News in Brief 06/12/2013
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ShareAxion polymers exhibit at IdentiPlast 2013
Axion Director Keith Freegard with a mannequin made from recycled plastic film
Plastic polymer company, Axion Polymers, demonstrated how recycled post-consumer flexible films can be made into new products, by exhibiting a mannequin made from 50 per cent recycled plastics at the IdentiPlast 2013 conference (28-29 November).
As part of an on-going research project and trials funded by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) to find new end applications for plastic films, Axion used a roto-moulding process to turn recycled polyethylene into a shop window clothes dummy.
Speaking after the Paris event, Axion Director Keith Freegard said: “While it’s true we’re lagging behind places like Germany and Scandinavia, most of their pots, tubs and trays and flexible films are diverted to energy from waste incineration schemes; which are not seen to be the desirable route in the UK as these non-renewable raw materials are then lost forever.
“With investment in new recycling technologies happening here and our infrastructure developing to handle more complex plastic packaging waste, the mannequin…. demonstrate[s] our emerging successes and [is] helping to improve our credentials.”
Gareth Hollinshead, Key Account Manager on Plastics at WRAP added: "WRAP is supporting industry to sort and reprocess more of this waste through the Mixed Plastics Loan Fund, as well as research projects that demonstrate commercially viable end markets for these types of plastic packaging wastes, which have been traditionally viewed as difficult to recycle."
Read more about IdentiPlast 2013.
Sutton Courtenay waste transfer site approved
The decision, made on Monday (2 December), relates to the expansion of FCC Environment’s existing Material Recycling Facility (MRF) in Sutton Courtenay.
The development will ‘bulk up’ the municipal waste that is collected in the South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse districts, after which, it will be sent for treatment to the Ardley energy from waste (EfW) facility in the north of the county.
An FCC Environment spokesperson said: “This decision will ensure residents’ waste collected in South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse district council areas will be diverted from landfill and used in the generation of energy.
“The overall impact will be to reduce the number of road miles used to transport material within the County and therefore to provide a service which is as economically and environmentally sustainable as possible.”
Read more about FCC Environment.
A bin made from recycled plastics has won the EPRO (European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organisations) Best Recycled Product award for 2013.
Manufactured by Green Warehouse engineer Will Hayes to ‘encourage responsible recycling of rubbish in offices, schools, universities, hospitals and other typical working environments’, the uBin is thought to be the ‘first bin in the world’ made from 100 per cent UK post-consumer plastic.
It is made from recycled polypropylene plastic, derived from post-consumer pots, tubs and trays and won the award after receiving the most amount of votes from delegates at the IdentiPlast conference in Paris.
After winning the award, Hayes said: “While many people at the conference were drawing attention to the UK being one of the worst plastics recyclers in Europe, we were proud to ‘fly the flag’ with our achievements. Winning the EPRO award carries much prestige within the global plastics industry. But of course, the UK as a nation still has a long way to go in terms of developing its recycling habits.”
Find out more about products from Green Warehouse.
Eunomia’s Bath BID waste procurement wins national award
A procurement project which focuses on waste and recycling services for businesses in Bath, has won a national award for Innovation and Service Delivery.
The Bath Business Improvement District (BID) developed by environmental consultants Eunomia Research & Consulting, won the award at the British BIDs Proud Project Awards on Wednesday (6 November).
The scheme used ‘the buying power of collaborative procurement’ to deliver waste services of ‘greater flexibility’ and ‘lower cost’ than those previously available. With over 100 Bath BID members registered, the project was able to translate efficiencies of services into ‘substantial cost savings’ for service users. Delivered by waste operator, SITA UK, the scheme has also brought ‘fewer vehicle movements, better price incentives for recycling and cleaner streets’.
James Fulford, Director at Eunomia, said: “I’m delighted that Bath BID’s exciting project has been recognised in this way. Competition within the trade waste market tends to lead to inefficiency, but by teaming up to buy their waste services from a single supplier, businesses can save substantial sums. BIDs are uniquely well placed to help this happen.”
Eunomia now intends to roll the project out to other BIDs.
Read more about Eunomia Research & Consulting.
Biffa reopens Redcar plastics recycling line
Plastics recycling company, Biffa Polymers, has announced the reopening of the post-consumer plastics recycling line at its Redcar facility on Teeside.
The announcement follows the closure of the plant in December 2012 to allow for an equipment upgrade.
The post-consumer line was first opened in March 2011 and has been credited with a substantial increase in the UK’s capacity to recycle rigid mixed plastics. Yet, the company experienced difficulties in recovering material of a high-enough quality and yield.
Commenting on the reopening, Biffa Polymers Commercial Manager Chris Hanlon said: “It’s great news for all concerned that our Redcar plant is now fully back in business. Recovering value from waste is what Biffa does best and at Biffa Polymers we’re completely focussed on maximising the recovery of plastics collected throughout the UK. To be able to include the post-consumer line again at Redcar is an impressive achievement.”
The upgraded facility can reportedly process 1,000 tonnes mixed plastics per month. The company is planning a further expansion of its operations in spring 2014.
Read more about Biffa’s Redcar facility.
Battersea resident fined for fly tipping
A Battersea resident has been fined for adding to a pile of fly-tipped rubbish in Croydon. Following prosecution by the council, a fine of £535 including costs was handed out to Iesha Price by Croydon Magistrates Court.
The pile of rubbish opposite Reeves Corner was created by a number of people but Price was identified once a council enforcement officer went through ‘several sacks’ of household waste. She failed to respond to a fixed penalty notice, declined an interview under caution and missed an initial court date before pleading guilty to the charges.
Councillor Simon Hoar, cabinet member for community safety and public protection, said: “There’s no excuse whatsoever for fly-tipping and anyone who’s caught will be issued with a fine to remind them that it is not only antisocial but also illegal. Failure to pay will result in court action and a far bigger fine as the courts also frown on such behaviour.”
The council has recently clamped down on fly-tipping as part of its ‘Keep it Clean’ campaign.
Read more about Croydon’s Keep it Clean campaign.
