New training grants for reuse/repair groups

Scotland’s resource efficiency body, Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS), has today (6 March) launched a new fund to help third sector organisations train staff in ‘key repair skills’ for three types of items: electronic equipment; furniture; and textiles.

The ‘Repair Training Grant Fund for the Third Sector’ has been launched by ZWS after it found that around 150,000 tonnes of reusable goods are sent to landfill in Scotland every year, and that a lack of skills could be preventing reuse organisations in key sectors from growing their businesses.

As such, it will offer grants of up to £1,500 to third sector reuse organisations to cover the costs of tuition, travel and subsistence, and any other materials or equipment needed for the course.

Those applying to the fund will need to apply before 17 April 2015 and be able to demonstrate how training staff will increase their reuse activity, and should hold Revolve accreditation (ZWS’ quality standards for reuse products and services) or equivalent.

Iain Gulland, Director of ZWS, said: “Increasing repair skills in Scotland is vital to increasing the amount of goods being reused and repaired. Building on and expanding existing repair skills also has the having the potential to create many new, sustainable jobs in communities across Scotland. We need to preserve the skills we have and attract new young people to learn the skills of repair, which will be increasingly important to our economy in the future.”

Find out more about the ‘Repair Training Grant Fund for the Third Sector’.

Recolight appoints new board members and Chair

Recolight, the UK WEEE compliance scheme for the lighting industry, has appointed Peter Florack as its new Chairman and welcomed former board member Steven Reed back to the board.

Peter Florack, Senior Director at OSRAM AG, has sat on the board for the past three years and has now replaced David Wyatt of GE Lighting as Chair of Recolight, after Wyatt retired from the position at the end of 2014, following seven years of service.

Steven Reed of GE Lighting has re-joined the Recolight board after a seven-year absence, and joins board members Maurice Loosschilder, Sustainability Director at Philips, and Bridget Anderson, Financial Controller of Havells Sylvania, who joined in January 2014.

Announcing the news, Recolight Chief Executive, Nigel Harvey said: “We’re very pleased that Peter Florack has accepted his new role as Chair. Peter joined our board in 2011 and has been integral in our recent developments.

“Together with Steven Reed, Maurice Loosschilder, and Bridget Anderson, the board has the experience and commitment to support the continued growth of Recolight, and the standards on which our reputation is founded.”

Find out more about Recolight.

European fishermen and WFO pledge to eliminate marine litter

Europêche, the body representing 80,000 European fishermen, and environmental group Waste Free Oceans (WFO) have pledged to work together to help combat the growing issue of marine litter.

At a meeting between the two organisations held this week in Brussels, Europêche pledged to work with its member organisations to raise awareness of the issue and encourage fishermen across Europe to get involved in clean up initiatives, such as ‘Fishing for Litter’ and collect and dispose of any waste – including plastics, ropes and fishing nets – on shore.

President of Europêche, Javier Garat, said: "We welcome this partnership to raise awareness of the issue and what fishermen themselves can do to help. It will also allow fishermen to assist research into better tracing of marine litter. Whilst we are aiming to help prevent waste ending up in our oceans in the first place, our fishermen can positively contribute to the clean up effort towards more environmentally friendly European waters."

Find out more about the problem of marine litter in Resource 78.

Casepak appoints new Business Development Executive

Recycling company Casepak has appointed Daniel Howells as its new Business Development Executive.

Howells, previously Account Manager for corrugated packaging recycling company DS Smith, has been appointed to the role at Casepak to increase the company’s customer base, adding new material supply and accounts for the collections and processing facility and the materials recycling facility, both based in Leicester.

Speaking about his new venture, Daniel said: “I am excited to join the Casepak team and I hope to introduce new suppliers through increased networking and delivery of Casepak’s renowned recycling service.”

Georgina Cullen, Business Development Director, added: “We are pleased to welcome Daniel to the Casepak team. This is an important time for the recycling sector and with Daniel’s industry knowledge and his proven track record of helping clients to reduce waste and use it as a resource, we are certain he will be a valuable asset to the company.”

Find out more about Casepak.