NEWS FOR MORE NEWS AND ANALYSIS VISIT www.edie.net/waste Commercial waste event targets SMEs


LAWR magazine and edieWaste have joined forces to host a one- day conference in London on 29 May to consider the opportunities to increase trade waste collec- tions among small-to-medium- sized enterprises (SMEs). Bringing together experts from


the Government, the public and private waste and recycling sec- tors, and community groups, Commercial waste – Reaching out to SMEs will be of interest to local authorities that are already running or are looking to intro- duce a commercial waste collec- tion service for SMEs.


With 35% of trade waste aris- ing from companies with less than 50 employees, there is a real challenge for local authorities to provide low-cost and accessible recycling services to SMEs but also an opportunity to generate new income streams. Held


at Hallam Conference Centre, the morning session will look first at recent policy and legislative drivers to encourage greater SME uptake of waste col- lection services.


Delegates will then hear what


the opportunities and barriers are for the private and public sectors


SME waste is the focus of event WRAP plans methodology for co-collected waste


WRAP is working in partnership with the Environment Agency and local authorities to develop an agreed methodology for com- merical and household waste and recycling, which can be used by all councils in the UK.


The project will investigate how commercial and household waste and recycling are split when it is co-collected by local authorities on the same vehicle, or in the case of household waste and recycling centres in the same container.


At present, councils use a num- ber of methods to apportion the split between household and com- mercial waste and recycling. WRAP is looking to develop a single methodology, which will be underpinned by robust weight data. It is also setting up a steer- ing group to take the work for- ward and is looking for input from councils and private waste management companies. “This ground-breaking work will help to reduce the barriers for local authorities to collect


commercial waste, helping to increase recycling rates, particu- larly of small businesses,” says Helen Bird, recycling and collec- tions adviser.


“We frequently hear from local authorities who struggle with co- collection due to issues of being able to apportion what is derived from houses and businesses. We are aiming to develop a straight- forward method which can be applied across the board. At the same time, we are reviewing vol- ume to weight data to fill gaps.”


and consider the various service model options.


The afternoon sessions will look at what SMEs want from service providers and then how the waste sector can deliver to meet these needs.


“Capturing more materi- als from the commercial waste stream still presents a challenge, particularly from smaller busi- nesses which often don’t have easy access to affordable recycling services,” says Maxine Perella, editor, edieWaste.


“While moves are now being made to address this, the jury is still very much out on whether voluntary agreements will go far enough. This conference should provide some answers as it will look at the latest thinking in the field as well as showcase innova- tive service models that are mak- ing a difference.”


Delegates can save £60 if they book a place before 13 April.


To register a place, visit: www.commercialwaste.net


Online


exclusives Waste target fears


The Welsh Assembly has responded to a Welsh Audit Office report, which warns that Wales won’t meet its target to reduce its waste footprint by 75% by 2050 unless it cuts volumes in the first place. The assembly argues plans are in place.


Green light for plant Plans for an incinerator bot- tom ash recovery plant at Ince Park, Cheshire have been given the green light by Cheshire West & Chester Council.


The incinerator


bottom ash aggregate facil- ity will be built by Covanta Energy, with a capacity to process up to 250,000 tonnes of ash every year.


Hi-tech glass recycling Viridor has developed what it claims is one of the most hi-tech glass recycling facili- ties in the world with a £6M investment at its Bonnyrigg, Midlothian site in Scotland. The plant recycles container and plate glass from across 18 Scottish council areas.


Landfill sites closed Over 100 landfill sites have been forced to close in the UK since the recession began in 2008, accord- ing to research from BDS Marketing Research. Figures also showed that 27 sites have


closed in the past


year, although 12 sites have opened or reopened.


To read the full stories go to www.edie.net/waste


edieWaste


Helping people make business sustainable


March 2012 Local Authority Waste & Recycling 5


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