News in Brief - 27 September 2013

1. Novelis named Aluminium Fabricator of the Year

Aliminium rolling and recycling company Novelis, has been crowned ‘Aluminium Fabricator of the Year’ at an award ceremony in Geneva. The award is one of Metal Bulletin’s Global Awards for Academic Excellence. The aluminium company’s Yeongju Recylcing Centre in South Korea was also honoured, receiving the ‘Best Brownfield Technology Project’ award.

The awards were handed to Novelis in recognition of the company’s progress on ‘sustainability, recycling, technology, innovation and growth’. Novelis is looking to increase the recycled content of its aluminium from 33 per cent (in 2011) to 80 per cent by 2020. The company has already achieved 43 per cent in this regard.

Speaking about the award, the President and CEO of Novelis, Phil Martens said: "We are extremely honored to be named Aluminium Fabricator of the Year and to be recognized for our recycling technology by Metal Bulletin. These awards are further evidence of our industry leadership, the strength of our people and our deep commitment to innovation and sustainability."

Read more about the award.

2. Bertie Bulb promotes light recycling in Devon

Bertie Bulb, the mascot of light bulb recycling specialists Recolight, has been informing residents in Devon about the need to recycle energy-saving light bulbs. In partnership with East Devon District Council (EDDC), Recolight has located collection containers in the offices of various town councils and in the reception at EDDC’s main offices in Sidmouth.

The only option previously was for bulbs to be taken to Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs). The Devon facilities join Recolight’s 800-strong collection points for low-energy light bulbs.

Suzanne Castine, Marketing Manager at Recolight, said: “At Recolight, we realise that recycling facilities have to be convenient for people to use them. We are pleased with the partnerships we’ve established so far, working with retailers and local authorities to provide more places to recycle.”

The new recycling locations can be found in: Axminster, Budleigh Salterton, East Devon Business Centre, Knowle (Sidmouth), Exmouth, Honiton, Ottery St Mary and Sidmouth.

Full address details can be found on the East Devon council website.

3. Croydon Council reveals new Safer, Cleaner Coordinator role

A new role has been created at Croydon Council to tackle crime, improve community safety and reduce fly tipping and littering.

Bobby Dhillon has been appointed as ‘Safer Cleaner Coordinator’ to tackle crime in West Croydon.

Dhillon will provide ‘practical support and crime prevention advice’ to local business on London Road and will also be introducing the ‘Safer Croydon Radio’ scheme to the area which will enable local traders to talk to each other, and help to boost security confidence. The new role has been created as part of the wider West Croydon Investment Package, and is ‘designed to support the area’s economic regeneration and growth.’

Councillor Simon Hoar, cabinet member for community safety, said: “This new post will help improve life for residents and businesses as Bobby will be encouraging the community to report fly-tipping, and raising awareness of this environmental crime by talking to local schools and community groups.

“He will also help to build good relationships with traders to ensure they have the correct business waste agreements, impacting and improving on the cleanliness of the area.”

Seconded from his role as an area enforcement officer, Bobby’s new job will run until 31 March 2015.

4. CDEnviro increases Thames Water efficiency

Installation of an S:MAX sludge screen developed by CDEnviro has led to improvements in efficiency at Thames Water Wantage Sewage Treatment Works. The S:MAX SRU:10 has enabled the sewage works, which serves around 250,000 people, to increase its ‘sludge handling capacity’ and improve its sludge screening operations overall.

The new sludge screen is equipped with many of the same features as the SRU:25 model but it is ‘specifically designed to handle a small flow rate’ making it ‘applicable to a wide range of screening applications’. Its introduction to the Wantage site is part of a £5.4 million project to improve the quality of waste water managed by Thames Water.

Darren Eastwood, Technical Sales Manager at CDEnviro, explained: “The elimination of blockages during screening is undoubtedly one of the greatest advantages and cost saving measures of the S:MAX, production time is increased and the screen is ready to receive tankers at all times.”

Read more about CDEnviro.

5. SAICA helps Screwfix achieve zero waste

Trade tool supplier Screwfix has achiveved a milestone of sending zero waste to landfill.

Working in collaboration with waste management company, SAICA Natur, since 2007, Screwfix has managed to divert 415 tonnes of waste from landfill in the last year. Further, the 285 storess across the UK are now sending no waste to landfill, but instead are using ‘existing procedures and new measures’ to reduce waste and increase recycling.

Peter Harries, Quality Manager at Screwfix, said: “SAICA Natur worked with us together to determine the best solution in terms of dealing with the company’s waste. This allows Screwfix to be in control of waste streams and ultimately where the waste ends up – away from landfill.” 

Read more about SAICA Natur and Screwfix.

6. CEPI announces European Paper Week

The Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI) has announced the dates for the 2013 European PaperWeek.  The event, which attracts over 350 participants from the pulp and paper industry, will be held on 26-28 November at the EU Thon Hotel in Brussels. It will be the fourteenth time that the occasion has been marked.

In reference to the innovations and added value emerging from the paper industry in recent years, the 2013 Paper Week will present ‘Growth Reinvented’. The annual meeting will feature the European Commissioner for Climate Action, Connie Hedegaard, and the European Commissioner for Environment, Janez Poto?nik, as well as former Swedish Prime Minister, Göran Persson.

Other highlights include a presentation to the CEPI Two Team Project, the launch of CEPI’s sixth sustainability report, and seminars on a range of current issues.

Read more about the event and register to attend.