2011-08-03

West London Waste Authority: "Eight tenderers long-listed for West London waste contract"

Link to WLWA

"The West London Waste Authority (WLWA) has long-listed a total of eight bidders for a long term residual waste treatment contract covering the boroughs of Brent, Ealing, Harrow, Hillingdon, Hounslow, and Richmond upon Thames.

  • Cory Environmental Ltd, 
  • Covanta Energy Ltd, 
  • E.ON Energy from Waste AG, 
  • FCC/Waste Recycling Group Ltd, 
  • SITA UK Ltd, 
  • Veolia ES Aurora Ltd, 
  • Viridor Waste Management Ltd, and 
  • Wheelabrator Technologies Incorporated 
will now be invited to develop outline solutions, as the next stage in the competitive dialogue process that is being employed.

The contract involves treating up to 300,000 tonnes of residual waste per year, generated by a population of 1.4 million people, and covers all aspects of treatment including any necessary transport, the operation of transfer stations, and contracts for outputs such as compost, refuse-derived fuel, recyclates etc.

Bids were invited from “single entity” companies, consortia, or joint ventures. The WLWA has offered the three waste transfer stations within its direct control as part of the procurement, but also welcomed proposals involving sites within bidders’ control, or which they intend to acquire.

Bidders will now be invited to present whatever proposals they feel are the most economically advantageous technology to meet WLWA’s output specification, but the authority is stipulating that the technology must be proven in operation on a municipal scale.

The next stage of the tender process will narrow bidders to three or four, that will present detailed solutions in the first part of 2012. Two final bidders will submit final tenders in Autumn 2012, and the preferred bidder will be selected in Spring 2013.

To find out more about the procurement process, please contact the Procurement Project Administrator, by emailing procurement@westlondonwaste.gov.uk

2011-08-01

Evening Standard: "'Disgust' as park litter experiment backfires"

Link to Evening Standard

"An experiment to get visitors to Hyde Park to take away their litter has left organisers 'disgusted'. Part of the park was left covered in fast-food wrappers, bottles, and even soiled nappies, after staff stopped clearing up at the weekend.

"Keep Britain Tidy spokeswoman Helen Bingham said:
"It was a real mess by this morning - it was disgusting. Lots of people have sat down on the grass and eaten or drunk or changed their baby's nappy, and left it behind. People normally don't see the consequences of littering. But this shows if you don't clear up after yourself, what it looks like. It's revolting."

2011-07-28

The Guardian: "Plastic bag use on the rise after years of decline"

Link to The Guardian

British consumers are packing away their green credentials, along with their weekly shop, as last year an increasing number of us bundled our purchases into single-use plastic carrier bags, instead of seeking out environmentally friendly alternatives.

In Wales, the imminent charge may have helped to cut bag use – the total was down by 7% last year, compared with the rise in England and Scotland. John Griffiths, Welsh environment minister, said a charge was the best way to drive down carrier use, as voluntary agreements with retailers would not achieve enough. He said: 
"These figures show a real difference between carrier bag use in Wales, and that in other parts of the UK, where no mandatory charge is planned. This proves that the carrier bag charge, which is due to be introduced in Wales on 1 October, is the only way to ensure a real and lasting reduction in the use of carrier bags."

2011-07-26

English Heritage: "Listing of London Underground Stations"

Link to English Heritage

"16 London Underground stations have today been listed at Grade ll by Tourism and Heritage Minister John Penrose, on the advice of English Heritage.

"They include several of the tube stations designed by Leslie Green whose 'ox-blood' red tile facades pioneered the use of a strong and consistent corporate image which is recognised around the world. All the stations have historic and architectural significance, illustrating the development of the capital's Underground system.

"Three other stations - Arnos Grove, Oakwood, and Sudbury Town - have been upgraded from Grade II to Grade II*. These stations were designed by the distinguished modernist architect Charles Holden, for the Piccadilly Line extension in the 1930s."



2011-07-24

'Observer' article: "Are single-use paper cups evil?"

Link to The Observer

"Billions of single-use cups are thrown into landfill sites every year and, according to the WWF, to produce a single latte requires 200 litres of water, including the materials and manufacture of the paper cup and cardboard sleeve.

"But is that stained ceramic novelty cup really so superior? In 1994 Professor Martin B Hocking of the University of Victoria in Canada carried out an analysis of the life cycles of beverage cups, pitching the reusable – ceramic, plastic and glass – against the disposable – paper and foam – also factoring in the energy use in manufacturing materials and cleaning of a reusable cup."

2011-07-22

Carey's (Seneca's) Hannah Close, Neasden waste site

Near the North Circular Road girder bridge, Neasden,
 with Metropolitan and Jubilee Lines behind - MAP

From Carey Newsletter, December 2010


"Waste not…"
"In October 2010, the Carey Group received planning permission from Brent Council to build a ‘Super Materials Recycling Facility’ at Hannah Close in Neasden, a few hundred yards from Carey House."
For some time Careys have been working to provide clients with the best possible solutions for their site waste. However, it became clear to John Carey Jnr very early on that the only acceptable solution was to set up our own waste management company.
No other company shared our strength of feeling. We wanted to be transparent in how waste is dealt with, and offer the best possible solution for the environment – and therefore our customers. We looked at partnering but felt unsatisfied with the answers we got.” John Carey Jnr.
"Headed by John Jnr, Seneca Environmental Solutions, has been set up by the Carey Group to build and manage this new venture. Seneca aims to deliver environmental management solutions to clients, starting with recycling and waste management services to Carey Group sites across London and the south east.

"In November [2010], we began construction of phase one of the new facility which will have the capacity to process over 1.1 million tonnes of construction and demolition, business and household waste each year.

"We will separate materials such as paper fibre, wood, metals and plastics which will then be sent for reprocessing into new products, as well as soils and other waste streams.

"We aim to have the facility up and running as soon as February but we will continue to develop our operations after that, including building a wood biomass facility that will be operational in 2013 and will generate renewable energy, leaving the site energy positive.

"Seneca shares the Carey Group ethos of ‘we care’ along with a focus on health and safety, quality and the environment. The new facility is designed with environmental features such as rainwater harvesting and landscaping to improve the biodiversity of the site allowing the project to achieve BREEAM excellent

"We have recruited Michael McLarnon, who has extensive experience in the waste industry, to assist John to set up Seneca. His input has been on everything from assisting the in-house design team in the development of the processing plant to how we engage with the local community.

"Over the next 12 to 18 months, there will be a number of job opportunities at Seneca including administration, accounts, sales and marketing, and operational roles.

"For more information about Seneca, visit www.seneca.co." [This is not a misprint.]



From Carey Newsletter, April 2011

"No More Wasted Opportunities"

"Seneca have been awarded a major two-year waste management contract by the West London Waste Authority (WLWA) to process 70,000 tonnes of mixed waste per year.

"Winning this contract was especially rewarding. Our head office has been in Wembley for many years and establishing Seneca here was an obvious choice. To then secure our local council as our first client, which has generated over 50 new local jobs, is even more satisfying.

"As a company looking to promote greater reuse and recycling of materials, we were also delighted that this contract initiated a new set of evaluation criteria for waste management contracts in West London – where the winning contractor was the one who guaranteed the highest recycling rates as well as the most commercially beneficial.

"The contract is Seneca’s first and, at a contract value of around £7 million per annum, it is a great way for the company to open its gates.

John Carey Jnr – Managing Director, Seneca



From Seneca's web site:

"SENECA: Our Facilities"

Link to web site

"Seneca’s super Materials Recovery Facility (MRF) is located in west London, just off the North Circular (A406), and is situated right next to the main rail track. [The Marylebone-to Aylesbury Line with an enclosed siding, on one side, and the Marylebone-to-Birmingham Line on the other side.] With its own covered rail siding, the facility has multi-functional road and rail access.

"We practise what we preach, and support reuse over recycling, and energy recovery. This is particularly evident in our new state-of-the-art facility which is a refurbished light industrial unit. The refurbishment, as opposed to demolition and new build, created a substantial saving in materials and construction energy costs. The refurbished building has a BREEAM ‘Excellent’ rating, utilises rainwater harvesting and has been landscaped with biodiversity in mind, something often missed in such industrial areas and therefore of even greater importance.

"The surrounding area is, in the main, light industrial and commercial thus providing our neighbouring clients the opportunity to lower their carbon emissions when dealing with their waste by minimising transport costs, in both monetary and carbon costs. This also provides us with potential clients for the recycled raw materials that we will be generating for production and remanufacturing in the future."

Link to Seneca main page and video


Critique of Carey and Seneca: 'Wembley Matters' web site.

2011-07-21

Recycling in Ealing



"The London Borough of Ealing has a recycling rate of 37.6%. Many residents recycle much more than this, by living more sustainably. This household of two adults and six children has a recycling rate of 76%. Ealing currently spends £3,228,995 a year on landfill tax, which will increase to £5,381,658 by 2014, if the recycling rate stays the same."

2011-07-18

Wembley Matters: "Proposed Park Royal Waste Sites Under Attack"

Link to 'Wembley Matters'

"The West London Waste Authority has published the results of its consultation on the West London Waste Plan.

"Perhaps the most important thing to note is the low number of responses: 374. This for a Plan covering six West London boroughs including Brent with a combined population of one and a half million. In addition a petition against Park Royal waste management sites was signed by 193 people and 2237 signed one against the Tavistock Road site in West Drayton."

2011-07-15

Wales: Single use bags (not just plastic!)

The single use carrier bag charge starts on 01 October 2011

Link to 'Single-use carrier bags'

The carrier bag charge is being introduced to dramatically reduce the number of carrier bags used in Wales. This charge will affect all retailers in Wales, not just those who sell groceries.

The Assembly Government has consulted on the charge, and there have been some changes after feedback from businesses, organisations and individuals.

The Assembly Government is proposing:
  • A 5p minimum charge on all bags (including paper bags); and
  • That the charge will start on 1 October 2011.
The 5p charge should be enough to influence consumer behaviour, and reduce the number of bags given out, without putting an unnecessary burden on shoppers, or preventing impulse shopping.

Link to main web page
(Neat logo, eh?)


2011-07-14

Completing the 'London Overground' circle around London



Link to 'London Reconnections'

Work is underway to build the final phase of the orbital London Overground railway around London. The new section will be from Surrey Quays to Clapham Junction, opening by the end of 2012.

The relaid track here passes under the railway viaduct into London Bridge station, near the south-east London domestic waste incinerator (top).

2011-07-09

The Independent: "King of technicolour tourism: A new exhibition celebrates John Hinde's postcards"

Link to the Independent

"The gaudily-coloured postcards are the work of the John Hinde Studio, a company set up in 1956 by its namesake, a failed circus entrepreneur, and the great-grandson of the founder of Clarks shoes. The company would go on to shift 50 million cards a year. It is only recently that its output has been seen as much more than cheesy, throwaway holiday souvenirs.

"... He sent his transparencies to Italy, where technology was more advanced. Not only could images be produced in far lusher shades than was possible over here, they also got additional help with extensive retouching. This would turn insipid sweaters, mousey heads of hair, faded sun-loungers, and dull skies into dazzling points of interest."

2011-07-06

Daily Telegraph: "Recycling dumped in landfill"

Link to Daily Telegraph

"Nearly 200,000 tons of "contaminated" recycling painstakingly collected by householders was dumped in landfill or sent to incinerators last year, according to official figures.

"Gary Porter, the chairman of the Local Government Association Environment Board, said councils are improving recycling rates, but admitted that collection systems must improve:
"It's not just how much recycling we do that's important, it's also how we do it."

2011-06-24

BBC Countryfile: "How much of our rubbish into landfill is actually 'waste'?"



Tom Heap investigates alternatives to the plastic packaging which surrounds our food. (BBC Countryfile. October 24, 2010)

2011-06-17

London School of Economics: "Local Action on Climate Change" report for Friends of the Earth

Link to PDF file of the report

"In the past 12 months, Britain has seen a change of government and a move towards far greater clarity about the future pattern of public expenditure. The Coalition Government has made clear its commitment to maintain the previous administration’s policies towards the reduction of carbon emissions.

"Local government, although expected to face significant expenditure reductions, will also be offered new powers as a result of the Government’s determination to pursue 'localism'. There are both threats and opportunities facing councils, as they decide the future path of their policies towards the environment."

A REPORT BY PROFESSOR TONY TRAVERS, LONDON SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS, FOR FRIENDS OF THE EARTH ENGLAND, WALES & NORTHERN IRELAND

2011-06-14

Defra: "Plans for a zero waste economy launched" (although that includes incineration, so not really - they mean 'zero waste to landfill')

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
'Government Review of Waste Policy in England'
14 July 2011 (click image)

"Plans to help people to do the right thing by reducing waste and increase recycling at home, on the move, or as part of their business have been unveiled today as the Government announced the results of its comprehensive review of waste.

"Speaking at the Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM) conference, Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said:
"People want to do the right thing by reducing waste and recycling at home or out and about and we want to help them. This means making sure communities are getting the collection services they want and not penalising hard-working households who make minor mistakes by putting bins out on the wrong day or leaving a plastic tub in the wrong recycling box.

"For too long, we’ve lagged behind the rest of Europe, although we are catching up fast. Communities and businesses can help us become a first-class zero-waste economy and unlock the real value in the goods that people no longer want."

"Communities Secretary Eric Pickles said:
"It's time to consign the failed policies of unfair bin taxes, bin fines and bin cuts to the dustbin of history. Families pay £120 a month in council tax. Both Whitehall and the town hall need to raise their game, to deliver more frequent and better rubbish and recycling collections in return."

"The Government’s waste review sets out the following priorities:

  • Consult next year on introducing a landfill restriction on wood waste, review the case for introducing landfill bans on other materials, such as metals, textiles and all biodegradable waste. The Government will work with industry, to drive innovation in reuse and recycling in these products, before the start of any bans;
  • Accelerate recycling and reducing waste creation in the first place by providing incentives for householders, recycling-on-the-go schemes, better services for businesses and voluntary responsibility deals focussing on the hospitality industry, paper, direct mail, textiles, and construction waste;
  • Scrap unfair bin fines and taxes, while bringing in powers to deal with repeat fly-tipping offenders, and genuine nuisance neighbours;
  • Crack down on illegal fly-tippers, who persistently and recklessly pollute the environment and countryside. We will introduce appropriate powers to seize vehicles, and look at penalties that might include offenders clearing up items they have dumped; and
  • Consult on increased recycling targets to 2017 for plastic, steel, aluminium and glass. Targets will be consulted on and agreed in time for the 2012 Budget.

"Driving innovation in the £11 billion waste and recycling sector, which employs up to 150,000 people, is expected to push growth by three to four percent over the next few years.

"Waste going to landfill has nearly halved since 2000, with household recycling rates now at 40 per cent and business rates at more than 50 per cent. But more needs to be done, which is why the Government will publish a follow-up zero-waste action plan on waste prevention in December 2013, to check progress and address further developments under any new EU regulation.

"The Anaerobic Digestion strategy and action plan has also been published today, which will enable a thriving industry to grow in England over the next few years, delivering new green jobs, as well as new green energy.

"Key actions in the Government’s Anaerobic Digestion (AD) strategy and action plan include:
  • guidance on the cost and benefits of AD to developers and local authorities, 
  • evidence on the value of digestates, 
  • developing skills and training for AD operators, and 
  • highlighting ‘best practice’ projects that deliver community benefits. 
However, neither the AD strategy nor the waste Review dictates to local authorities the best method of organic waste collections. It is up to councils to decide if they wish to run a separate collection scheme for organic waste.

"AD offers a local, environmentally sound option for waste management, which helps us divert waste from landfill, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and produce renewable energy which could be used to power our homes and vehicles. Farmers and gardeners can also benefit from the fertiliser produced, returning valuable nutrients to the land.

"Energy and Climate Change Minister Greg Barker said:
"Letting rubbish and waste rot in landfill is madness, when we can use it to power our homes and cars. We are already making it financially attractive to turn waste into electricity under the Feed-in Tariffs scheme, and soon there’ll be similar incentives to generate heat too. The Anaerobic Digestion Strategy and Action Plan will help us unlock the potential to get more energy from waste, to reduce emissions in the fight against climate change."

Friends of the Earth: "Victory over the Hull incinerator"

Link to web site

"Plans for a proposed incinerator in Hull have been scrapped.

"Owners of the waste contract for the incinerator - Waste Recycling Group (WRG) - wanted local tax payers to finance the incinerator over 25 years.

"In addition, they'd be forcing the council to supply large amounts of waste - completely undermining reuse and recycling efforts."

(our emphasis)

2011-06-13

The Guardian: "Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth hit back over 'out-of-touch' criticism"

Link to The Guardian

"The green movement is 'out-of-touch, ineffective and bureaucratic', according Charles Secrett, a campaigner who spent a decade leading 'Friends of the Earth' in the UK, which celebrates its 40th anniversary on Wednesday.

"He later told the Guardian:
"The evidence of failure is there for all to see, as environmental problems are getting worse, not better. Previous dips during recessions have seen the movement bounce back stronger than before, [but] it is very tough now. There is no time left, as the degradation of the environment has reached a tipping point."

2011-06-10

BBC: "Global warming since 1995 'now significant'."

Link to BBC web site

"Climate warming since 1995 is now statistically significant, according to Phil Jones, the UK scientist targeted in the 'ClimateGate' affair.

"Last year, he told BBC News that post-1995 warming was not significant; a statement still seen often on blogs critical of man-made climate change.

"But another year of data has pushed the trend past the the standard 95% level threshold usually used to assess whether trends are 'real'."

2011-06-08

Video made by Nottinghamshire campaigners

A video about waste incineration in the UK

BBC: "Facebook bin of shame encourages students to recycle"

Link to BBC web site

"Everything the students throw into their bin is caught on camera and automatically uploaded to Facebook as part of an environmental challenge.

"If there is anything in there that could be recycled, they will lose points and slide down the league table of participants. Worse still, they could be shamed by their friends. Student Alice Morley explained:
"Sometimes we get caught out. If you're really tired, you think, oh well, it doesn't matter."
"One of the university's psychologists, Dr Rob Comber said,
"When we turn 18, we haven't got those people around us who guide us into making the right decisions on issues like sustainability. BinCam helps to change the behaviour of a group, which might otherwise be unaware of the consequences of their actions."

2011-06-07

Evening Standard: "We'll create green spaces for all Londoners, says minister"

Link to Evening Standard

"Communities in London were today promised powers to protect or restore green spaces for recreation and wildlife.

"Environment Secretary Caroline Spelman said:
"We want children to get out into the natural world. It's good for their health, and it helps them to learn. So we'll be removing the barriers to schools taking children on school trips and teaching them outdoors."
"Today's White Paper is the first on the natural environment in 20 years. But critics will argue that the plans come as councils are slashing funding for parks, and some introduce charging for recreation areas."

2011-06-06

Review of Mechanical and Biological Treatment (which rather ignores incineration issues of the residual waste)

Waste Management World
"MBT in Europe: There’s life in the old dog yet"

Link to 'Waste Management World'

"For decades, mechanical-biological waste treatment (MBT) has competed with incineration in the more industrialized countries of the world. Although incineration has generally been favoured by the politicians, uptake of MBT in these developed countries nevertheless continues. For example, in the UK at present, more MBT than conventional thermal treatment capacity is being installed.

"In Britain, responsibility for waste disposal is vested primarily at county level. Local authorities decide which residual waste treatment method shall be adopted, and they are also in charge of accomplishing the mandatory targets of the EU Landfill Directive - in this, Britain drastically differs from the other 24 EU Member States, where national legislation is paramount. As a result, in Britain, the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS), similar to the concept of ‘carbon trading’, has been implemented. The outcomes are awaited with great interest on the continent. 

"A dozen high-grade MBT systems are under construction and in the pipeline in England, most of them using aerobic decomposition technology."

2011-06-03

8 June, Radio 4: "Dust, soil, refuse, filth, sleaze, slime, smut!" (No, it's not 'The Archers')

Thinking Allowed
Wednesday 8 June
4.00-4.30pm, BBC RADIO 4

"Laurie Taylor presents a special edition of 'Thinking Allowed', recorded with an audience of the public at the Wellcome Collection's exhibition on dirt.

"Dirt is dust, soil, refuse, excrement, bacteria, filth, sleaze, slime, smut – how easily the word changes its meaning, from the physical to the moral. It is this fascinating relationship and threat, which dirt seems to pose, that is explored in the Wellcome Collection's exhibition, Dirt: The Filthy Reality Of Everyday Life.

"Laurie and a panel of experts explore the meaning of dirt, its relationship to order, and how hygiene and the mass generation of dirt have become such potent symbols of civilisation. He is joined by anthropologist Adam Kuper, writer and cartoonist Martin Rowson, and historian Amanda Vickery, to discuss dirt and why it provokes such fear, loathing and, occasionally, desire."

Link to video and exhibition details
("Caroline, is that David up to his neck in the slurry tank? Oh no, Joe Grundy's slipped in as well.)

2011-06-01

Channel 5: "How Do They Produce Compost from Domestic Waste?"

This plant near Poole in Dorset takes in 30,000 tonnes/year of 'black-bag' waste. The organic component is separated and then composted. 

The Poole plant also takes 20,000 tonnes/year of food waste. In total, about 25,000 tonnes/year of compost in produced.

Link to Channel 5 video
(item starts just after 6 minutes in)

"Robert dons protective clothing and breathing gear to visit a recycling centre in Canford, near Bournemouth. This state-of-the-art facility transforms 30,000 tonnes of rubbish into rich compost every year. Compost normally takes a long time to prepare, but this facility speeds up the process. After just eight days, the compost is ready to be turned over – using a gigantic tractor with spinning blades. A few weeks later, the compost is ready to serve as ordinary garden mulch."