ERP invites public to submit WEEE selfies for charity

The waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) compliance scheme European Recycling Platform UK (ERP UK) has launched a new social media initiative to promote the reuse and recycling of electronics.

ERP UK is asking consumers to submit a ‘selfie’ (a self-portrait photograph) of themselves with an unwanted electrical item to the scheme’s Facebook page, along with the hashtag #SelfiEEE and a pledge to reuse or recycle the item.

Each month, the user judged to have submitted the best ‘#SelfiEEE’ will get to choose which of ERP UK’s four selected charities will receive a £250 donation from the scheme.

The charities are:

• the British Heart Foundation;
• the Furniture Re-use Network,;
• the National Foundation for Youth Music; and
• the Young People’s Trust for the Environment.

John Redmayne, General Manager of ERP UK, said: “We are excited to be launching this brand new campaign.

“Although it carries a serious message, #SelfiEEE is a fun initiative and we hope it will provide a simple and entertaining platform for people to share ideas on reuse and recycling.”

Learn more about the #SelfiEEE initiative.

J&B Recycling awarded Sunderland recycling contract

Hartlepool-based waste management company J&B Recycling has won a three-year tender to handle Sunderland City Council’s recycling.

The company, which currently recycles waste from household, commercial, industrial and construction sources, will now additionally process around 200,000 tonnes of the city’s recyclable materials each year.

The contract means that three new roles will be added to J&B’s staff of almost 200.

Mark Penny, Commercial Manager at J&B Recycling, said: “We were delighted that Sunderland City Council opted to work with us.

“It is always encouraging to secure new business. It shows the reputation we have built within J&B Recycling is a very good one, and it is an added bonus that this contract has enabled us to create three new positions.”

Learn more about J&B Recycling.

Viridor launches locally-sourced compost in West Sussex

Waste management company Viridor has this week launched ‘Revive’, a locally-produced soil conditioner compost, at household waste recycling centres (HWRCs) across West Sussex.

The launch was timed to coincide with National Compost Awareness Week (4 to 10 May) and saw the compost go on sale at all 11 of West Sussex County Council’s HWRCs.

Residents are also being reminded that they can dispose of garden waste, which is composted to make Revive, at the council’s HWRCs free of charge.

Eki Evbuomwan, Education and Customer Relations Manager at Viridor, said: “Viridor’s Revive soil conditioner compost is made from 100 per cent organic waste from the homes and gardens of the general public in West Sussex.

“By using it, residents will be supporting local recycling and composting. Using Revive in householders’ gardens also means people are supporting a sustainable circular economy right here in West Sussex.”

Learn more about Viridor.

Residents warned against using unlicensed waste disposal operators

Taxpayers in North Lincolnshire are footing the bill for unlicensed waste disposal operators, according to North Lincolnshire Council.

The authority has issued a reminder to residents that it is an offence to give waste to an unlicensed carrier, after it noticed an increase in operators promoting their services on Facebook.

Many residents, the council claims, see these adverts and ‘unwittingly’ give their rubbish to unlicensed people, who then dump it illegally. This fly-tipped waste is then cleared up by the council, at the expense of taxpayers.

Under the Household Waste Duty of Care law, residents must ensure that they only give waste to licensed traders. This legislation is in place to prevent unlicensed traders from fly-tipping waste illegally.

Anyone found giving waste to an unlicensed carrier could be fined up to £5,000. As such, the council is advising residents to always ask to see an operator’s licence, which is issued by the Environment Agency.

Learn more about the Household Waste Duty of Care.

E.ON sells stake in German waste-to-energy company

Energy provider E.ON has sold off its stake in a major waste-to-energy company in Germany.

The Dusseldorf-based energy company had been a 49 per cent stakeholder in EEW Energy from Waste, which operates 19 waste incineration plants across Germany and Holland.

It has now sold its holding to private equity company EQT, which already held a 51 per cent stake following a previous deal in 2013.

Mathias Flacker, Partner at EQT, said: “The acquisition of the remaining stake is a result of RQT Infrastructure’s strong belief in EEW’s further potential and also a continuation of the fund’s strategy to invest in the European energy sector.”

Last year, EEW had sales of €539 million (£398 million) and employed 1,210 staff.

Find out more about EEW Energy from Waste.