News in brief - 1 March 2013
1. Goole docks cleared of remaining waste
The remaining 600 bales of waste have been removed from Goole docks, Yorkshire, following the initiation of legal proceedings against owner NW Trading by the Environment Agency (EA) in January.
It was reported last year that the EA had issued NW Trading with enforcement notices for the removal of 4,050 bales of illegal waste left by Leeds Paper Recycling, following complaints of a fly infestation from local residents.
EA Team Leader, Ian Cowie, said: “We’re very pleased that all the bales have finally been moved. We have been working hard behind the scenes and it’s been a longer process than we would have liked, but our efforts have meant that there has been no cost to the public purse.
“We appreciate that residents may have been concerned, and would like to apologise for the delay, but we have a duty not to incur more costs than necessary, and we believe this policy has now paid off.”
2. New MRF for Palm Recycling
Palm Recycling has opened the doors of its new materials recycling facility (MRF) at Aintree, in an attempt to improve material quality and ‘service to its customers in the North West.’
The facility, which is more than double the size of the one it replaces at Kirkby, will serve the needs of more than 130,000 households in Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council.
The facility accepts paper, cans, glass, textiles and food waste collected as part of Sefton Council’s weekly separate kerbside collections.
North West Operations Manager for Palm Recycling, Ruairi Holyoake, said: “The new location gives us so much more capacity, which means we can take a wider range of materials, as well as store more before reprocessing.
“At present we’re taking 32,000 tonnes of material per annum, but we aim to increase this in the future with additional contract opportunities within the region.”
3. Taylor develops Slam-Lock bin
Bin manufacturer, Taylor, has launched a new waste container locking device, dubbed the Slam-Lock.
Developed in conjunction with waste management company Veolia and Westminster City Council, the Slam-Lock is aimed at tackling padlock theft (stolen from bins for their brass), a practice that had reportedly been costing Veolia a reported £500 a week.
The lack of padlocks on Veolia’s 1,100 litre and 1,280 litre bins was causing unnecessary contamination, with waste being deposited ‘indiscriminately’.
Julian Gaylor, Taylor’s Sales and Marketing Director, said: “We’ve re-evaluated the basics and developed a solution that has the potential to make enormous long-term savings and could become a key component in the waste management strategies of local authorities throughout the UK.”
4. Shanks commences services in Wakefield
Waste management company, Shanks, has announced that it has commenced waste management services in Wakefield District.
As part of their contract with Wakefield Council Shanks will manage seven Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs), as well as a Bring Site network, waste transfer station and the construction of a 230,000 tonne residual waste treatment facility at South Kirkby, Yorkshire.
According to Shanks, Wakefield residents will experience improved staffing levels and seven-day access to HWRCs. However, there will be no change to existing bin collections.
Leader of Wakefield Council, Councillor Peter Box, said: “This is the first stage of big changes to come in how we manage waste and improve recycling in the District. Our partnership with Shanks means significant investment to improve services and we look forward to residents seeing immediate benefits like opening the household waste sites for seven days a week.”
5. WEEE recycling event in Cambridge
Cambridge City Council, in conjunction with European Recycling Platform (ERP), Love Cambridge, and the University of Cambridge, are to host recycling events in a bid to improve WEEE recycling rates in the local authority.
Running for the second year in a row, the events will take place on Thursday 14 March (7.30am – 5pm) and Friday 15 March (7.30am – 3pm) at the Sidgwick Site Car Park, University of Cambridge.
Residents are being encouraged to drop off their ‘broken or unwanted electronics’, which last year ‘stopped almost 38 tonnes of electronic waste from going to landfill’.
Executive Councillor for Environmental and Waste Services at Cambridge City Council, Jean Swanson, said: "I was amazed how many computer monitors, kettles and irons were recycled last year. This is a great opportunity for residents, schools and businesses to recycle e-waste in the city, so I hope everyone takes full advantage, has a big clear-out and beats last year's tonnage!”
