November 9th, 2012
Although the data is thin and somewhat contradictory, it looks as though there’s plenty of room for improvement in the recycling performance of smaller SMEs. But those who want to support increased recycling need to understand how the market-driven commercial waste collection sector works.
October 2nd, 2012
by Amy Slack
If you become known as ‘Bin Girl’, then generally there’s a very good reason for it. In my case I’m glad to say it wasn’t due to spending a lot of time rummaging through people’s rubbish. It might seem an unfortunate label, but after six months managing the distribution of new recycling and food waste containers to 51,000 households across a Surrey District Authority, I became rather attached to it!
September 21st, 2012
As I meander through the veg aisles of my local supermarket, Matthew the British apple farmer beams down, Chairman Mau-style, from giant posters. He looks like a nice guy, and while the supermarket may be getting a lot of mileage out of him, it does mean fewer nasty air freight and truck miles. In turn that means fresher, healthier produce, reduced carbon emissions, and more of the economic benefits staying close to home; so buying Matthew’s apples is good for us, good for UK plc and no doubt good for Matthew too.
July 30th, 2012
by Mike Brown
Funerals often stimulate reflection. Travelling home from Cornish independent Councillor Pam Lyne’s memorial service on 13th July, I was thinking about one of the many causes to which she selflessly dedicated so much energy.
July 13th, 2012
For all its many environmental benefits, the growth in recycling poses a problem: space. At its peak, landfilling required 500 major burial pits, occupying around 8,000 hectares. If we landfilled no waste at all, it is estimated that up to 3,000 waste facilities of 5-10 hectares would be required, occupying around 25,000 hectares – three times the area. The twin challenges of navigating the planning system and attracting investment make developing this infrastructure one of the waste sector’s biggest problems. Although approaching 50 food waste anaerobic digestion and 200 materials recovery plants are already in place, more are needed.
