ERP recycling event in Cambridge collects 20.24 tonnes of WEEE

An annual e-waste recycling event held at the University of Cambridge’s Sidgwick Site on 11 and 12 March collected 20.24 tonnes of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).

First held four years ago, the annual event is run by the Cambridge Business Improvement District (BID), Cambridge City Council, the European Recycling Platform (ERP) and the University of Cambridge to raise awareness of the need to recycle electronic equipment.

It has to date collected nearly 100 tonnes of WEEE for recycling.

All of the items collected will be treated in the UK to recover metals and plastics, and the recovered material will then be sent on to manufacturers to make new products.

As part of the event this year, ERP is also offering the chance to win £250 worth of vouchers from a Cambridge bicycle store by entering its new ‘SelfiEEE’ competition. Consumers have until 30 April to send a photo of themselves with an old piece of electrical equipment for recycling, which can then be uploaded on ERP’s Facebook page.

Jas Lally, Head of Refuse and Environment at Cambridge City Council, said: “I’d like to take the opportunity to thank all residents and businesses that took part for making the event such a success.

“The weight equivalent of approximately 20 family cars was collected and this proves how popular this event has become in the community. It also highlights the importance of recycling e-waste items that cannot be placed in regular bins.”

Find out more about the European Recycling Platform.

ERP awarded South Wales producer compliance scheme contract

The European Recycling Platform (ERP - see above) has been named as the producer compliance scheme (PCS) to nine of the 12 local authorities of the South Wales Waste Management Group (SWWMG).

ERP has been awarded a three-year South Wales Regional Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) contract, with the possibility to extend for a further two years.

From yesterday (1 April), ERP will be responsible for the provision of containers for all WEEE streams at the 34 designated collection facilities (DCFs) across the nine local authorities, together with the collection and subsequent reuse or recycling of the materials.

The contract covers: Rhondda Cynon Taf County Borough Council; Blaenau Gwent County Borough Council; Caerphilly County Borough Council; Cardiff Council; Carmarthenshire County Council; Ceredigion County Council; Merthyr Tydfil County Borough Council; Newport City Council; and Powys Council.

John Redmayne, ERP UK’s General Manager, said: “We welcome the opportunity to work in partnership with the nine local authorities. We have collected and treated WEEE in South Wales since 2007 and we look forward to developing relationships further.”

James Kay, South Wales Regional Waste Co-ordinator at Resource Efficiency Wales, which manages the contractual performance of the agreement, added: “ERP UK will invest in the collective of authorities and share any value that can be derived from the WEEE collected at the DCFs.

“We’re also delighted that all local authorities will benefit from ERP UK’s e-waste partnership fund, a system which provides funding for projects aimed at improving the collection rates of WEEE materials.”

Dorset Reclaim charity to handle county’s bulky waste collection

Dorset Reclaim, a charity that helps families on modest incomes to find affordable furniture and electrical goods, has been chosen to provide Dorset’s bulky waste collection services.

From 7 April, residents of the county’s seven councils in the Dorset Waste Partnership (DWP) will be able to book the collection of large household items like sofas, beds and fridges with the charity.

Residents will pay £30 for a single item to be collected, and £6 for each subsequent item. If items are in good condition however and can be reused, they may be collected for free.

Instead of being taken to recycling centres, reusable items will be made available to the community. The charity, mainly volunteer-run, already provides a similar service in Poole and aims to reuse or recycle at least 65 per cent of everything it collects.

Bill Davidson, Head of Strategy at the DWP, said: “We are delighted to go into partnership with Dorset Reclaim, which is committed to supporting the community and encouraging people to reuse and recycle.

“The new service will provide social benefits by helping families in need as well as the volunteers who Dorset Reclaim supports to get back into work.”

Ray Tovey, Project Manager at Dorset Reclaim, added: “This new partnership will allow us to extend our reuse services across Dorset. We hope to provide more opportunities for our volunteers and a friendly, efficient service for Dorset households who need items removed.”

Find out more about Dorset Reclaim’s Bulky Service.

New anaerobic digestion plant in North East after Foresight investment

A new anaerobic digestion (AD) plant in the North East has become the first investment made by investment manager Foresight Group’s recently announced £50 million Recycling and Waste (RAW) fund.

The plant will be sited on a farm in Old Quarrington, near Durham, and will treat farm crops to produce renewable power, heat and agricultural fertiliser.

Around £4 million will be spent on creating the plant – with half of the funding coming from the Foresight fund, backed by the UK Green Investment Bank, and half from the equipment-leasing SQN Asset Finance Income Fund.

Throughout its 20-year lifespan, the plant is expected to generate 3,400 megawatt hours (MWh) of electricity – enough to power 800 households – and 3,300 MWh of heat.

Williams Industrial Services, which has previously worked with Foresight on projects in Northern Ireland, will be responsible for constructing and maintaining the plants.

Charles Sheldon, Investment Analyst of Foresight Group, said of the project: “We’re thrilled to announced the first investment by the RAW fund.

“The short time taken, just eight weeks, from the announcement of the fund to the completion of the first investment is a significant achievement and is a reflection of the volume in the pipeline for AD, the demand for AD and the knowledge of the sector by our co-investor SQN.”

Find out more about the Foresight Group.

Resource Minister launches Clean Britain 2015

The 2015 Clean Britain Scheme was launched by the Resource Minister, Dan Rogerson, and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) on 24 March.

The scheme, now in its 26th year, supports and recognises the work of local authorities and the community groups dedicated to the local environment, and provides them with learning opportunities and the chance to promote work done in their areas.

As part of the scheme, local authorities receive a monthly newsletter as well as access to a communications toolkit to help engage with the public. The scheme also involves an awards programme.

In a video address at the launch, Rogerson said: “The appearance of our streets and public spaces can have a direct impact on how safe and comfortable we feel, and so we owe a great deal to the people who work hard to maintain and keep our communities clean.

“The CIWM Clean Britain Scheme is a great opportunity to recognise and support people whose efforts are often overlooked.”

CIWM Chief Executive Steve Lee said: “The local environment has a profound impact on our quality of life and wellbeing.

“The Clean Britain scheme supports and champions the work of local authority street scene teams and community volunteers in keeping our public places and spaces clean and safe for everyone to enjoy.”

Find out more about the Clean Britain Scheme.