1. Leicestershire metal theft dropping

Incidents of metal theft are falling in Leicestershire, following a ban on scrap dealers paying out cash for scrap metal that came into effect in December.

Under the ban, scrap metal dealers can only pay for metal via bank transfer or cheque. Payments in cash could result in a fine of up to £5,000.

Since the ban came into place Leicestershire police forces have reportedly seen metal theft drop by almost 50 per cent, down from 236 incidents between October and November 2012 to 124 between December and January.

Leicestershire Detective Inspector Chris Barratt, said: "There has been a significant reduction and that is a positive start and we aim to build on it. We are making it harder for people to dispose of stolen metal and we are targeting dealers who are not complying. We are also working with those dealers who are embracing the new laws."

2. Sadlers launch video to promote cardboard reuse

Cardboard box reuse specialists, Sadlers, have launched a video to promote the benefits of their cardboard box reuse scheme.

Under the scheme, businesses are requested to segregate their used boxes from ‘factory generated waste cardboard’. Those collected are then sorted and sold for reuse, thus yielding a higher financial return and disposing of them in an environmentally sound manner.

Managing Director of Sadlers, Mike Sadler, said: “Crushing and pulping perfectly good boxes and converting them back into boxes is a terrible waste… [and] uses masses of energy, water and fuel unnecessarily.”

Read more about Sadlers’ cardboard box reuse scheme.

3. Eric France Metal Recycling in liquidation

Metal recycling company JKL (Wakefield) Ltd, also known as Eric France Metal Recycling, has gone into liquidation with debts totalling £22 million, resulting in the loss of 18 jobs.

Accountancy firms KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers were appointed liquidators during a meeting of creditors on 26 February at JKL’s headquarters in Ossett, West Yorkshire.

In a statement, the liquidators said: “It is understood that, according to the directors’ statement of affairs, £21 million of the company’s total debts of £22 million relate to unpaid VAT.”

4. REA searching for new Chief Executive

The Renewable Energy Association (REA) is seeking a new Chief Executive to replace founding member Gaynor Hartnell.

Hartnell, who has held the position since February 2010, will not step down until a replacement is found and will remain with the REA as a consultant.

Hartnell said: “I have been with the REA since its formation in 2001. This was preceded by six years working in various trade associations, over which time I was striving to bring about a unified voice for the industry. That makes a total of almost 18 years in a similar setting and I now want to explore other opportunities.”

Martin Wright, Chair of the REA, said: “It is with great regret that the Board has accepted her resignation, although we are very pleased that she wants to remain involved in order to explore new ventures and projects.”

5. Shanks given PLC sustainability award

(L-R): Sophie Raworth, presenter of the awards; Alan McGill, Partner, PwC Sustainability and Climate Change; Peter Dilnot, CEO, Shanks Group plc (winner); and Ian Powell, Chairman and Senior Partner, PwC.

Waste management company, Shanks Group plc, has been awarded the ‘Achievement in Sustainability’ award at the PLC Awards.

Sponsored by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), the award recognises ‘accomplishments in economic, environmental and social sustainability’. According to PLC the voting panel looked for ‘leadership, innovation and lasting commitment to sustainability’.

Group Chief Executive of Shanks, Peter Dilnot, said: “Winning this award is excellent news given that sustainability is right at the heart of our business. The fact we have been recognised as a leader in this field is a great testament to the dedication and hard work of our teams across the Group.

“We are also fully committed to further improving sustainability at Shanks in the months and years ahead.”

6. EnvironCom to launch reuse apprentice scheme

WEEE recycler and reuse specialist, EnvironCom, is to launch the UK’s ‘pioneering’ apprentice scheme for ‘reuse engineers’.

The scheme, set to launch alongside National Apprentice Week (11-15 March), has been produced in conjunction with South Lincolnshire College and will initially take on six apprentice engineers. On completion of the four year programme, candidates will receive an HNC Electronic and Mechanical Engineering qualification.

EnvironCom will also give 14 ‘new and existing’ employees the opportunity to embark on a six to nine month ‘Apprentice Appliance Fitter programme’ from which they could gain an NVQ in Mechanical Maintenance.

CEO of EnvironCom, Sean Feeney, said: “Training and development is at the heart of our business and is key to ensuring our philosophy of ‘doing the right thing with WEEE’ is intrinsic to everything we do.”