Leader of the Labour Party Ed Miliband has commended technology companies Tetronics International and Advanced Plasma Power (APP) for their ‘integral role in helping the UK become a global leader in green technology’.
Whilst visiting energy-from-waste firm APP and its waste recovery equipment supplier Tetronics last Thursday (20 November), Miliband took the opportunity to express his support for the companies, which he said are ‘playing an integral role in helping the UK become a global leader in green technology, by making waste a resource’.
During the visit, Miliband learned of Tetronics’ technology, which uses plasma treatment to process and recover resources from waste and treat hazardous materials, and APP’s plans for a new facility that uses waste to produce bio-substitute natural gas (Bio-SNG).
In turn, staff heard about Miliband’s environmental and economic plans in the run-up to the general election. (Labour has already announced that it would introduce a landfill ban on food waste if it were to come into power in 2015.)
‘You need a government that will do the right thing’
Miliband said: “Tetronics and APP are playing an integral role in helping the UK become a global leader in green technology, by making waste a resource.
“Companies like these show that the environment can be an economic opportunity, but you need a government that will do the right thing.
“A Labour government would be clear about the priority of green jobs, be clear about the targets we’re going to have because that means companies like this one can have a certainty when actually investing in the future. These are good jobs for people, we need more of them in Swindon, and the UK as a whole.”
Graeme Rumbol, CEO of Tetronics, said that it was “great” to host Miliband and that his visit was “a recognition of the [company’s] excellent work”, while
Rolf Stein, CEO of APP, said that Miliband “took a real interest” in the technology and “could see the huge potential it has to transform how we look at wasted energy resources in the UK and beyond”.
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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.