News in brief 03/07/2015
Rochdale Borough Council consults on new recycling service
Residents of Rochdale Borough Council are being asked from today (3 July) how a new weekly recycling service could be introduced with the least amount of disruption to households.
The new service, which could begin in October if approved, will see two waste collections visit every household each week instead of one.
The collections will see food and garden waste caddies taken every week with the second collection rotating on a three-week cycle: general waste the first week; mixed recycling the second; and paper and card the third.
The council hopes that the new service will increase recycling rates, whilst also providing savings of up to £1 million per year.
Councillor Jacqui Beswick, cabinet member for environment, said: “The council needs to make big savings over the next two years which means we need to do things differently.
“The changes will see recycling rates increase rapidly and reduce the cost of disposal – helping to save council tax payers money to make better use of funds which could be spent on other essential public services. I urge residents to read the details of the service change and send us their views on how we can make delivering this new service a smooth transition for everyone.”
The consultation closes on 1 August.
Learn more about the new service and take part in the consultation.
Marks & Spencer launches £400k Community Energy Fund
Marks & Spencer’s energy providing arm, M&S Energy, has this week launched a £400,000 Community Energy Fund, with grants available to support community renewable energy projects and technologies across the UK.
The fund is open to not-for-profit organisations that wish to use renewable energy to provide community benefits.
Two national groups will be given funding of £40,000 and £20,000, with additional regional grants for projects that require a maximum of £12,500. Finally, a prize of £15,000 will go to the ‘most innovative or inspiring project’.
Groups have until Wednesday, 29 July to submit an application. A judging panel made up of renewable energy experts from M&S Energy and partner energy company SSE will then shortlist a number of applications. Local communities will then be able to vote on the winners between 17 August and 30 September.
The launch of the fund coincides with M&S moving to supply 100 per cent of its electricity from renewable sources.
Jonathan Hazeldine, Head of M&S Energy said: “The M&S Community Energy Fund will enable a wide range of groups to get their projects off the ground and we’re looking forward to hearing about innovative projects that will benefit local communities across the UK.”
Energy Minister Lord Bourne said: “We’re transforming the way we power homes and businesses up and down the country – boosted by initiatives like this from Marks and Spencer.
“This fund will bring greener, cleaner energy supplies to local communities and supports M&S Energy's impressive move to source 100 per cent of the electricity it supplies from renewable sources."
Learn more about the M&S Community Energy Fund.
HMP Rochester bike renovation scheme wins National Recycling Award
A scheme that teaches prisoners how to restore bikes rode away with the ‘Best Partnership Project with the Public Sector’ prize at this week’s National Recycling Awards (NRA).
The ‘Re-love a bike’ scheme was a partnership between HMP Rochester, Abacus Furniture Project ,and waste management company FCC Environment that salvaged more than 500 old bikes that were then restored by prisoners and resold.
Commenting on the prize, Reuse Development Manager at FCC Environment, Steve Bell, said: “This scheme not only sees bikes that would otherwise go to landfill be brought back to life, but helps prisoners gain new skills and improve their chances of gaining employment upon their release. This award recognises the brilliant work of everyone involved.”
The awards were held at the London Hilton, Park Street on 1 July.
Click here for a full list of the night’s winners.
Edinburgh Council trialling ‘Cyclear’ safety technology on refuse vehicles
The City of Edinburgh Council is trialling ‘Cyclear’ technology on refuse vehicles in an attempt to reduce accidents involving cyclists and lorries.
The equipment comprises three parts:
- an illuminated sign on the vehicle lights up to alert oncoming traffic that it is turning;
- a speaker announces manoeuvres for additional warning; and
- sensors on the side of the vehicle detect when a cyclist is travelling alongside and alert the driver with an audible message.
The Cyclear system is provided by Innovative Safety Systems (ISS) and has been fitted to eight of the council’s new refuse vehicles, with plans for more to be added in the future.
William Wright, Cycling Scotland Development Officer, said: “Any organisation operating HGVs has to ensure that they are operated safely and with utmost consideration of other road users.”
Watch a video of Cyclear in action.
LondonWaste appoints Peter Sharpe as new Managing Director
Waste management company LondonWaste Ltd has appointed Peter Sharpe as its new Managing Director.
Sharpe, who has previously held the role of Managing Director at Kelda Energy Services and Projects Director at Shanks, takes over from David Sargent, who retires on 31 July after 15 years in the role.
The company operates a number of sites across London that offer an alternative to landfill disposal by recycling materials, composting organic waste and recovering energy from waste.
It is currently commencing delivery of a major new waste contract and is working with the North London Waste Authority (NLWA) on proposals for North London’s future waste solutions.
Speaking after his appointment was announced, Sharpe said: “With LondonWaste at the heart of NLWA’s longer term plans, this role is tremendously exciting with lots of challenges and opportunities ahead.
I am looking forward to working with an experienced board and management team at LondonWaste and building upon the company’s past successes.”
Learn more about LondonWaste.
