Window firms in North West trial SME recycling scheme

The trial is focussing on commercial organisations in the window replacement and glazing sector, and is being managed on behalf of WRAP by consultancy Axion Recycling.

Axion has already been involved in the recycling of glass and PVC waste from windows through the Recovinyl scheme

Although flat glass and PVC will be the main materials collected through the new scheme, it is also hoped that metal, paper, plastic film, cardboard and wooden pallets will eventually be collected for recycling as well.

Axion, which has offices in London and Stockport, has already been involved in the recycling of window waste through its Recovinyl PVC recycling initiative, run since last year working with the British Plastics Federation.

Explaining the reasons behind new project, the Waste and Resources Action Programme said many small businesses do not currently recycle their waste, and that effective ways must be identified to help the divert material from landfill.

Liz Morrish, SME recycling project manager, said: “This trial is aiming to identify convenient and effective methods of enabling smaller businesses in the glazing and window replacement sector to recycle. The services provided will collect a wide range of materials for recycling and by doing so make it easier for these businesses to deal with their waste sustainably.”

Approaches
Two approaches will be taken in the new scheme – placing collection containers at four waste transfer stations in Liverpool and Manchester for the businesses to use and placing collection containers at the premises of individual companies.

The approach involving the waste transfer stations will be used for the smaller companies, with businesses invited to drop off their waste materials on completion of installation work. The materials will then be separated at the transfer stations for reprocessing.

Slightly larger companies that have the capacity for collection containers and generate larger volumes of material will have their waste collected from their premises.

Roger Morton, director of Axion Recycing, said: “We are really keen to make this trial work as a demonstration for other companies in the windows sector. There is strong consumer interest in recycling and in addition the PVC industry has established the Recovinyl initative, which provides cash incentives to encourage PVC window recovery. We hope the WRAP trial along with these other factors will encourage more UK window companies to realise the benefits of recycling.”