Axion Polymers invests in laboratory facilities and announces Sustainability Awards success

Plastics recycler Axion Polymers has invested in new laboratory and testing facilities to ‘ensure consistent quality’ of its solid recovered fuel (RF) products and to meet standards of its technical end markets.

As part of the investment, it has installed a laboratory-scale furnace unit at its Trafford Park Shredder Waste Advanced Processing Plant in Manchester, to help provide accurate measurement and testing of its Axfuel SRF 30 high-energy fuel.

Axion Director Roger Morton explained: “We have made this important investment because alternative fuels from waste need to be treated as a product, not as a waste. If SRF is to deliver the fuel benefit and meet the technically-demanding specifications of our end markets it has to be of consistently high quality so customers can buy with confidence.”

Axion Polymers is part of the Axion Group, which develops and operates resource recovery and processing solutions for recycling waste materials.

The group’s REFLEX project, co-funded by Innovate UK, which aims to create a circular economy for flexible packaging by involving the whole supply chain in collaboration, was recently announced as a joint runner-up in Best Brand category in the Packaging Europe Sustainability Awards.

The project was placed alongside Coca-Cola’s plant-based PlantBottle brand as runner-up behind the Ecover Ocean Plastic Bottle, made from waste recovered from oceans.

Axion’s Principal Consultant Liz Morrish said: “We are delighted and extremely proud to have been recognised in this way; particularly in our first year of the project and competing against big-name brands. It is fantastic news and a major boost for everyone involved in this exciting project.”

Learn more about Axion’s REFLEX project.

Enhanced Aberfan HWRC opened by Potters Waste Management

Aberfan’s only household waste and recycling centre (HWRC) reopened on Monday (10 August) after over eight months of closure.

The facility, operated by Potters Waste Management, closed on 5 January to be relocated to land opposite Ynysowen School, making way for a new road.

Funded by the Welsh Government and Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council, the facility has also been enhanced to allow additional materials and better accessibility.

Potters Waste Management won a five-year contract with the council in 2013, which sees them operating and managing the HWRCs at Aberfan and Dowlais.

Potters Operations Director Debbie Potter said: “We are pleased that the new and enhanced site is now fully operational and apologise for the disruption to our service in the Aberfan area since January.

“Following the essential closure the improvements mean that we now have additional recycling facilities and improved access for customers.”

Learn more about Potters Waste Management.

Scottish Resources Conference will address food waste and circular economy

This year’s Scottish Resources Conference, which takes place at the Glasgow Hilton on 7-8 October, will carry the overarching themes of the food waste debate and the circular economy.

The two-day event , organised jointly by Zero Waste Scotland and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, will feature keynote speeches from Scottish Environment Minister Richard Lochhead, food waste campaigner Tristram Stuart, and waste and CO2 global programme leader at Unilever, Tony Dunnage.

Addressing the global challenge of food waste and creating a sustainable food system will be the focus for the first morning, followed by breakout sessions on food waste recycling, reduction and treatment.

On day two the conference will address the circular economy, featuring a panel debate on translating policy into practice and breakout sessions on putting design at the heart of the circular economy and building partnerships to increase reuse and repair.

The event will also host the Scottish Resource Awards, which recognised the achievements being made in Scotland in sustainable waste and resource management. Nominations for the awards, which cover five categories including Best Private/Public Sector Initiative and Outstanding Contribution, are open until 31 August.

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Food waste and the circular economy are both high on the agenda this year, so it’s great to be able to highlight them at the conference.

“We’ve got a great line-up of expert speakers and some hot topics for debate, so I’m looking forward to this opportunity to reflect on all we’ve achieved in the past year and to look forward to what comes next on the journey to a zero waste Scotland.”

Learn more about the Scottish Resources Conference.

Taylor appoints new Area Business Manager for London

Steel bin manufacturer Taylor has announced that Liz Carroll will become the company’s Area Business Manager for London.

Carroll has previously held Sales Manager roles at bin manufacturing company Glasdon, and street furniture supplier Broxap, and will be responsible for extending Taylor’s market presence in London.

Following the announcement, Carroll said: “Construction in and around the UK’s capital is booming once again and demand for high-density developments, which are heavily aligned with Taylor’s portfolio of products, has never been so high.

“I now look forward to getting out in the field, identifying new opportunities for Taylor and playing a key role in expanding Taylor’s market share in the South East of England.”

Taylor’s Sales Director, Mark Jenkins, added: “Liz has proven herself to be a consummate professional and will quickly become a key asset to the Taylor family. As urban density across London continues to grow, developers and local authorities need to ensure that there are adequate waste solutions in place.“

Learn more about Taylor Bins.

Rexam introduces Metal Recycles Forever logo onto beverage cans

Can manufacturer Rexam has announced that it is to become the first manufacturer in the UK to produce commercial beverage cans displaying the ‘Metal Recycles Forever’ logo.

The symbol, endorsed by all members of Metal Packaging Europe, aims to inform consumers about the recycling potential of metal packaging and encourage them to recycle more.

Metal already has a recycling rate of 73 per cent across Europe, but the logo aims to promote the fact that metal can be recycled ‘practically infinitely’, with both aluminium and steel ‘making a strong contribution to closing the material loop’.

Rexam will introduce the logo on cans made for microbrewery Concrete Cow.

Rexam’s European Sustainability Manager, Matthew Rowland-Jones, commented: “We’re delighted that Concrete Cow has decided to use the logo and see this as an extremely positive step in the right direction.

“We are now focusing on encouraging more of our customers to include the symbol on their cans, in a bid to change consumer attitudes to recycling. As Europe’s largest beverage can maker, we have a responsibility to support and encourage consumers to recycle their cans, through on-pack and wider marketing communications.”

Learn more about Rexam.