Recycling news: 2015
Fresh every day from industry press, GOV.UK and research feeds — plus the historical archive. Last updated 25 Jul 2026.
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Industry news
POWERDAY PROMOTES USE OF THE LONDON CANAL NETWORK
Powerday has been promoting the London Canal Network to encourage the use of this more environmentally responsible transport option that avoids the congestion on Londonâs roads. When Powerday develo...
Powerday · 19 Aug 2015
Industry news
The Circular economy: To get it right we must address hazardous chemicals
A Circular Economy is an important component of a future-focussed, sustainable, economy, and CHEM Trust therefore welcomes the European Commission’s current consultation on the Circular Economy. We have submitted a briefing to the consultation making recommendations for policies that are needed in order to ensure that the circular economy doesn’t end up perpetuating the use of […]
CHEM Trust · 19 Aug 2015
Industry news
Batteries sector set for shakeup after ‘portable’ ruling
Waste batteries weighing more than 4kg will no longer be classed as ‘portable’ when they are presented for recycling, Defra has confirmed, in a move that could lead to an increase in compliance costs for battery producers. A decision on the reclassification of the material comes after a drawn out consultation process into the guidance … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 19 Aug 2015
Industry news
Glasgow crash inquiry turns to council risk strategy
North Lanarkshire council has reviewed its procedures to help prevent potential accidents caused by refuse collection vehicles, in light of the crash which killed six pedestrians involving an RCV in neighbouring Glasgow in December. Kenneth Wilson, the head of environment and estates for North Lanarkshire detailed the council’s approach during his submission to the Fatal … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 19 Aug 2015
Industry news
Westminster seeks to double recycling by 2020
Westminster city council is separately tendering its refuse, recycling and food waste treatment services with a view to achieve its aspirational recycling target of 35%. The London borough requires a contractor to treat and dispose of between 115,000 and 180,000 tonnes of residual waste per annum from September 2017 until 2024 – with a possible … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 19 Aug 2015
Industry news
Inspector defends HSE role in Glasgow crash investigation
A senior HSE inspector has defended the organisation’s decision not to formally investigate the Glasgow refuse vehicle crash in December 2014 – before the release of medical information about the driver. The comments came during the latest hearing of the Fatal Accident Inquiry at Glasgow Sheriff Court into the deaths of six people on December … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 18 Aug 2015
Industry news
PFCs: In our blood, in polar bears – and in packets of microwave popcorn! (updated with Danish controls)
Perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) have been used in some of our favourite products including waterproof clothing and non stick pans, but their persistence means they’re found all over the globe, in wildlife and in our blood and other tissues. As the amount of research showing the harmful effects of these widely used chemicals grows, many of them are […]
CHEM Trust · 18 Aug 2015
Industry news
Torfaen to bring in ‘skinny bins’ from September
Torfaen county borough council is to begin the roll-out of its ‘skinny bins’ initiative from next month, with residents existing 240 litre capacity residual waste bins to be replaced with smaller containers. Between September and November 2015, the majority of residents in the south Wales borough will have their 240-litre black wheeled bin replaced with … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 18 Aug 2015
Industry news
Court orders return of £350,000 in waste crime proceeds
A Darlington man has been ordered to pay back £350,000 under the Proceeds of Crime Act – after having pleaded guilty to running an illegal waste site. Tony Leigh Shepherd, 41, of Winston, Co Durham, pleaded guilty to two offences of operating an illegal waste site at West Musgrave Farm, St Helen Auckland, between August … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 18 Aug 2015
Industry news
HSE’s decision not to probe Glasgow crash in spotlight
A lawyer acting on behalf of the family of two victims of the refuse collection vehicle crash in Glasgow days before Christmas last year has questioned the Health & Safety Executive’s decision not to investigate the incident. The comments came at the Fatal Accident Inquiry (FAI) into the incident, which occurred on December 22 2014. … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 18 Aug 2015
Industry news
Waste Management Group Keeps Growing
National independent waste management operator Cleansing Service Group (CSG) has announced another business acquisition – its sixth in two years. The Fareham headquartered company, whose services range from hazardous waste treatment and recovery to domestic off-mains drainage cleansing, has acquired the business and assets of Medway-based Tradebe Industrial Services (TIS) from international env…
CSG (Cleansing Service Group) · 17 Aug 2015
Industry news
News in brief – (17/08/2015)
With news on: Selby green waste milestone; Recycle Week 2016; Glendullan AD facility; RDF export growth, and WM Tracey’s carbon reduction. Selby hits green waste milestone 80,000 tonnes of green waste have been collected for treatment from Selby district council residents since collections of the material began in 2001, the North Yorkshire council has announced. … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 17 Aug 2015
Industry news
Ayrshire residents urged to make their metals matter
The latest MetalMatters campaign sees East, North and South Ayrshire Councils joining forces to call on residents to make their metals matter and boost household recycling of metal packaging across Ayrshire. Every year, more than 173 million* items of metal packaging are thrown away by Ayrshire households – that’s almost 20,000 drinks cans, food tins […]
Alupro · 17 Aug 2015
Industry news
MRWA and Viridor strike interim waste deal
Viridor has entered into a short-term contract to treat 20,000 tonnes of refuse-derived fuel from Merseyside at its Runcorn energy from waste facility. The firm, which began processing the waste in July, will carry out the service on behalf of the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA) until March 2016 – with an optional six … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 17 Aug 2015
Industry news
UK investment boost for uncertain plastics sector
Two substantial capital investments have been revealed by businesses producing recycled plastic products against a background of concern over exports of scrap plastic to China. The spending comes as the prices for used plastics materials continue to fall in the wake of declining oil prices, although sector experts have told letsrecycle.com that the sector should … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 17 Aug 2015
Industry news
Professor Louis Guillette
Professor Louis Guillette, one of the first scientists to study hormone disruption in wildlife, sadly died on 6th August 2015. His death is a great loss to many, including those of us working to get endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) phased out. His work was pivotal in showing the effects that EDC chemicals could wreak in wildlife, particularly […]
CHEM Trust · 14 Aug 2015
Industry news
Highland householders ready to recycle plastics
Householders in the Highlands will soon be able to recycle their plastic pots, tubs and trays under a new scheme being rolled out by the council. Starting from August 31, Highland council will introduce mixed plastics to the materials residents can already place in their blue bins. The plastics, which must be ‘clean, dry and … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 14 Aug 2015
Industry news
Summer recycling selfies flood in from Italy, Tenerife, San Diego and more!
Entries continue to flood in for letsrecycle.com’s ‘Summer Recycling Selfie’ competition, sponsored by DHL Envirosolutions – so if you too want to be in with a chance of winning an iPad, be sure to keep them coming! Clearly many of you have been enjoying your well-earned summer breaks while also – perhaps more importantly – … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 14 Aug 2015
Industry news
The Week in Waste – August 14 2015
Take a look at the ‘Week in Waste’ video report. In this week’s report by letsrecycle.com, sponsored by Biffa, we aim to give you a snapshot of the news in the world of recycling and waste management. This week we take a look at the latest developments in the inquiry into the fatal accident in … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 14 Aug 2015
Industry news
Liverpool to take bin collections in-house
Plans for a council-owned firm to carry out bin collections in Liverpool will go ahead, after GMB union members voted to support the newly-created company this week. Liverpool Waste Management and Related Services, which will be wholly owned by Liverpool city council, will perform waste collections and street cleansing services in the city from November … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 14 Aug 2015
Industry news
EMR to submit odour plan over unwashed cans
Unwashed cans have caused a stink at a metal recycling facility in Newhaven, which has been ordered to submit an odour management plan to address the problem. The Environment Agency this week confirmed European Metal Recycling (EMR) is putting together an odour plan for its North Quay facility in the East Sussex port town following … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 14 Aug 2015
Industry news
Waste Managers Increase North East Investment
Cleansing Service Group’s (CSG) oil and water treatment plant at Middlesbrough is to undergo a major upgrade in processing facilities to cater for the growing level of business the company is experiencing in the area. A total of £750,000 is scheduled to be spent on a new soluble oil treatment and oily sludge centrifuge, together […]
CSG (Cleansing Service Group) · 13 Aug 2015
Industry news
Wokingham’s faltering recycling rate blamed on street sweepings
Wokingham borough council has claimed that its flattening recycling performance is in part due to a 2012 Environment Agency ruling which outlawed the use of street sweepings in compost. In addition, the council’s executive member for the environment, Angus Ross, said that the decline of newsprint in the UK was also “having a perverse effect … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 13 Aug 2015
Industry news
Glasgow accident inquiry: driver heard “wake up”
THE DRIVER of a bin lorry that careered into and killed six people days before Christmas last year will not face any criminal charges by the Crown, the fatal accident inquiry being held in Glasgow has heard. But, a prosecution outside of Scotland is still a possibility, the inquiry has heard [For details of this … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 13 Aug 2015
Industry news
Glasgow accident inquiry: driver could be prosecuted out-with Scotland
The driver of a bin lorry that careered into and and killed six people days before Christmas could still be prosecuted out-with Scotland, the fatal accident inquiry in Glasgow has heard. Dorothy Bain QC representing the family of Jacqueline Morton asked if Mr Clarke could be charged with offences south of the border. He said that it … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 13 Aug 2015
Industry news
Reclaimed wood stage at Firle Vintage Fair
A beautiful day at last Sunday's Firle Vintage Fair, and a chance to see wood saved by Brighton & Hove Wood Recycling Project put to great use to make a stage!
Community Wood Recycling · 13 Aug 2015
Industry news
Preston Barracks Grand Opening
The grand opening of Brighton and Hove Wood Recycling Project's new Woodstore took place on Saturday, with marmalade cake and reclaimed wood aplenty.
Community Wood Recycling · 13 Aug 2015
Industry news
Landowner vigilance urged over illegal waste
Slick organised criminals are targeting ‘isolated’ landowners in order to dump huge quantities of illegal waste, the Country Land and Business Association (CLA) has warned. The association argued that many criminal ringleaders have ‘a very legitimate front’ – meaning it is difficult to tell whether operators are genuine. It follows a notice from the Environment … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 13 Aug 2015
Industry news
Bin lorry crash driver’s health in spotlight
Scottish authorities have reiterated this week that the driver of a bin lorry that careered into and killed six people in Glasgow days before Christmas will not face any criminal charges, including fraud. The health and wellbeing of driver Harry Clarke have been the focus of a fatal accident inquiry at Glasgow Sheriff Court over … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 12 Aug 2015
Industry news
Entry call for LARAC 2015 Awards
Local authority officers involved in recycling and waste management activities still have time to submit entries to the annual LARAC celebration awards which feature six awards categories. Winners will be announced at the organisation’s annual Awards Dinner on the evening of October 14 during the annual two day LARAC conference in Nottingham. Communications, new ideas, … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 12 Aug 2015
Industry news
Concern over ‘more onerous’ bioaerosol monitoring
Organics recyclers have expressed concern over new draft guidance on the monitoring of bioaerosols which they believe puts forward proposals which could be too onerous and place extra costs on industry. Although not being launched for formal consultation, the draft Environment Agency guidance, entitled ‘Technical Guidance Note M9’, was sent out last month to a … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 12 Aug 2015
Industry news
Tarmac loses appeal on waste construction
An aggregates firm has lost an appeal to permit almost 70,000 tonnes of waste as recovery for use in construction purposes at Methley Quarry in Leeds. Lafarge Aggregates Limited, now Tarmac, lost the appeal at the Administrative Court in Leeds last week, after it was determined the operation counted as disposal as opposed to recovery … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 12 Aug 2015
Industry news
Birmingham opts to keep 35% recycling target
Birmingham city council has decided to retain its 35% recycling target for 2015/16, after it had been expected to reduce it to 30%. According to the council’s cabinet member for sustainability, the lower target was recommended within the council’s 2014/15 performance monitoring report due to a ‘technical error’. Councillor Lisa Trickett told the cabinet at … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 11 Aug 2015
Industry news
Babz Media fined for breaching environmental rules
Babz Media Limited, an online trading company operating from Bilton Road, Perivale, Middlesex, has been fined £45,500 for non-compliance with environmental legislation across three separate material types: packaging waste, batteries and electrical equipment. The conviction is the first of its type for failing to comply with rules covering all three materials as well as being … Read More The pos…
letsrecycle.com News · 11 Aug 2015
Industry news
DCLG: Weekly guidance still relevant
EXCLUSIVE: DCLG has again called on local authorities to support weekly refuse collections – as a growing number of councils in England turn to three-weekly rounds for residual waste. Reinforcing its position on collection frequency for the first time since the general election, the Department for Communities and Local Government has reiterated that every household … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 11 Aug 2015
Industry news
RDF ‘teething problems’ lead to odour at Pembroke Port
Pembrokeshire county council and its contractor Potters Waste Management have apologised to local residents for ‘initial teething problems’ with RDF processing which gave rise to odour issues at Pembroke Port. The first shipment of refuse derived fuel (RDF) from Pembrokeshire and Ceredigion councils left the port for Sweden this week under a £48 million deal … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 11 Aug 2015
Industry news
England must ‘pick up pace’ to meet recycling target
Council and waste industry members have welcomed growth in England’s recycling rate in the final quarter of 2014 – but warn changes are needed in order to hit the 50% target by 2020. The statistics, which were published by Defra last week (August 6), show England reached a recycling, reuse and composting rate of 44.8% … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 11 Aug 2015
Industry news
Morrisons launches milk that gives customers the choice to pay more to support farmers - Morrisons Corporate
Morrisons media centre · 11 Aug 2015
Industry news
Former council worker charged over food waste bag theft
A former Salford city council employee has been bailed on charges of theft involving “a significant number” of the authority’s biodegradable food waste bags. 30-year-old Paul Strickland of Bolton Road, Worsley, is due to appear before Manchester and Salford Magistrates Court on Wednesday (August 12 2015) to face charges of theft by an employee. Greater … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 10 Aug 2015
Industry news
Appointments round-up (10/08/2015)
With news of a new MD for Coventry & Solihull Waste Disposal Company; sales team appointments at Whitham Mills; a London and South East post for Taylor; and a new engineering manager at Eriez Starkey joins Coventry and Solihull from FCC Coventry and Solihull Waste Disposal Company (CSWDC) has announced the appointment of a new … Read More
letsrecycle.com News · 10 Aug 2015