Under the contract, Smurfit Kappa Recycling UK will process 15,000 tonnes per year of Lancashire county council’s mixed paper, collected at the kerbside.
Lancashire Renewables, previously known as Global Renewables Lancashire, will transport the collected mixed paper to Smurfit Kappa’s materials depot in Blackburn.
At the depot, the paper will be baled for onward shipment to one of Smurfit Kappa’s network of paper mills for reprocessing into new paper for Smurfit Kappa’s packaging division.
‘Great fit’
Ian Ledson, general manager UK North for Smurfit Kappa Recycling, said: “Our Blackburn depot sits in the middle of Lancashire so it’s a great fit, not only from a carbon footprint point of view, but also from an employment perspective. The volume enables us to create additional employment opportunities which is great news for Blackburn and Lancashire.”
He added: “I am extremely proud that we have been able to offer Lancashire a sustainable solution for their household waste paper and look forward to developing the relationship further over the coming years.”
‘Committed’
Paul Bindle, general manager of Lancashire Renewables, said: “We are committed to finding alternative, more sustainable and environmentally-friendly solutions for Lancashire’s waste, and the new contract with Smurfit Kappa Recycling UK further supports this commitment. We look forward to continuing to build on our close working relationship over the initial contract duration and longer term.”
Smurfit Kappa UK
In the UK, Smurfit Kappa operates two paper mills, one in Nechells, Birmingham and one in Snodland, Kent. The company explains that with the taking in of recovered fibre, it has a “circular business model” which helps to “embed sustainability in every fibre”.
Lancashire Renewables
Lancashire Renewables Limited (formally Global Renewables Lancashire Operations Limited) was established for the operation and management of the two Central Waste Treatment Facilities (Thornton and Farington) built for the Lancashire Waste Contract. The company’s key objectives are to receive, treat and transport contract waste in accordance with the targets and service requirements set out in its Service Level Agreement made between LRL and its shareholder, Lancashire county council.
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