With news on: Stora Enso to build pilot foam facility in Sweden; unwanted tools in Wigan donated to worthwhile causes; waste and recycling collections disrupted in Bexley; and, Velorim to launch bicycle tyre recycling scheme.
Stora Enso to build pilot foam facility in Sweden
Finnish paper company Stora Enso says it is to build a pilot facility producing Cellufoam, a lightweight, fibre-based foam material for the packaging of fragile products.
The pilot plant will be located at Stora Enso’s Fors Mill in Sweden.
Stora Enso’s Cellufoam is a lightweight, fibre-based foam material for the packaging of fragile products
Markus Mannström, executive vice president of Stora Enso’s biomaterials division, said: “The interest in sustainable packaging solutions is already large and continuously growing.
“Companies are looking for bio-based materials in order to achieve their own environmental goals for recycling, reducing plastic waste and using fossil-free materials, while maintaining high-quality packaging performance.
“Our bio-based foam offers a renewable, recyclable and biodegradable alternative to traditional oil-based packaging foams such as expanded polyethylene and expanded polystyrene.
“With this pilot, we continue to build on our long-term R&D work while introducing innovative materials to replace fossil-based ones.”
Design and engineering of the pilot facility will start immediately. Stora Enso estimates the plant will be ready in the fourth quarter of 2021.
Unwanted tools in Wigan donated to worthwhile causes
Recycling centres in Wigan run by FCC Environment are accepting unwanted garden tools from local residents and donating them to “worthwhile causes”.
The Tool Shed Project takes unwanted garden tools and sends them to be refurbished at Garth Prison, a high security men’s prison near Leyland, Lancashire. The tools are restored in workshops, helping equip inmates with skills they can use in the future.
The Tool Shed Project takes unwanted garden tools and sends them to be refurbished at Garth Prison
Once restored, the tools are donated to primary schools, gardening groups and allotment associations in the area.
Barry Elder, contract manager at FCC Environment said: “This is a fantastic way for people to get rid of any unwanted tools and find new homes for any rusty rakes, forgotten forks and surplus spades.
“Local residents can get rid of their old tools safe in the knowledge that they are supporting people in their area, reducing waste and helping people in prison learn new skills.”
Tools can be donated at any of Wigan’s recycling centres at Kirklees, Slag Lane and Chanters Industrial Estate, which are run by FCC Environment on behalf of Wigan Council. The scheme has been extremely popular since launching back in April, FCC Environment says, with more than 300 tools donated so far.
Waste and recycling collections disrupted in Bexley
Several waste and recycling collections were disrupted this week across the London borough of Bexley.
Bexley London borough council said today (27 August) the disruption stemmed from Serco staff shortages due to sickness.
Bexley London borough council said the disruption stemmed from Serco staff shortages due to sickness
A council statement reads: “A number of waste and recycling collections have been disrupted this week as a result of Serco staff shortages due to sickness.
“Areas affected include parts of Blackfen, Bexley, Bexleyheath, Welling, Crayford and Erith.
“Residents who have been missed are advised to keep their bin out for collection.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.
“Serco are planning for the service to be back to normal and delayed collections caught up by the end of the bank holiday weekend.”
Serco announced last year it had won an extension to its Bexley contract, first signed in November 2009 (see letsrecycle.com story).
In July the services provider said it was pleased to have resolved a dispute over pay with more than 150 refuse workers in Bexley (see letsrecycle.com story).
Velorim to launch bicycle tyre recycling scheme
Staffordshire-based sustainable start-up Velorim is to launch a national bicycle tyre recycling scheme on 1 September.
The company says it has set up a network of collection centres at bike repair shops and recycling centres from which it will pick up scrap tyres and inner tyres.
Velorim’s bicycle tyre recycling scheme is to launch on 1 September
Each tyre will be recycled at a cost of 50p and each inner tube at 20p, Velorim says.
Velorim’s chief executive Dave Hawthorne said: “We are in the process of identifying the appropriate collection centres across the country and as these are confirmed they will appear on our website.
“People can nominate their local bike shop as a collection centre, either by dropping us an email or telling us personally that they should sign up.”
Velorim says it uses scrap tyres to create products known as VeloButadein and VeloSBR for use in manufacturing.
Velorim says it hopes its scheme will divert 85% of scrap bicycle tyres and inner tubes from landfill.
The post News in brief (27/08/20) appeared first on letsrecycle.com.
Source: letsrecycle.com Waste Managment
