New clinical waste joint venture approved

A new clinical waste business, Tradebe Healthcare Holdings Limited, has been formally approved by the Competition Commission.

The joint venture between Tradebe Environmental Services Limited and SITA UK Limited will offer healthcare waste producers (such as hospitals and pharmacies), collection, transport, treatment, and disposal contracts, as well as ancillary services related to compliance and training.

The company will be able to handle between 55,000 to 65,000 tonnes of healthcare waste per annum, which will be processed at one of six alternative treatment plants or three incineration plants.

In addition, the company will operate a specialist truck depot at Sevenoaks, Kent.

Richard Brown, Tradebe Healthcare General Manager, commented: “We are delighted to hear that the joint venture has been approved and strongly believe that the new joint venture will provide a strong business acting in the best interest of our customers, employees and shareholders.

“The wealth of expertise and contacts from both Tradebe and SITA UK will enable us to deliver a cost effective total waste management solution to the healthcare industry, including general, recycling and other hazardous wastes”.

Read more about Tradebe Healthcare Holdings Limited.

Havant Borough Council cracks down on litter

Havant Borough Council has begun issuing Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs) to those caught littering or not cleaning up their dog’s mess, as part of a crackdown on street litter.

Previously, Havant Borough Council took the education route rather than punishing those that were caught littering (or not cleaning up after their dogs), but the council has said it is ‘time to get tough’, and will now be issuing fines.

The ‘Pick up or Pay’ scheme will see Environment Rangers issue FPNs to anyone found dropping litter (such as cigarette butts or sweet wrappers) or dog fouling, as part of the council’s efforts to reduce street cleaning costs and improve disposal behaviour.

Councillor Mike Fairhurst responsible for Operational Services said: “Havant Borough Council works hard to maintain the cleanliness of the borough, spending over £700,000 on street cleaning annually and with over 2,000 litter bins across the borough there is no excuse.

“Anyone dropping litter or not cleaning up after their dog will get an on-the-spot fine. We have informed and warned but now its time to get tough.”

Find out more about ‘Pick up or Pay’.

Axion Consulting launches MRF sampling course

Axion Consulting has launched a new course to help operators of material recovery facilities (MRFs) comply with the sampling requirements of the new MRF Regulations.

The sampling training has been designed ‘specifically to help MRF operators understand the benefits of good statistical process monitoring and to provide the tools to use sampling data to boost business performance of materials recycling plants’.

Modules include:

• Sampling systems – ‘where, how much and how often’;
• Sample sizes – calculating the ‘most effective sample size for your plant’;
• ‘Safe’ sampling systems;
• Reporting sampling data and audits;
• Legal compliance with the MRF Regulations; and
• ‘Tips and tricks for sampling data to benefit your material sales’.

Running on 15 May and 3 July at The Centre, a business centre at Birchwood Park, and at Cranmore Park conference centre in Solihull on 9 June, the one-day course costs £495 plus VAT, and includes parking, a buffet lunch, and tea and coffee.

Axion Consultant Nichola Mundy said: “Over the last few years, we have realised the vital importance to our business of fully understanding sampling, measurement and reporting procedures. Now we see the MRF Code of Practice (CoP) as an opportunity to share that learning, based on the real value and benefits it’s delivered for our business.”

Find out more about Axion’s MRF sampling course.

North Lincolnshire Council refurbishes HWRCs

North Lincolnshire Council has begun work to refurbish its eight Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs).

Beginning on 23 April, each site will close temporarily to allow:

• removal of skips;
• resurfacing;
• line painting;
• replacement of cabins (at some sites);
• installation of wiring for CCTV and automatic number plate recognition (ANPR); and
• new fencing.

The closures will be at:

Whilst Scunthorpe HWRC is temporarily closed, Kirton, Broughton and Winterton sites will be open seven days a week from 8am to 6pm.

When the Scunthorpe HWRC closes, Winterton will accept asbestos (from 10am to 4pm), tyres and plasterboard.

The remainder of the infrastructure such as: furniture reuse schemes; community recycling centres; and glass, can, and paper recycling points, and other recycling sites will remain open.

Cabinet member for Highways and Neighbourhoods, Councillor Nigel Sherwood, said: “The eight [sites] will be closed for refurbishment so we can bring them up-to-date and offer residents of North Lincolnshire a better recycling service.

“You can still recycle at remaining HRCs and community recycling centres.

“We apologise for any inconvenience caused.”

Find out more about recycling sites in North Lincolnshire.

LRS launches Responsible Procurement Code

Sustainabilty consultancy firm LRS Consultancy (LRS) has launched a new Responsible Procurement Code (RPC) to ‘help UK organisations to assess and reduce the environmental, social and economic risks and impacts of their procurement activities on their business and supply chains’.

The RPC provides organisations with an independent audit and certification based on an expenditure analysis and the evaluation of levels of responsible procurement and supply chain performance. These can then be used to assess the levels of sustainability within their procurement policies and practices, and identify areas for continual improvement.

Dee Moloney, Managing Director of LRS Consultancy said: “LRS developed the Responsible Procurement Code to help organisations identify sustainability risks within their procurement practices.

“The RPC will help clients to respond to their sustainability commitments and their customers’ requirements and expectations for evidencing, implementing and improving good procurement practices – those which recognise and attempt to lessen social and environmental impacts of doing business.”

Find out more about the Responsible Procurement Code.