BPF creates sustainable packaging design tool
The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has created a new ‘sustainable design tool’ for plastic packaging.
Packscore is intended to be used by brands, retailers and designers at the earliest stages of packaging design, to assess whether the packaging can be easily recycled – and encourage solutions if this is not the case.
PackScore is supported by recycling charity RECOUP and is based on the Recyclass system developed by Plastics Recyclers Europe. Users answer a series of simple questions in order to receive a recyclability rating from A – F.
The tool was originally produced by Berry International and subsequently developed by the BPF.
Philip Law, BPF director general, said: “The BPF is proud to announce the launch of PackScore, and hopes everyone from brand managers, packaging designers and retailers use the tool.”
Record turnover for VWS Software Solutions
Waste management software creators VWS Software Solutions have reported a record turnover for the 2018/19 financial year.
The increase is equivalent to over 70% compared to results from the previous year. VWS produce the PurGo software and were set up to create an ERP system to meet the specific requirements of waste and recycling operators.
In the past six months the company has hired five new staff members, moved to larger offices in Liverpool and set up an apprenticeship programme.
Andy Mirecki, managing director at VWS Software Solutions, said: “We’ve grown significantly across all areas over the past 12 months. Turnover, staff levels, office space and new customers have all nearly doubled, plus we have a very healthy number of pending orders that are currently being rolled out.”
Suez invites visitors for Heritage Open Days 2019
Suffolk and Kirklees residents were invited to see what happens to their waste as Suez opened the doors to its facilities as part of the national Heritage Open Days scheme.
Suffolk’s Energy from Waste (EfW) site near Ipswich and the Kirklees EfW and Materials Recovery Facility in Huddersfield were both taking part in the scheme for the first time.
The Heritage Open Day scheme is an annual week-long event in September that sees buildings used to celebrate heritage, community and history.
Anna Bell, SUEZ’s Regional Manager in Kirklees, said: “The day was a huge success! We had over 50 people book on to tours on the Saturday – we could have easily registered another 100 people.”
In Suffolk, county councillor Paul West – cabinet member for waste – said : “The open day was a great opportunity for people to understand the whole waste story and get a close up look at the working plant in operation.”
LSS launches new ‘big yellow’ website
Leeds-based LSS Waste Management – who say they are renowned for their big yellow skips – have overhauled their online presence with a new ‘big yellow’ website.
The website is also accompanied by a new brochure, which reflects the look of the updated online site.
Nigel Woolford, managing director and founder of LSS Waste, said: “A company’s website should reflect the business and we felt the old site was looking past its sell-by date. The new site encapsulates who we are and what we do perfectly, and looks great to boot.”
LSS processes up to 300,000 tonnes of waste annually and recycling over 95% of this.
Monmouthshire opens new recycle shop at HWRC
A re-use shop has been opened at a Monmouthshire Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) as part of the county council’s efforts to tackle climate change.
‘The Shop’ at Llanfoist HWRC was officially opened by council chair, Councillor Shelia Woodhouse, and Councillor Jane Pratt earlier this month, but has been operating since June. In this time it has diverted seven tonnes of material from the waste stream and back into use.
All profits from The Shop will go towards supporting climate change initiatives such as tree planting, community orchards and community gardens projects.
Councillor Jane Pratt, cabinet member for Infrastructure and Neighbourhood Services, said: “To see items that would usually end up on landfill find a new home is wonderful and it’s also just another step in the council’s commitment to tackling climate change.”
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