Repairs and maintenance provider, Kier, yesterday (17 January) announced that, following its launch in May 2012, the Ray Walk Recycling Centre project in Islington has been a ‘success’.
Undertaken in conjunction with Islington Council and social enterprise Bright Sparks, the scheme seeks to reduce landfill waste and provide ‘affordable furniture and electrical items to local people’ by recycling and refurbishing waste from house clearances.
According to Kier, 14.5 tonnes of furniture have been diverted from landfill in the past four months alone, a figure which is expected to climb to 60 tonnes by May 2013.
Kier Voids Manager, Steve Matthews, said: “The new recycling centre is a great resource for local businesses as it provides a convenient and cost effective way to clear unwanted waste.
“Recycling charities are often limited by the items they are able to collect and are also not always able to adhere to the strict timelines for void clearance. Our partnership with Bright Sparks means we’re able to take all items to the workshop where at least 70 per cent of them can be recycled.
“As well as the environmental benefits of not sending waste to landfill, we also predict the new scheme will save more than £100,000 a year in waste disposal charges, a saving which will go back to the Council.”
Jobs and Training
The project, which operates out of 40 refurbished garages, also offers ‘invaluable training and volunteering opportunities’ and has already helped five volunteers succeed in getting paid work after receiving NVQ qualifications.
As a result of the project’s success, Bright Sparks has been able to open an additional furniture shop, generating enough income to fund training and a paid shop manager.
Further training positions are also expected, with ‘at least ten’ posts to be set up in 2013 across ‘retail, driving and electrical, with expansion into repairs for gas ovens supported by Kier’s gas training expertise’.
Islington Council Executive Member for Tenants, Residents and Communities, Councillor Barbara Sidnell, said: “We are on the side of Islington’s communities and committed to improving life on estates for Islington families – so we are 100 per cemt behind the Ray Walk Recycling Centre.
“This simple but effective scheme is giving the estate a real boost, reducing fly-tipping, reusing household items and providing training and jobs.”
Read more about Bright Sparks
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.