Environment Agency investigating skip hire company after waste spill

Skip hire company the Hunter Group, based in West Yorkshire, is being investigated by the Environment Agency (EA) after waste from its Lockwood site breached a boundary fence and spilled into the River Holme.

The EA originally ordered the company, also known as Sam H Services Ltd, to clear up the waste, but is now considering further action after it failed to act.

A spokesperson for the EA said: “The EA is investigating the operation of Sam H Services Ltd following reports that waste was escaping from the boundary of the operator’s waste transfer site at Queens Mill Road, Lockwood, Huddersfield.

“In July, we served a legal notice against the company requiring it to remove the waste from the boundary and repair its fence. The deadline for this notice expired on August 5, but this work has not been completed.

“Our officers are now considering taking further enforcement action to ensure that the operator brings the site into environmental compliance.

“Waste sites like this one can pose a risk of harm to the environment if they are not managed properly – that’s why it is vital that companies comply with the operating conditions set out in their permits.”

Find out more about how the Environment Agency investigated waste crime.

Conwy Council launches ‘Recycle More’ survey

Conwy County Council is to undertake a recycling survey to find out how the council can help residents recycle more and waste less.

Following the introduction of ‘Trolibocs’, stacks of three recycling boxes that can be wheeled to the kerb, this Spring, recycling in the Welsh county has risen to a rate of 59 per cent.

To maintain this progress, Conwy CC will survey 50,000 households to ascertain how it can encourage residents to increase their recycling.

Targets set by the Welsh Government require local authorities to be recycling 75 per cent of their waste by 2025 with an additional target of zero waste to landfill by 2050.

Dave Cowans, the councillor responsible for environment and sustainability, said: “What the people of Conwy have done in getting to 59 per cent recycling has been fantastic.

“Our weekly recycling collection service has been hugely popular and now we want to find out how we can get even more out of the wheelie bin and into the food bin and Trolibocs.

Andrew Wilkinson, Head of Neighbourhood Services, said: “Last year we could have saved a staggering £1.6 million if people had placed all of their recyclables into the recycling containers instead of the wheelie bin.

“That is literally throwing away money, which we can’t afford. We need residents to help us take the next step towards a better environment by wasting less and recycling more.”

Find out more about recycling in Conwy.

Olleco acquires Convert2Green to add to biofuel service

Cooking oil and food waste recycler Olleco has acquired biofuel producer Convert2Green for an undisclosed sum.

Cheshire-based Convert2Green processes used oil into biofuels for a number of national companies and organisations including Biffa, the Environment Agency and United Biscuits.

The acquisition increases Olleco’s number of depots across the UK to 17. It also has three bio-refineries and a recycling facility in Liverpool, which turn used cooking oil into biodiesel, employing more than 550 workers.

Olleco says the move will enable it to ‘improve efficiencies and coverage to enhance the used cooking oil collection service offered to customers’.

Commercial Director Adam Baisley said: “We are delighted to welcome Convert2Green customers and staff to Olleco. We aim to build on the strong foundation they have established and extend our reliable and award winning services to our new customers.”

Learn more about Olleco.

New Isle of Wight waste contract keeps weekly collections

Weekly collections will remain in place on the Isle of Wight as part of the island’s new 25-year waste contract with Amey.

The partnership will introduce new initiatives to try to improve waste collection services and increase the recycling rate will be introduced from Spring 2016. These include a new wheeled bin for black household waste bags, replacing the current system of leaving bags on the street overnight.

For properties where bins are not suitable, a large, reusable, ‘seagull-proof’ sack will be provided to protect recycling and black bin bags from animals.

The contract with Amey was awarded in July, with a target set of diverting 90 per cent of waste from landfill by 2020.

Councillor Luisa Hillard, Executive Member Responsible for Sustainability, said: “Work is progressing well to put everything into place for the new contract to start in November.

“I know that many people have questions about how the new waste service will work and I’m pleased to be able to reassure residents that there will not be any immediate changes. The usual, alternate, weekly collections will continue unchanged and your collection day will remain the same. So from 1 November, keep placing your waste out just like normal.”

Find out more about the Isle of Wight’s waste services.