With news on: Scottish funding call for circular economy businesses; Recycling in Wales on the rise; North Lincolnshire metal recycling winners announced, and; WasteAid launches fundraiser week.
Minister hails Welsh recycling performance
Final recycling figures for 2015/16 have suggested that local authorities across Wales achieved a combined recycling, composting and reuse rate of 60%.
Councils in Wales have hit 60% recycling and composting, according to the Welsh Government
This exceeds the Welsh Government’s recycling target of 58%. The final results for 2015/16 show that the average combined reuse, recycling and composting rate across Wales’ 22 local authorities increased by 4% points on the final 2014/15 figure and 30% points more than nine years ago.
Welcoming the statistics, the Cabinet Secretary for the environment and rural affairs, Lesley Griffiths said: “Wales leads the way in the UK when it comes to recycling, with these latest figures confirming we are exceeding the ambitious 58% target. This is encouraging as it also suggests we are well on track to meet our 70% target by 2025.
“This achievement is thanks to Local Authorities and householders’ commitment to recycling, together we can continue to make improvements. I’d like to see Wales become Europe’s best recycling nation and when looking at how far we have come since 2006 I believe this is something we can and will achieve.”
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WasteAid launches fundraiser week
WasteAid UK, a charity tackling global waste issues, has launched the first ‘WasteAid Week’ fundraising event.
WasteAid UK runs events to raise money for global waste initiatives
The week, which runs from 7 to 13 November 2016, supports WasteAid UK’s aim of sharing recycling knowledge and skills with communities in the developing world where there are no waste management services.
Activities will take place throughout the week, and WasteAid is urging supporters to set up events in their community and workplace.
Mike Webster of WasteAid UK said: “This is the first WasteAid Week and we’re inviting everyone to take part so we can make a positive global impact. Whatever activity you choose, the money you raise will help spread decent waste management skills around the world.”
According to the charity, research has shown that for every £1 invested in waste management in developing countries, up to £10 is saved in improved health, livelihoods and flood prevention.
Mr Webster added: “Half the world’s waste isn’t properly managed. Open dumping and burning of waste causes serious health problems, as well as contributing to global mega-issues like marine plastics and climate change.
“That’s why sharing simple waste management and recycling skills is hugely worthwhile and a very affordable approach.”
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Scottish funding for circular economy businesses
Zero Waste Scotland has announced a funding call for local enterprise bodies in Scotland to accelerate improvements in recycling and a shift towards a ‘circular economy’.
Roseanna Cunningham, Scotland’s Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform
Speaking at the Scottish Resources Conference 2016 on 6 October, Cabinet Secretary for climate change, environment and land reform Roseanna Cunningham announced the targeted funding call, which falls under the Circular Economy investment fund.
Ms Cunningham said the funding will help enterprise networks to identify and implement innovative circular economy ideas from small or medium sized enterprises (SMEs).
This regional opportunity is part of an £18 million circular economy investment programme being managed by Zero Waste Scotland using funding from the Scottish Government and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Iain Gulland, chief executive at Zero Waste Scotland explained: “This approach for regional SMEs will accelerate a Circular Economy throughout Scotland by helping businesses be resource efficient and by opening up collaboration opportunities. Our programme will deliver a step change in the scale, range and depth of existing resource efficiency work across all business and social economy sectors in Scotland.”
Grants available under the Circular Economy Investment Fund are for a minimum of £20,000 and a maximum of £1,000,000.
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North Lincolnshire runs Metal Matters competition
North Lincolnshire council has announced the seven winners of the ‘Metal Matters’ recycling competition that ran throughout the summer.
The competition aimed to raise awareness of the items that can be recycled in the green kerbside recycling boxes.
Participants had to guess the number of cans, tins, aerosols, foil and batteries in two green kerbside recycling boxes. Residents who guessed the nearest won a £20 high street voucher.
The prizes have been donated by Alupro (The Aluminium Packaging Recycling Organisation) as part of the campaign.
Cllr Neil Poole, cabinet member for Environment, said: “We are always looking for different ways to encourage people to recycle as much as possible and increase peoples’ knowledge of what can and cannot be recycled.
“The competition is a great way to raise awareness of the Metal Matters campaign and show people just what you can put in your green recycling box.”
The post News in brief (10/10/2016) appeared first on letsrecycle.com.
Source: letsrecycle.com Metal
