University of York trials PyroPure hazardous waste system

The University of York and a pharmaceutical manufacturer have partnered with micro-scale waste disposal specialist PyroPure Ltd in order to trial its technology before the PyroPure system is made available to the clinical waste disposal industry.

The PyroPure system , which is the size of a chest freezer, can processeight kilogrammes of hazardous waste per cycle and dispose of 17 tonnes per year using technology that can reportedly destroy most of the thermally-resistant active pharmaceutical ingredients.

It is estimated that the system will reduce the cost of disposal of waste from clinical environments in the UK by approximately 66 per cent, as it would negate the need for storage, transport and incineration (currently the only method to dispose of pharmaceutical and chemically contaminated waste in the UK),

Professor Alistair Boxall of the University’s Environment Department (who will lead the study alongside Professor Jane Thomas-Oates), said: “In this trial we will use state-of-the-art methods for detecting pharmaceuticals and their breakdown products to understand if the system is capable of utilising pyrolysis to a high enough standard that would make the technology a safe and sustainable on-site waste disposal solution in clinical and pharmaceutical environments.”

The trial is the last step PyroPure needs to complet before the system’s viability is approved by the Environment Agency.

Read more about PyroPure.

PDM Exhibition and Conference to host new Plastics Packaging Show

Shadow Environment Minister Barry Gardiner addresses delegates at the inaugural Plastics Recycling Expo which was held at the Telford International Centre in June 2014.

The organisers of the Plastic Design & Moulding (PDM) Exhibition and Conference have announced that they will be launching a third show at next year’s event.

The Plastics Packaging Show will be co-located at Telford international Centre on 16 and 17 June 2015, alongside the PDM Exhibition and Conference and the Plastics Recycling Expo (PRE).

Organised by Crain Communications and run in association with Plastics Recycling Week and European Plastics News, the free-to-attend show will focus on rigid packaging across markets such as food, drink, healthcare, medical and cosmetics.

It is estimated the new show could attract visitors from all over the UK and Europe, and bring in over £1.2 million to the local economy (according to Meet Telford & Shropshire, the region’s official convention bureau.)

Katherine Kynaston, Business & Development Planning Manager at Telford & Wrekin Council added: “As PDM continues to grow at a steady pace to include Plastics Recycling Expo and Plastics Packaging Show, we see the event as key to helping local business identify supply chain opportunities and trade links as well as to highlight Telford’s competitive investment offer to the range of industry experts that attend the show year on year.”

Find out more about the PDM Exhibition and Conference, the Plastics Recycling Expo or the Plastics Packaging Show.

Construction completed at Tamar Halstead AD plant

Halstead AD facility in construction last year

Construction has been completed on Tamar Energy’s 45,000 tonne-per-annum anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Halstead, Essex.

The facility, which breaks down food waste in the absence of oxygen to produce a biogas that can be used to electricity, is expected to produce two-megawatts (MW) of renewable energy per year – enough to power more than 4,000 homes.

The first generation of electricity from food waste is expected at the end of July, after the plant has been tested and brought up to speed.

‘Nutrient rich bio-fertislier’ is also produced as a by-product of the AD system, and a network is being set up of farmers interested in using it on their land in place of petro-chemical fertilisers.

Willie Heller, Tamar Energy’s Chief Executive said: “Completing construction of the Halstead facility marks another important milestone for us, with an exemplary focus on health and safety and showing consideration for the local community throughout the process.

“The project teams of principal contractor Barhale, technology partner Monsal and Tamar Energy have demonstrated a genuinely collaborative approach to execute this project to such high standards.”

Read more about Tamar’s AD network.

Biffa extends Oxfordshire waste contract

Waste management company Biffa has announced that South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils have agreed to a contract extension valued at around £70 million.

The seven-year extension of the joint contract will run from June 2017 to 2024, and will see Biffa continue to deliver alternate weekly collections of residual waste and dry recyclables, alongside weekly food collections, and fortnightly garden waste collections (for those opting in to the paid service).

The contract also includes managing a transfer station, running a call centre, and handling local recycling education and communication activities with the residents of around 110,000 properties across the two districts.

Biffa is also introducing a special cleansing crew that will visit local town and villages to supplement its regular street cleansing, as well as improving its narrow access service.

These service improvements are being provided at no extra cost.

Clare Kingston, Head of Corporate Strategy for South Oxfordshire and Vale of White Horse District Councils, describedthe extension as “excellent news”.

She commented: “I'm particularly looking forward to any changes we can make over the coming years to further improve the service for our residents, as we have them to thank for our superb recycling rates.”

Find out more about Biffa.

DHL Envirosolutions recycled 138,000 tonnes of waste

Waste and recycling company DHL Envirosolutions has announced that it recycled 138,000 tonnes of waste material in 2013 on behalf of its UK customers, converting it into £12 million of revenue and reducing environmental tax bills.

Its recycle and reuse programmes, as well as new technologies such as mini-balers and biomass-fuelled machines were ‘tailored to each customer’s needs’ to help reduce waste and divert any waste arisings from landfill.

Simon Potter, Business Director, DHL Envirosolutions said: “Many businesses still regard recycling as just a compliance issue, but it’s entirely possible to turn it into a revenue stream as well.

“By integrating new technologies into the supply chain, not only are we helping UK businesses meet the latest legislation - as well as their CSR objectives - but we’re generating additional revenue for them in the process.”

Read more about DHL Envirosolutions.