News

News in Brief – 13/08/20

Coca-Cola European Partners announces the introduction of CanCollar technology in Spain

This week, Coca-Cola European Partners announced the introduction of WestRock’s CanCollar recyclable paperboard-based rings for its multipack cans in Spain. WestRock is currently partnered with Coca-Cola through it’s 2018 World Without Waste strategy, in which the company pledged to remove all unnecessary or hard-to-recycle plastic from its portfolio.

Coca Cola cansCoca-Cola European Partners will be rolling out the PEFC certified technology in the Balearic Islands in November, a first in Europe. This will replace the company’s current Hi-cone solution, saving more than 18 tonnes of plastic annually.

To support the initiative, Coca-Cola European Partners has invested €2.6 million in its Barcelona plant. The installation of CanCollar manufacturing equipment will enable multipack cans to be grouped in a sustainable and environmentally friendly way, without the use of glue or adhesives.

Joe Franses, Vice President of Sustainability at Coca-Cola European Partners, said: “The agreement with WestRock exemplifies our clear commitment to reduce plastic in our secondary packaging. By the end of 2020, we will have removed more than 4,000 tonnes of hard to recycle plastic from our secondary packaging in Western Europe. It’s through collaborating on innovative packaging solutions like CanCollar that we are able to do this.”

Dwayne Irvin, Vice President of Enterprise Solutions at WestRock, added: “We are proud of our longstanding partnership with Coca-Cola. For 70 years we have supported Coca-Cola in bringing innovation to global beverage markets. CanCollar is the latest initiative supporting Coca-Cola’s vision to create a World Without Waste.”

You can find out more about Coca-Cola European Partners on the company’s website.


Veolia becomes first waste company to join new OPRL membership category

Veolia has become the first company to join On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL), under the recently introduced waste management company membership category.

OPRL packagingThe new membership category builds on the collaboration between OPRL and the waste management sector to improve sustainability through advancing the recyclability of packaging.

Veolia is set to join over 540 businesses using the labelling system to encourage customers to recycle, with the new membership allowing the company’s large customer base to access a fully-aligned service on the recyclability and labelling of their packaging under the scheme, which was recently rated by the UN Environment Programme as global best practice.

OPRL has also received endorsement from the UK Government, which, in its 2018 25 Year Environment Plan, said: ‘Achieving zero avoidable plastic waste – at the end of use stage we will make it easier for people to recycle by continuing to support the industry-led On-Pack Recycling Labelling system and encourage all brands and retailers to use this system to provide information to householders.’

Commenting on Veolia’s new membership, Tim Duret, Technology and Organics Director at Veolia UK and Ireland, said: “From my perspective with a long involvement in the recycling sector, it’s really encouraging that the whole value chain is now coming together to overcome the barriers to creating a true circular economy for packaging.

“As new members, we're delighted to contribute to OPRL’s development of the labelling scheme and its expanding range of tools that genuinely reflect the UK recycling capabilities and challenge us all to do better.”

Jane Bevis, Chair of OPRL, added : "Greater recycling is the measure of success of our operations and our members. Veolia joining  our rapidly growing organisation is another major step forward for us as we work to further reduce waste and drive circularity."

“Consumers are calling for both clear, simple and consistent labelling, and the assurance that the packaging they use touches as lightly as possible on the planet. By working closely with colleagues throughout the packaging and resources and waste management value cycle we believe OPRL can help deliver the government's ambitious resources and recycling goals."

You can find out more about OPRL on the organisation’s website.


BMRA launches updated Health and Safety Manual for metal recyclers

This week, the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) relaunched its Health and Safety Manual, rolling out a new set of posters focusing on the key health and safety issues found on metal recycling sites.

BMRA posterWorking with experts in the field, BMRA has updated the manual to ensure it takes account of changes in legislation and wider health and safety practices, to help members ensure that their sites are a safe space in which to operate.

Its first two chapters, launched on Tuesday (11 August), can be found in the members’ area of the BMRA website. Every member should also receive the first poster – tackling concealed cylinders – this week. The supporting chapter of the manual is set to be released at the end of September, along with a poster focused on radiation. This will be followed by a poster on batteries in relation to fires, due in late October.

Commenting on the release of the manual, James Kelly, CEO of BMRA, said: “Maintaining a strong focus on health and safety issues and legislation is a key responsibility for all metal recycling operators, which is why we are really pleased to be able to offer members access to the updated BMRA Health and Safety Manual. As we publish the chapters over the coming months it will build into a complete resource for those running a metal recycling yard.

“We have also been able to develop a new series of Health and Safety posters for members to display in their yards. This new set of posters will cover new issues that were not present when we had previously produced them. These posters are very well received and incredibly popular with our members, with many asking for additional copies. BMRA is very grateful to Peter Hoare Insurance Brokers for sponsoring the first poster. Their support has made it possible for us to send members a robust poster that is fit for use in a metal recycling yard.

“We look forward to receiving feedback from our members on both the Manual and the posters.”

You can find out more about the BMRA on the association’s website.


DS Smith partners with ASDA to eradicate non-recyclable elements from instore point of sale

DS Smith will be supporting ASDA in its efforts to remove unnecessary plastic in stores, targeting a 15 per cent reduction on own brand plastic by 2021.

Teams from both companies have come together to re-evaluate the use of plastic mop trays, a point of sale display previously considered a store operations ‘must-have’. The trays are used at the bottom of free-standing displays, protecting them from liquids during the store cleaning process, and should spillages occur.

With advancements in the way stores are maintained and cleaned, DS Smith found that the removal of the trays does not pose a risk to the safety or quality of the point of sale, leading to the removal of the equipment, saving approximately eight tonnes of plastic a year and reducing the carbon footprint for each point of sale (POS) unit by up to 15 per cent.

DS Smith has also targeted ASDA’s use of premium corrugated materials in stock holding displays, as the process of making white corrugated board for the displays involves bleaching in the manufacturing stages. To eliminate emissions incurred during the bleaching process, ASDA and DS Smith produced several prototypes, settling on a new design which contains more recycled content and a reduced CO2 footprint, whilst still retaining visual appeal for consumers.

Building on this work, ASDA and DS Smith will be launching a fully recyclable POS unit later in August. This will be designed for maximum longevity; remaining robust for several months and featuring a liquid proof non-plastic base to protect the board from grease and fluids.

Commenting on the partnership, Angus Jones at DS Smith said: “We’re thrilled to be able to work with ASDA on plastic replacement and practical solutions and that lower the overall carbon footprint of its stores. This is a great example of the benefits that customers can reap when they make subtle but impactful changes in areas of their business.”

“I’m incredibly proud of the DS Smith team, who through continuous testing and learning, have made further strides to encourage greater sustainability within the retail landscape, while showing they can still address and solve common marketing challenges in tandem.”

Lisa Walker at ASDA added: “We are constantly working to re-evaluate where we can reduce the quantity of non-recyclable packaging in our entire supply chain, whilst continuing to meet resource efficiency and practicality requirements for our in-store colleagues.

“Reducing plastic and our impact on the environment is very important to our customers and this project with DS Smith is testament to our commitment to reducing our carbon footprint and removing unnecessary plastic from the planet.”

You can find out more about DS Smith on the company’s website.


Andusia announces appointment of Simon Little as new Commercial Director

Andusia has announced the appointment of Simon Little as its new Commercial Director, bringing over 15 years of experience in the waste industry to the company.

Simon Little
Simon Little, newly appointed Commercial Director of Andusia
Little entered the industry as a Sales Manager for the Waste Recycling Group, before moving to Powerday for 10 years as Sales and Marketing Director. Most recently, he was appointed as Commercial Director at Cory Riverside Energy.

Founded in 2012, Andusia operates within the refuse-derived fuel (RDF) export market, and has since expanded into the export of solid-recovered fuel (SRF), hazardous waste, and clinical waste.

With the energy-from-waste (EfW) market expanding in the UK, Little will be responsible for sourcing and managing RDF supply contracts in the UK for both the existing export market and the growing UK EfW market.

Following the national lockdown, Andusia will continue to work closely with UK waste suppliers and EfW plants in the UK and in Europe. As RDF levels have been maintained, the company will be agreeing new contracts to be fulfilled in the near future.

Company director and co-founder Stewart Brackenbury will be stepping back from the business and passing commercial duties to Simon. Stewart will continue his role Chairman, taking on an ambassadorial role, with a view to retiring in the near future.

Commenting on the appointment, Steve Burton, director and co-founder of Andusia, said: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Simon to the team. Simon is a very well-known face in the UK EfW sector and brings with him a wealth of industry experience. It is not every day that you get a chance to add someone with Simon’s talents to the team, and I know that Simon will be a huge benefit to the business.”

Find more information on Andusia on the company’s website.