1. Sea lions showcase recycling

Sea lion showing Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead how to recycle

Four sea lions at Blair Drummond Safari Park in Stirling, Scotland, have been trained to scoop up plastic bottles and place them in green recycling boxes, in the hopes of reminding visitors to recycle when they are out and about.

The sea lions usually perform the trick with red plastic balls, but were trained to collect plastic bottles instead as part of Recycle Week.

Visiting the park earlier this week, Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said: "Recycling is so easy - even a sea lion can do it. You just need to put things in the right place and that's exactly what Blair Drummond’s sea lion quartet show visitors every day.

“The sea lion show is a great way for kids to learn about recycling and to encourage future generations to make green choices, helping us to look after nature, wildlife and our environment.

"With the Recycle on the Go facilities now within the safari park, there really is no excuse for people, young and old, not to get involved.”

The park has said that since introducing the ‘Recycle on the Go’ recycling bins, there has been a 41 per cent decrease in the amount of residual waste collected.

Watch the Youtube video of the sea lions recycling.

2.Gunter Pauli appointed Chairman of Novamont SpA

Gunter Pauli, entrepreneur, economist and author of The Blue Economy (pictured right), has been appointed Chairman of materials and biochemical developer Novamont SpA (Novamont).

According to the Board of Directors, Pauli’s appointment was a ‘unanimous decision’.

Pauli has an extensive background in establishing and working for green companies, and has in the past held the position of CEO at ecological soap company Ecover, and founded the Zero Emissions Research and Initiatives in Japan in cooperation with the United Nations University.

Novamont’s CEO Catia Bastioli, said: “Pauli’s is an enlightened vision harmonising perfectly with the philosophy which has always inspired Novamont. We are certain that his wisdom and far-sightedness will be a great boost to the company in its future developments and consolidate our leadership in the Bioeconomy sector."

Novamont also announced that it has produced its first product made from fourth generation of its Mater-Bi®, biodegradable and compostable bio-plastic, which can be used for a wide range of applications, including flexible and rigid films, coatings, printing, extrusion and thermoforming..

Read more about Gunter Pauli in Resource 71.

3. Redeem partnership with O2 pays out £50 million

Recycling company Redeem Holdings Ltd, has announced that payments to O2 customers for trading in their mobile phones has exceeded £50 million since launching O2 Recycle in 2009.

The partnership’s three-tier plan includes a commitment to: pay out more to customers (regardless of the network they are on); leverage responsible recycling and recommerce to generate funds for O2’s ‘Think Big’ initiative (which supports young people and community activities); and provide a ‘better experience’ for O2 customers.

According to Redeem, marketing and managing the collection and processing of traded-in handsets online and from retail outlets - such as data-wiping and refurbishment, resale or recycling – aids in the ambition of sending fewer handsets to landfill.

Claes Svensson, CEO of Redeem, said: “To say we’ve paid customers over £50 million and have contributed over £2 million to Think Big is an incredible achievement. It epitomises the hard work that has gone in from everyone at Redeem and Telefónica to make our proposition such a success.”

Read more about Think Big.

4. Helistrat appoints new Marketing Manager

Helistrat, deliverer of waste, cleaning and pest control solutions within the Facilities Management sector, has announced the appointment of Alison Jenkins as Marketing Manager.

With over six years experience working within the B2B sector, as Marketing Manager, Jenkins will be responsible for supporting Helistrat’s continuing expansion, raising its profile and providing more support to all areas of the business.

Jane Gallagher, Head of Marketing and Communications for Helistrat, said: “We are excited about welcoming Alison to Helistrat and are looking forward to working with her. Alison’s experience in the B2B sector together with her proficiency in project management and commercial experience make her a really good fit for Helistrat."

Read more about Helistrat.

5. Green Rewards for Green Deeds

Recycling reward scheme provider Green Rewards has announced that Copper Consultancy, the recently launched merger between 3G communications and Sauce Consultancy, and Richmond Towers Communications are the first clients to sign up to its new employee engagement and rewards programme JUMP: Healthy Planet - Healthy Team.

JUMP is designed to help organisations ‘embed a culture of sustainability and healthy living’ by rewarding employees for taking positive steps that improve the environment and enhance personal health and well being. Modules include cycling to work, recycling in the workplace, volunteering in the community, and monitoring personal fitness levels.

Employees are rewarded with Green Points, the reward currency operated by Green Rewards UK that is already being used by local councils to reward UK households for recycling. Green Points can be donated to selected charity projects or spent on goods in the Green Rewards eShop.

John Twitchen, Executive Director at Copper Consultancy, said: “Action speaks louder than words, and JUMP provides all the ingredients for every member of staff to do just that. As an internal communications tool, it offers real benefits to companies who want to engage staff in sustainability initiatives. And of course, it’s good for business – saving resources saves money.”

Read more about JUMP.

6. BIU Group received ISO accreditation

Textile recycling company, the BIU Group (also known as Bag It Up), has announced that it has received the ISO 14001:2004 certification for its environmental management system, as well as the ISO 9001:2008 certification for its quality management system.

In order to achieve the certifications, BIU had to demonstrate its commitment to sustainability and actively reducing its impact on the environment, as well as to quality, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement.

One such demonstration of commitment included the roll-out of the UK's first electronic, no-key textile bank, which have chute and locking systems to make them ‘impossible’ to break into. According to the company, since the new banks were installed, there has been an estimated 20 per cent increase in yields in theft-prone areas.

Read more about the BIU Group.