Commission (EC) to revise its waste framework directive.
The EEB has expressed its concerns over the plans because it believes the proposed measures may not be sufficient to address overproduction and waste within the food and textile industry.
Regarding food waste, the commission’s proposal includes binding targets for member states to achieve by 2030. It states “while this is a positive step considering the EU’s record levels of food waste and reports indicating that more food is discarded in the region than imported,” the EEB argues “that the proposed targets of 10% reduction in processing and manufacturing and 30% reduction at retail and consumption levels are too low to reach sustainable levels.”
In the realm of textiles, the proposal introduces plans for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems, requiring fashion brands and textile producers to pay fees to support waste collection by local authorities.
The EEB welcomes the harmonisation of EPR schemes for textiles and supports the Commission’s intention to implement “eco-modulated” fees and emphasises the need for ambitious policies that prioritise waste prevention, transparency, and activities such as reuse and fibre-to-fibre recycling, rather than merely financing increased clothing collection.
However, it stated EPR legislation should consider the impact on communities in the global south, who are often burdened with managing excessive exports of discarded EU clothing.
Orla Butler, EEB Campaigner said: “The EU must establish and attain comprehensive food waste reduction targets of 50% across the entire supply chain, from farm to fork. These targets should encompass primary production, extending beyond the manufacturing, retail, and consumer levels. Anything less than this puts the EU at risk of falling short of its climate goals, international commitments, and citizens’ demands.”
Gainsborough HWRC temporarily closes after fire
Gainsborough Household Waste Recycling Centre had to temporarily close after a fire broke out in one of the containers on Saturday, July 1st.
The incident occurred at the facility located on Long Wood Road when fire services responded to reports of a fire in a non-recyclable skip. Fire crews from Gainsborough and Misterton worked diligently for approximately four hours to extinguish the blaze, which was caused by an electrical item or battery mistakenly included in the waste.
Following the incident, waste and fire crews are urging residents to be cautious when disposing of electrical items and batteries. Due to the compaction of waste in both recycling centres and bin lorries, it is crucial not to discard such items in regular bins, as they can potentially start fires and endanger waste workers, the council said.
Councillor Daniel McNally, executive member for waste at Lincolnshire county council, said: “Thankfully no-one was hurt during the incident at Gainsborough recycling centre. But it is a reminder that we all need to take extra care to ensure we’re not putting electrical items or batteries into general waste bins.”
“This applies to anything with a plug, or that contains batteries, including non-removable batteries like disposable vapes or old mobile phones. You’ll find specific places at all our Household Waste Recycling Centres where you can dispose of electrical items and batteries. You can also recycle batteries at most supermarkets and other stores that sell them.”
Hazardous waste transfer station opened in Cardiff
The former president of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), Dr Anna Willetts, opened Forward Waste Management’s new waste transfer station in Cardiff on 26 June.
The station has been in operation since August last year but had its official opening last week. It has a capacity of 10,000 tonnes and is authorised to receive hazardous waste in solid and liquid form from across the UK.
Dr Anna Willetts said: “I’m delighted to officially unveil Forward’s new site this morning. There is a great need for compliant hazardous waste and chemical waste disposal solutions in the area and I’m sure that this state-of-the-art facility will serve their customers very well.”
Register for free to comment