With news on: Plymouth’s worst fly-tipper jailed; MP visits FCC Environment’s Eastcroft plant; free bulky waste removal days held by Broxtowe; and, COSLA criticises Scottish budget.
‘Plymouth’s worst fly-tipper’ jailed
A man dubbed ‘Plymouth’s worst fly-tipper’ for dumping waste collected from people’s homes in the countryside has been jailed after three years on the run.
The Environment Agency said Martin McDonagh, 26, who fled to Ireland nine days before he was due in court in February 2017 and was sentenced in his absence to 20 months in prison, has now been extradited back to Devon to serve his sentence.
Martin McDonagh pleaded guilty to dumping waste at 18 different locations during a 12-month period
McDonagh appeared in Plymouth Crown Court on 24 February 2020 and was told he would serve his sentence with an additional six weeks for failing to surrender to custody.
Adrian Evans of the Environment Agency said: “McDonagh was described by the judge during his original sentencing as a ‘persistent offender who showed a ruthless determination to dump waste wherever it suited’.
“We have been determined to catch him to show there is severe punishment for fly-tipping and no escaping it.
“Any short-term financial reward is dwarfed by the penalty when you get caught.”
MP visits FCC Environment’s Eastcroft plant
MP for Nottingham South Lilian Greenwood visited Spanish waste management company FCC Environment’s Nottingham-based Eastcroft energy from waste plant last week (20 February).
During her visit, Ms Greenwood observed how the facility generated heat and power for homes and public buildings in the area.
(L-R) Tony Cox of FCC Environment with Lilian Greenwood MP and Julie Fourcade, FCC Environment
Ms Greenwood said: “It was fascinating to witness how FCC Environment uses household waste from city residents’ bins to generate steam which is then used to provide hot water, heating and electricity to thousands of homes and businesses across Nottingham.
“I was pleased to be reminded how waste that could have ended up in landfill is being used to reduce Nottingham’s reliance on fossil fuels to supply the city’s energy needs.
“Dealing with climate change is an absolutely critical issue for our generation and I am proud that there is a facility right here in Nottingham helping us to tackle it.”
Operated by FCC Environment since 1998, Eastcroft is one of six plants run by the waste management company.
Free bulky waste removal days held by Broxtowe
A series of free bulky waste removal days are to be held in March by Nottinghamshire-based Broxtowe borough council to help residents dispose of large items.
Fourteen bulky waste events are to be held at various venues across three weekends in March as part of the borough’s Clean and Green campaign.
The collections will be held at venues including parish halls and car parks
Chair of the environment and climate change committee Councillor Helen Skinner said: “We are really pleased to be able to offer these bulky waste days as we know it’s not always easy to get to a recycling site to dispose of bulky items.
“We also know how popular the previous collections have been with all dates selling out.
“We hope that these bulky waste days will help residents get rid of their unwanted items and help reduce the chances of them being fly-tipped.”
Residents must bring their bulky waste to the collection site to have it removed by the council.
Items such as furniture, electrical goods, beds, carpets, doors and radiators will be accepted.
Those who cannot make the events can use the council’s bulky waste collection service, which costs £13 per collection, plus £7 for each item of waste collected.
COSLA criticises Scottish budget
The representative body of Scottish councils has expressed concerns Scotland’s 2045 climate change targets will not be met, saying the government’s draft budget would force local authorities to use ageing, high-emission vehicles.
COSLA, the national association of Scottish councils, said the budget fell short of the what the organisation considered a fair settlement for local authorities.
The budget was announced by Scottish public finance minister Kate Forbes on 7 February
COSLA environment and economy spokesperson Councillor Steven Heddle said: “Local government is eager to be a leader in the fight to tackle climate change, but resources are needed.
“Instead of additional resource to allow investment in emission-reducing infrastructure, energy efficiency measures and digital services delivery, we have seen a cut to the local government budget.
“This must be addressed if we are serious about tackling climate change.
“We are calling on the government and the parliament to address these concerns, listen to our asks and allow investment in essential council services which can make a real difference in the fight against climate change.”
COSLA said the proposals resulted in a £95 million cut to revenue and £117 million cut to capital budgets.
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Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
