Waste management company Veolia has announced that it has developed a new technology that can process the contaminated paper element of residual waste into pulp for new products.
According to the company, the technology can identify and capture the fibre fragments of ‘previously non-recyclable paper and cardboard’ (such as that contaminated with glass or food waste) from the domestic residual waste fraction and pulp it, clean it, screen it and mechanically press it into a new product: Pro-Fibre.
This new pulp, which can be manufactured either wet or dry, can reportedly be used to create new products, such as packaging products, construction materials (such as plaster board) and cellulose-based insulation.
Following the development of this technology, Veolia will be investing £1 million in a new facility in Sheffield, which will be able to treat up to 20,000 tonnes of waste a year and produce up to 14,000 tonnes of Pro-Fibre.
It is hoped that Pro-Fibre will divert paper waste from energy recovery and landfill, thus boosting the amount of paper fibre recycled.
Speaking of the technology, Veolia’s Head of Circular Economy, Forbes McDougall, said: “This new technique allows fibres that would normally not be recycled to be turned into a new product with a wide range of uses. Not only will this benefit the circular economy, it will also help Veolia increase recycling rates across the UK. We’re open to new applications and welcome ideas from manufacturers who would identify Pro-Fibre as a feedstock alternative.”
The first batch of pulp is expected to be launched to market in ‘early 2015’.
Find out more about Pro-Fibre.
Veolia becomes UK partner of WEEElogic
The waste management company has also recently announced that it has become a UK partner of European waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) compliance and take-back scheme, WEEElogic.
This will involve Veolia providing WEEElogic’s offerings to its UK customers, as well as contributing to its ‘expertise in local waste management, market knowledge and operations’.
Clement Gaubert, Veolia WEEE Scheme Manager, explained: “This move means WEEElogic’s comprehensive range of services, which are designed to simplify compliance management, are now available to UK companies trading in mainland Europe and their European counterparts trading here.
“We are ideally placed to provide WEEElogic’s services in line with national obligations and expand our membership and take-back operations among producers, manufacturers, importers, retailers, distance sellers and waste holders.“
Romain Letenneur, Managing Director of WEEElogic, added: “With Veolia on board, we are now able to handle all major and several smaller countries across Europe. This is a substantial progress for all of our take-back obligated clients.”
Find out more about WEEElogic.
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
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.