November 2023 Future Waste by Future Waste

Issue 8 • November 2023

ELDAN RECYCLING FROM DENMARK TO THE WORLD

RWM 2023 REVIEW RWM EXPO 2023 WOWED AT THE BIRMINGHAM NEC

AMP ROBOTICS WHY RECYCLING RECOGNITION IS FUNDAMENTAL

OLIO DON’T BUY IT OR BIN IT. OLIO IT!

WELCOME

FUTURE WASTE NOVEMBER 2023

Don’t be forLAWN about Green Waste…

hat’s that? It’s the final issue of the year? Well OH MY GOODNESS! It’s hard to believe this is the end of our first full year as an independent magazine, but that it is, dear readers. And what a fully packed issue we have for you! This time our focus is green waste; if it’s au natural and biodegradable, we’re going to talk about it. Let’s kick things off with our feature article all about the various disposal methods for green waste. Whether it’s on an industrial scale or in the humble home, we’ve got it covered in ‘Its Not That Easy Being Green’. We also have not one, but two incredible interviews this issue! ELDAN recycling adorns our front cover and detail to us exactly how they became industry giants and what they’re looking forward to in 2024. Our editor was also lucky enough to sit down with Tessa Clarke, Co-founder and CEO of Olio and look back at exactly how the famous food sharing app got started and truly created a change in people’s attitude to food waste. And not only that, but we have two event reviews! In a massive 8 page article, we take you through the delights of RWM, the birth place of Future Waste. We bring you all the dazzling highlights of the exciting expo, showing you everything we got up to over our two days there. On top of this, we show you round Sunbelt Rentals’ Go Greener Day, a small and exclusive showcase of their top products.

CONTRIBUTORS NILLA HEDLUND ELDAN RECYCLING MARIE-PIER VALLÉE AMP ROBOTICS TESSA CLARKE OLIO HANNAH PASCOE SUNBELT RENTALS LTD ALEX COX SMT GB

partners with: PART OF

No need to be green with envy, simply enjoy!

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@FUTUREWASTEuk Future Waste

CONTENTS

CONTENTS In this November issue...

28 09 Latest News A round-up of the latest news from the recycling and waste sectors over the past few months.

28 RWM 2023 Review This year, the air was rife with anticipation for what the show had in store, and if RWM taught us anything this year, it’s that the world is set for change!

37 Cover Story: Complete Recycling Solutions ELDAN Recycling, tell us how they went from a small family business in Denmark to become a global giant in the recycling world.

44 It’s Not That Easy Being Green Rebecca Phillips spills the beans (right into the correct waste bin) about how to dispose of green waste.

50 Company Profile: AMP Robotics Detailing their fantastic presentation from RWM’s Material Village Theatre, AMP Robotics prove why they are so fundamental to our future.

57 Olio: Share More, Waste Less Rebecca Phillips sits down with Tessa Clarke, CEO of Olio, to talk about their journey to become to UK’s top food sharing app.

64 Sunbelt Rentals’ Go Greener Day Review Being green isn’t just their brand colour, it’s vital to Sunbelt’s ethos.

37 6

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CONTENTS

57 NOVEMBER 23

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HIGH CAPACITY RECYCLING SOLUTIONS WORLD-WIDE SINCE 1956! and Scann more! lear

• • • • • • • • • • •

Tyre Recycling Aluminium Recycling Cable Recycling Electronics Recycling MSW Recycling Fridge Recycling ASR Recycling Various Scrap Car Battery Recycling Conveyor Belt Recycling Solar Panel Recycling ®

eldan-recycling.com • info@eldan-recycling.com

Empowering Global Waste Solutions

NEWS

SUEZ AND SURREY COUNTY COUNCIL DONATE OVER £10,000 TO LOCAL CHARITIES

aunched in March 2023, the Revive Community Fund is a joint venture of SUEZ recycling and recovery UK (SUEZ) and Surrey County Council (SCC) that aims to reduce waste and support organisations working to improve community life and protect the environment of Surrey. In its first funding round this summer, the Revive Community Fund awarded £10,624 to four local organisations: Mayford Village Hall, The Lucy Rayner Foundation, Waverley hoppa Community Transport, and Holme Farm. Westminster Council has invested £20m in The Revive Community Fund which is paid for through the five Revive re-use shops located at Community Recycling Centres across Surrey that sell second-hand items for the home and garden, diverting over 1,000 tonnes per year away from disposal. Each year, 10% of net profits from the shops are donated to local charities and the remaining profit is reinvested into the recycling service. Since 2018, the scheme has raised over £68,000 for Surrey charities. In the first funding round of the new Revive Community Fund, Mayford Village Hall was awarded £5,000 to improve the accessibility of their facilities by building a new wheelchair ramp to the community garden. These improvements will allow for more Surrey residents to access the community events and programmes hosted at the village hall throughout the year.

Paul Atkins, Chairman of Mayford Village Hall Trustees said: “MVH Trustees are very grateful to the Revive Community Fund for their generous contribution to our garden upgrade project. The trustees seek to constantly improve the accessibility of our facilities and partnerships such as this with Revive are a great way to benefit the local community.” The Lucy Rayner Foundation was awarded £2,500 toward the development of a new wellbeing centre. Their mission is to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of physical and mental ill health in young people, and their new wellbeing centre will provide talking therapies and dedicated spaces for relaxation and mental health training, as well as a gym and a kitchen to educate visitors on diet and nutrition. Waverley hoppa Community Transport was awarded £2,000 towards the purchase of a new electric bus to support their mission of providing transportation services for people who cannot access ordinary transport due to illness, disability, vulnerability, or isolation. Waverley hoppa is committed to reducing emissions and is transitioning from diesel to electric vehicles by adding two new electric vehicles each year. Richard Davies, General Manager for Waverley hoppa Community Transport said: “We were delighted to receive a donation of £2,000 from the Revive Community Fund. Our new electric bus is already in service and is operating in

Farnham. With a range of 150 miles, it can fulfil a school run and a day’s bookings on the hoppa Shoppa. This latest addition to our fleet is helping us with our mission to reduce our carbon footprint and offers our customers a more eco-friendly transport option too.” Holme Farm was also awarded £1,124 to purchase railway sleepers that will be used to build raised garden beds so that wheelchair users and people with limited mobility can access their community gardens. Holme Farm is a new community hub with a multi-facility approach to health, wellbeing, and community, and providing a therapeutic environment in which people within North Surrey can socialise, learn and thrive. Ronnie Kendall, Trustee and Project & Fundraising Lead for Holme Farm said: “We’re pleased to have received this generous contribution from The Revive Community Fund. This donation will help improve accessibility to our community gardens, allowing Holme Farm to continue providing vital support services that helps improve the health and wellbeing of people within North Surrey.” Gareth Swain, Regional Manager for SUEZ said: “At SUEZ, we are committed to putting people and planet at the heart of everything we do, in every community that we serve. We are proud to be able to continue supporting local charities with this new community fund and to give something back to our neighbours. By funding groups that are already making a positive contribution in their local area, we hope to make a lasting difference in Surrey.” Natalie Bramhall, Cabinet Member for Property and Waste at Surrey County Council said: “The Revive Community fund is a great example of how organisations can work together to benefit our community. As a council, our vision for 2030 is that all Surrey residents will have a great start to life, live healthy and fulfilling lives and feel supported within their communities. We are pleased to support these four inspiring organisations that are working towards a brighter future for Surrey.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To learn more about the fund, please visit: www.suez.co.uk/en-gb/news NOVEMBER 23

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NEWS

STREETKIND CAMPAIGN IS CLEANING UP SHEFFIELD’S STREETS WITH KINDNESS

eolia and Sheffield City Council are taking a stand to tackle unacceptable verbal and physical abuse that frontline colleagues face on a daily basis as they carry out their essential duties. In partnership, Veolia and Sheffield City Council provide the city with recycling and waste collection services. While executing these essential duties, frontline staff reported over 40 cases of abuse from the general public in 2022. Although most people treat frontline staff with respect and kindness, a surge in physical and verbal abuse has prompted both the council and Veolia to launch this campaign. The campaign’s primary focus is to support frontline teams by creating a safer working environment. It includes a comprehensive training program designed to help staff defuse volatile situations, handle incidents effectively, and understand when to involve the police. As part of the campaign, a series of videos using actual 360° CCTV footage from collection vehicles has been created to shed light on the abuse experienced by frontline staff. In one scenario, a van can be seen mounting the pavement to 10

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drive around the vehicle while workers are emptying bins – putting both them and the public in danger. In another instance, a member of the public can be seen physically attacking a worker for not accepting extra waste. Sheffield residents can actively support the campaign online by using the hashtag #StreetKind and by showing their appreciation to frontline teams in person with a smile and a wave as they go about their duties. These dedicated staff work tirelessly in all weather conditions to ensure efficient waste collection, contributing to a cleaner city, even though their essential work often goes unnoticed. The StreetKind campaign will also focus on improving road safety and promoting safe behaviors around collection vehicles. Many incidents result from impatient drivers who do not allow workers to carry out their duties safely. By coming together with Sheffield residents through the StreetKind campaign, the aim is to foster a caring and respectful community. Richard Hulland, Veolia’s Chief Risk & Assurance Officer, Northern Europe said: “I talk to our people on a regular basis and they are passionate about their work and their teams. No one should be abused simply for doing their job

and we’re determined to combat this unacceptable trend. That’s why I was delighted to see our StreetKind campaign win at this year’s Awards for Excellence. “As well as appealing to the public to show their appreciation for our teams, our campaign focuses on training and support for our employees to respond to incidents. We stand shoulder to shoulder with our teams and will take the most serious action for the most serious attacks, including criminal prosecutions, in order to build a safer workplace environment for our colleagues.” Cllr Joe Otten, Chair of the Waste and Street Scene Committee at Sheffield City Council said: “Our workers do an excellent job every day and Streetkind encourages us to show even more appreciation for their efforts. We hope through this campaign we can reduce the abuse workers can sometimes receive while delivering critical services for our city and I’m proud to support it.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To learn more about Veolia, please visit: www.veolia.co.uk NOVEMBER 23

NEWS

BIFFA PARTNERS UP WITH HOUSEBUILDERS AND SUPPLIERS TO PROVIDE PRACTICAL SOLUTIONS FOR REDUCING PACKAGING WASTE

he UK government estimates 204,530 new homes were completed in the UK financial year ending March 2022. That is roughly 1.43 billion bricks, 1.6 million windows and just over 1.2 million doors – all products contained in some form of packaging mostly single use. With environmental challenges increasing, sustainability has become a key focus within the construction sector with its unique sustainability challenges, with packaging waste being a significant one. A comprehensive industry report by The Supply Chain Sustainability School has been released focused on “Packaging Optimisation in the Housebuilding Sector.” The report offers practical examples of eliminating or reducing packaging from infancy then adapting packaging design which improve recyclability and offering alternatives to plastic. Through processes such as testing ulterior plastics corner protectors, film wraps, strapping reusable delivery boxes and using refillable mastic cartridges, the report delves into the critical issue of packaging waste alongside offering practical solutions promising to reduce the impact on both costs and carbon footprint.

content and avoiding excessive use of branding, inks and stickers. • Switch from plastic and expanded polystyrene to cardboard or pulp for packaging elements which protect products.

• Ensure containers are sized appropriately to reduce the need for additional space packing.

• Engage the whole supply chain to reduce or enable more circular use of pallets. In addition to practical solutions, the report shines a light on the policy challenges that organizations dealing with significant packaging volumes are likely to encounter. It addresses key concerns such as the Plastic Packaging Tax and Extended Producer Responsibility, two pivotal aspects of contemporary sustainability policies. Roger Wright, Waste Strategy & Packaging Manager at Biffa said: “In the recent past, a focus on sustainable packaging development has been in Food Retail, however it’s great to see Housebuilding finally getting shown the love and attention it deserves in this area. The challenges and opportunities

for sustainable packaging in such sector are no less important or significant than any other, with some brilliant businesses turning insights into action!” Will Keer, Head of Construction and Supply at Biffa summarised: “The critical role waste management providers such as Biffa play in sustainable packaging development is often overlooked, so we were delighted to be involved in this collaborative project. By engaging the entire supply chain, this report provides businesses with practical and sustainable steps to optimising their packaging.” The Supply Chain Sustainability School’s latest report is a testament to the construction industry’s commitment to sustainability. It addresses the critical issue of packaging waste and offers practical solutions paving the way for a more environmentally responsible and financially sound future.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To learn more about Biffa, please visit: www.biffa .co.uk

Mark Turner, Waste and Resource Management lead for the Supply Chain Sustainability School, highlighted the collaborative effort behind the report: “This has been a brilliant opportunity to help deliver our School mission to enable a sustainable built environment through knowledge and collaboration. We have worked closely alongside four of the UK’s largest Housebuilders and in total over 30 leading organisations within the built environment to produce this report. Insights from the Housebuilders, their suppliers, product manufacturers, along with waste management and policy experts have provided a window into the opportunities for packaging optimisation.” By providing essential insights into practical solutions the report equips businesses with the knowledge needed to navigate these decisions with great success, as exemplified by their five tips: • Question if packaging is needed at all – especially plastic wrap. • Optimise wrap use by minimising thickness, specifying LDPE or LLDPE using at least 30 percent recycled NOVEMBER 23

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NEWS

CLOSING THE BOTTLE CAP LOOP: GREENPATH AND TOMRA PIONEER MECHANICAL SORTING SOLUTION FOR SEPARATING POLYOLEFINS BY POLYMER TYPE AND COLOUR

alifornia-based full-service recycler, processor and manufacturer, Greenpath Enterprises, has partnered with TOMRA Recycling Sorting to install and optimise a plastic flake sorting production line designed to identify and separate mixed polyolefin caps from beverage bottles. Operating for more than 25 years, the vertically integrated Greenpath accepts a wide range of materials, and the infeed stream is somewhat inconsistent. Greenpath creates value being a onestop solution by accepting mixed infeed loads with variable supply streams and producing consistent, quality products. In terms of post-consumer polyolefins – low-density polyethylene (LDPE), high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and polypropylene (PP) – Greenpath accepts film, rigid plastics and bottle caps. “Polypropylene and polyethylene (PE) are together the most abundant plastic family on earth, but the mixed polyolefin market is limited for valuable applications,” comments Eric Olsson, area segment manager, plastics for TOMRA. PE and PP have very close density characteristics and are challenging to separate. So, mixed polyolefins are primarily downcycled into more forgiving applications that allow for more contamination.

The quest for cap to cap A more mature PET recycling infrastructure has led to brand owners incorporating up to 100% post-consumer recycled content (PCR) material in their bottles. Greenpath has extensive processing capabilities with different lines to sort diverse feedstock and is adept at mechanical, multi-material and batch recycling processes. To close the loop on caps, Greenpath investigated various technologies to sort the mixed polyolefins. With PE and PP densities being very close to one another, float/ sink tanks were not deemed effective, and other recycling technologies didn’t offer the desired recovery for both PE and PP resins. “The yields are low, and you have to consider the expenditure, space and waste generated from the separation process,” says Castro.

Mechanical sorting flexibility Greenpath’s purity, yield and throughput goals led them to selecting INNOSORT FLAKE. The unit does not require a large footprint, allowing for easier integration.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION For further information about TOMRA, visit: www.tomra.com 12

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Designed for flexibility, INNOSORT FLAKE incorporates a unique combination of sensor technologies, including colour cameras capable of identifying 16.8 million colour variations. “A camera is positioned on each side of the chute, so it can see the difference between each side of the flake,” explains Olsson. This helps to identify in-mould labelling that can be a contaminant.

Its FLYING BEAM lighting system offers fast and reliable material detection by the sorter’s near-infrared (NIR) sensors. Homogeneous light distribution ensures classification of PE and PP materials, as well as other polymers and materials. Integrated into the scanner box for protection against damage, it offers up to 80% energy savings over conventional light sensors.

Optimising for consistency Both companies have been committed to getting the process right and have paid special attention to sorting optimisation. The system first sorts by polymer using INNOSORT FLAKE and then by colour. “If a customer wants a natural or specific sorted colour PE or PP product, we can purify and provide them a sorted colour that meets their specific application using PCR,” says Castro. TOMRA’s Olsson shows optimism for the accomplishment, its impact on the market and what it means for packaging companies trying to meet recycled content targets. “We’re at the beginning for mixed waste streams of polyolefins going closed loop. It won’t just be a pipe dream for polyolefins anymore.” TOMRA has approximately 105,000 installations in over 100 markets worldwide and had total revenues of about 12 billion NOK in 2022. The Group employs 5,000 globally and is publicly listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange. The company headquarters are in Asker, Norway. NOVEMBER 23

NEWS

PCG TO CONSTRUCT ASIA’S LARGEST ADVANCED CHEMICAL RECYCLING PLANT

CG reaches FID for the construction of an advanced chemical recycling plant in Pengerang, Johor, targeted to be operational by first half of 2026. The plant will use Plastic Energy’s patented technology to convert end-oflife plastics into pyrolysis oil, which can be used for the creation of recycled plastics. PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad (PCG), has reached the final investment decision (FID) to construct Asia’s largest advanced chemical recycling plant with a capacity of 33 kilo-tonnes per annum (ktpa). The plant which will be located in Pengerang, Johor, is targeted to be operational by the first half of 2026. The FID announcement also saw the signing of the Technology License Agreement (TLA) between PCG’s subsidiary and Plastic Energy Limited (Plastic Energy) and awarding of the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) to Mutiara Etnik Sdn. Bhd. As part of PCG’s New Plastics Economy agenda to support the transition towards a circular economy and contribute to a sustainable plastics ecosystem, the plant will unlock plastics waste chemical recycling capabilities in Malaysia through the conversion of end-of-life plastics into pyrolysis oil or TACOIL™, which can be used as chemical feedstock towards the production of sustainable plastics. “Through the advanced chemical recycling plant, we envision driving innovation across the plastics value chain while creating opportunities for all parties, from waste collectors to manufacturers, to jointly contribute to the circular plastics economy. This enables us to propel the nation’s aspiration in phasing out singleuse plastics, in line with Malaysia’s Plastic Sustainability Roadmap 2021-2030, while

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fulfilling the growing demand from major brands for sustainable packaging,” said PCG Managing Director / Chief Executive Officer Ir. Mohd Yusri Mohamed Yusof. Plastic Energy will be providing the chemical recycling technology for the plant through its patented TAC™ process, which heats mixed post-consumer plastic waste in the absence of oxygen. This process then produces hydrocarbon vapours, that are condensed into pyrolysis oil or TACOIL™ which can be used as a substitute for hydrocarbon feedstock in the production of food-grade recycled plastics. “After starting our collaboration with PCG back in 2019, we are pleased to be chosen as the technology provider for their new chemical recycling plant in Malaysia. Together we share a common goal to reduce plastic pollution in Asia by increasing the amount of plastic waste that can be recycled, and expanding recycling infrastructure in the region,”

said Carlos Monreal, Chief Executive Officer of Plastic Energy. “We are excited to be the EPC partner for this groundbreaking project by PCG. We have always been committed to excellence in every project we undertake, and we will ensure that this plant will meet PCG’s expectations,” said Datuk Surendran Menon, Managing Director of Mutiara Etnik. The advanced chemical recycling plant will benefit Malaysia’s plastics value chain beyond closing the loop of the plastics life cycle by creating an ecosystem that promotes the transition to a circular economy.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To learn more about PCG, please visit: www.petronas.com/pcg/ NOVEMBER 23

NEWS

WATER CRISIS THREATENS $58 TRILLION IN ECONOMIC VALUE, FOOD SECURITY AND SUSTAINABILITY

irst ever annual estimate of economic value of water and freshwater ecosystems is $58 trillion – equivalent to 60% of global GDP. Degradation of rivers, lakes, wetlands and aquifers threatens their economic value and their irreplaceable role in sustaining human and planetary health October 16, 2023 (Washington, DC) Water, the world’s most precious yet undervalued resource, lies at the heart of a mounting global crisis that threatens both human and planetary health, warns a new report, published today by WWF. Released on World Food Day, The High Cost of Cheap Water uncovers a stark reality: the annual economic value of water and freshwater ecosystems is estimated to be $58 trillion – equivalent to 60% of global Gross Domestic Product (GDP)*. But the world’s freshwater ecosystems are in a downward spiral, posing an ever growing risk to these values. Since 1970, the world has lost one-third of its remaining wetlands, while freshwater wildlife populations have, on average, dropped by 83%. This disastrous trend has contributed to growing numbers of people facing water shortages and food insecurity, as rivers and lakes have faced extremes of drought and flooding, pollution has increased and food sources, such as freshwater fisheries, have declined. The water crisis is also exacerbating economic pressures and undermining global efforts to reverse nature loss and adapt to the worsening impacts of climate change, from devastating droughts and extreme floods to sea level rise. “Water and freshwater ecosystems are not only fundamental to our economies, they are also the lifeblood of our planet and our future,” said Stuart Orr, WWF Global Freshwater Lead. “We need to remember that water doesn’t come from a tap – it comes from nature. Water for all depends on healthy freshwater ecosystems, which NOVEMBER 23

are also the foundation of food security, biodiversity hotspots and the best buffer and insurance against intensifying climate impacts. Reversing the loss of freshwater ecosystems will pave the way to a more resilient, nature-positive and sustainable future for all.” For example, the report shows that here in the U.S. and in Mexico, the Rio Grande/ Rio Bravo (RGRB) is drying up due to extensive human water withdrawals that are exacerbated by climate change. The RGRB supplies water for agricultural, industrial and municipal uses for more than 6 million people in the United States and slightly over 10 million people in Mexico. If actions are not taken today, we could see a 25% loss of river flows in parts of the RGRB basin by 2050, leading to devastating consequences for the people, wildlife and businesses that it sustains. “The alarming impacts from droughts, floods, decline of critical species, and water availability for human use and agriculture are staggering,” said Michele Thieme, WWF Deputy Director, Freshwater. “There is still an opportunity to lessen and even prevent these impacts from causing further acute harm, but we must take action now to safeguard these vital life supporting ecosystems.” The report finds that direct economic benefits, such as water consumption for households, irrigated agriculture and industries, amount to a minimum of $7.5 trillion annually. It also estimates that the unseen benefits - which include purifying water, enhancing soil health, storing carbon, and protecting communities from extreme floods and droughts - are seven times higher at around $50 trillion annually. However, the degradation of rivers, lakes, wetlands, and groundwater aquifers is threatening these values as well as undermining action on climate and nature and progress towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Extracting unsustainable amounts of water, harmful subsidies, alterations to river flows, pollution, and climate change-related

impacts are endangering freshwater ecosystems. Shockingly, two-thirds of the world’s largest rivers are no longer freeflowing, while wetlands are continuing to be lost three times as fast as forests. Combined with poor water management, the destruction of freshwater ecosystems has left billions of people worldwide lacking access to clean water and sanitation, while water risks to businesses and economies are growing. By 2050, around 46% of global GDP could come from areas facing high-water risk - up from 10% today. To address the global water crisis, WWF calls for governments, businesses and financial institutions to urgently increase investment in sustainable water infrastructure. However, it cautions that outdated thinking, which focuses solely on more built infrastructure and ignores the source of the problem: degraded rivers, lakes, wetlands, and aquifers, will not solve the water crisis, especially in the era of climate disruption. The key lies in recognizing the role of freshwater ecosystems as natural infrastructure that can support confronting the twin crises of climate change and nature loss. Investments need to focus on reversing the ongoing loss of freshwater ecosystems. Governments, for example, should join the Freshwater Challenge, a country-led initiative that aims to restore 300,000 km of degraded rivers and 350 million hectares of degraded wetlands globally by 2030 and to protect intact freshwater ecosystems. Meanwhile businesses must transform their approach to water and scale up collective action to build more resilient river basins.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Find out more on the website: www.worldwildlife.org/ press-releases Future Waste

NEWS

SHADOW MINISTER LEARNS ABOUT CRUCIAL ROLE OF WASTE WOOD BIOMASS

Pictured at Eco’s Dorset site are (l-r): Peter Hardy, Business Development Director for Eco Sustainable Solutions; Dr Alan Whitehead MP, Shadow Energy Security Minister; Richard Coulson, Chair of the WRA; Julia Turner, Executive Director at the WRA.

he Shadow Minister for Energy Security, Dr Alan Whitehead, learnt about the important role that waste wood plays in delivering renewable biomass power during a meeting organised by the Wood Recyclers’ Association (WRA). Dr Whitehead, who is also Labour MP for Southampton Test, was shown around the waste wood operation at Eco Sustainable Solutions’ Eco Park in Dorset on Tuesday, 3 October, before hearing from the WRA about the wider waste wood industry. At the Eco Park, Eco processes 65,000 tonnes of waste wood a year into BioFuel, some of which powers its in-house Biomass Combined Heat and Power (CHP) plant which provides renewable heat and electricity for the site. Eco also processes a number of other organic waste streams at the 32-acre site, ranging from green waste to street sweepings. After the tour, the WRA’s Chair Richard Coulson and Executive Director Julia Turner provided an overview of the UK waste wood market and outlined the many benefits the waste wood sector brings. However, Mr Coulson explained that the UK’s waste wood-powered biomass fleet, which provides a vital outlet for lower

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quality waste wood, was at risk due to uncertainty over long-term support for the sector post ROCs/RHI. He therefore emphasised the importance of the sector being supported in future biomass policy. Commenting on the visit, Dr Whitehead said: “Delivering a clean power system by 2030 will be a core mission of the new Labour government if we are privileged enough to win the election. This will mean lower bills, energy security, and jobs and investment across the country. “I was delighted to visit another sustainable local business and to hear more about the role that waste wood could play in generating renewable energy.” Richard Coulson said: “It was a pleasure to meet Alan and talk to him about our sector. He was particularly interested to hear about the proportion of biomass energy produced from waste wood and how our sector can be best supported by future government policy.” “At what is a critical time for our industry he was very receptive to our messages and how we are making the best use of our domestic waste resource to contribute to wider environmental goals.” “We would like to thank Alan for taking the time to meet with us.”

Peter Hardy, Business Development Director for Eco Sustainable Solutions led the site tour and said: “At Eco we are committed to finding ever more sustainable solutions for waste so we were very pleased to show Alan around our wood processing operation and our wider Eco Park. “He was very impressed with our facility when he visited a few years ago so it was great to show him how we have grown and to share our plans for the future.”

About Eco’s waste wood operation At the Eco Park, Eco Sustainable Solutions processes waste wood from household waste recycling centres and businesses across Dorset. The wood is shredded according to the specifications required into a sustainable BioFuel, with some used on site in Eco’s own Biomass CHP to power the Eco Park.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To learn more about WRA, please visit: www.woodrecyclers.org NOVEMBER 23

NEWS

RAPID GROWTH IN RENEWABLES CALLS FOR GREATER COOPERATION AMONG MEMBER STATES TO DOUBLE FLEXIBILITY IN THE EU POWER SYSTEM

U Member States need to massively ramp up their renewable power capacity in the coming years. This increase in renewables from variable sources, such as wind and solar, will also increase the need for ‘flexibility’ in the EU electricity system. A joint report released today by two EU agencies, EEA and ACER, demonstrates how Member States could exploit collaboration synergies to unlock flexibility and enhance energy security while contributing to long-term climate neutrality. Key levers include better cross-border planning and forecasting, enhanced use of interconnectors as well as financial incentives and reliable information for electricity consumers to adapt demand when needed. With the EU 2030 renewables target of 42.5% (compared with 22% in 2021), this decade will see an accelerated decarbonisation of EU electricity supply. A joint report by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the EU Agency for the Cooperation of Energy Regulators (ACER) underlines the need to double the ‘flexibility’ of Europe’s power system to keep pace with the growth in renewables from variable sources, such as wind and solar. Flexibility is the power system’s ability to adjust to the fluctuating generation and consumption of energy. Flexibility can be provided in different timeframes, such as days, weeks or seasons and by different technologies. Currently, peak generation gas plants provide much of the flexibility but with the clean energy transition, other types of flexibility resources are needed from both the demand and supply side. Meeting the flexibility challenge facilitates deployment of renewables and brings benefits to European Member States and consumers. The report underlines that: Flexibility in the EU power system needs to almost double by 2030 to keep up with the growth of variable renewable electricity sources. Enhanced electricity interconnection is key. More grids should be built across borders and the existing grid capacity used better. Interconnectors facilitate the efficient flow of electricity across borders to where it is most needed. Existing and planned interconnectors facilitate flexibility to be shared across border and in 2030 could reduce the need for power supply by an amount equivalent to the electricity consumption (in 2022) of Sweden. A combination of demand response and energy savings not only reduces energy bills but also provides much needed flexibility, thus facilitating renewables and supporting Europe’s security of energy supply. In 2030, better demand response and energy savings could reduce the need for power supply from sources other than wind and solar by an amount equivalent to the 2022 electricity consumption of Spain. Allowing price signals to drive investments and consumer behaviour is key. Consumers also need reliable information to make well-informed choices. The EEA-ACER report calls for Member States to better assess and have complementary national and EU-wide assessments of flexibility needs (as currently being discussed by Europe’s co-legislators in the electricity market design reforms).

EU power system flexibility needs to double to keep pace with renewables, say two EU Agencies

EU renewables target:

Renewables help: • meet the EU climate targets; • secure energy supply.

42.5%

by 2030

But with rapid ramp up in solar and wind, which are variable, much more ‘flexibility’ is needed.

Currently at 22% in 2021

GENERATION

Flexibility is the EU power system’s ability to adjust to the fluctuating generation and consumption of energy.

CONSUMPTION

Flexibility in the EU power system

needs to double

by 2030 to keep pace with renewables. Clean flexibility resources are needed, such as demand response, batteries, hydropower ...

Further enhancing interconnections is key

to enable flexibility across borders. In 2030, interconnectors could avoid switching off (to balance the system) as much renewables as the current electricity consumption of Sweden.

SWEDEN

Power grid operators must:

• coordinate planning and operation to support both EU climate and security of supply goals; • maximise grid capacity available for cross-border trade with neighbours.

Demand response & savings are essential this decade: 5% peak shaving & 10% demand savings could in 2030: • cut flexibility needs equivalent to Austria's current power consumption; • cut backup supply needs for solar & wind power equivalent to Spain's current power consumption. POWER BILL

Let’s enable consumers to reduce energy bills & support climate goals.

Give consumers:

• price signals to adapt their consumption; • reliable information, to make informed decisions.

ACER & EEA call for Member States to:

NECPs

• develop national and EU-wide assessments of flexibility needs; • foster common flexibility initiatives starting from their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs) and projections.

To foster common policies across borders, Member States could introduce regional cooperation on flexibility into their National Energy and Climate Plans (NECPs), and include detailed energy data in their greenhouse gas emission projections. The EEA-ACER report “Flexibility solutions to support a decarbonised and secure EU electricity system” is presented by the EU agencies at the meeting on the 20th October of Member Statess’ Energy Director Generals in Madrid, under the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU. NOVEMBER 23

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NEWS

ARE YOU AT4 READY? USE BIOTECHNOLOGY TO GET AHEAD OF THE POLICYMAKERS

n the race to meet the UK’s pledge of net zero by 2050, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs launched a consultation on achieving the ‘near elimination’ of biodegradable waste disposal in landfill from 2028. It’s a likely precursor to the introduction of AT4 testing in England and a welcome catalyst for greater use of innovative waste treatments. Defra’s consultation seeks to address the 4.9 million tonnes of biodegradable municipal waste that went to landfill in England in 2020, despite the introduction of the Landfill Tax, and explore the benefits of introducing AT4 testing. AT4 testing measures biodegradable waste’s stability and ensures that only stable waste that can’t break down further or release GHGs, odour and leachate goes to landfill. Scotland and the Republic of Ireland have already committed to these biodegradable landfill reduction measures, and it seems likely that England will, too. Lee Knott, Chief Commercial Officer from Advetec, a biotechnology business that stabilises unrecyclable waste by making it AT4 compliant, commented: “The waste community is no stranger to regulatory change or consultations like this from Defra. The opportunity lies in quickly taking notice of this potential change so that waste handlers can get ahead of policymakers and reap the available financial, reputational and carbon rewards immediately.”

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Lee Knott

How can the waste management sector prepare? Biotechnology is one solution that delivers the stability that AT4 testing requires and a host of operational and financial benefits. It uses blends of bacteria or bio-stimulants to accelerate the aerobic digestion of Mixed Residual Waste (MRW). The process breaks down the organic component, making the waste stable and suitable for landfill. Lee said: “Removing the organic component of MRW in this way is proven to meet Ireland’s AT4 limit of 7mgO2/ds and the incoming Scottish AT4 limit for MSW waste destined for landfill. This is positive news for English waste handlers, highlighting the proven solutions already available to help.”

“Waste handlers that embrace innovation will stand out as the environmental landscape evolves. Crucially, they’ll help their customers do the same. As sustainability pressures continue to mount, the sector must play a significant role in achieving carbon neutrality and reducing the reliance on landfill. Those with the proper knowledge, tools, partners and technologies will be best prepared for the job.”

When EfW plants join the Emissions Trading Scheme in 2028, gate fees will increase, so waste handlers must find viable alternatives to traditional disposal methods. Stabilising waste will keep landfill as an option, but it also opens up the potential of turning waste into a valuable commodity. Lee added: “Stabilisation of waste is just one benefit of our biotechnology. The floc created by the process is optimally suited for use as a high-quality Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF), which can help decarbonise energy-intensive industries, such as cement production – giving significant commercial value to waste once deemed worthless.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To learn more about ADVATEC, please visit: www.advatec.com/uk

NOVEMBER 23

Turn unrecyclable waste into Solid Recovered Fuel

Talk to us about our SRF offtake network Carole Ricketts

Stephen Green

England

Scotland

+44 (0)7548 760431

+44 (0)7548 761200

+44 (0)1225 777484 I info@advetec.com advetec.com

Local waste solution, real world impact

NEWS

ELECTRIC CONSTRUCTION TAKES ROOT IN TOURISM

disused clay mine in what was once a barren landscape in the heart of south-west UK may be an unlikely base for one of the world’s largest indoor rainforests... and equally unusual, for now, is the use of electric construction machines to maintain it.

– collaboration is needed. And there is no better platform to accelerate change in the landscaping sector than by showcasing sustainable action in a globally renowned site like Eden, one that has played host to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth 11G, 7 world leaders and the Olympic torch.

Home to stunning covered Biomes that replicate the natural worlds of tropical rainforests and the Mediterranean, the Eden Project in Cornwall, UK is a testament to what can be achieved by working with nature and not against it. So it made an ideal location to show the power of electric construction solutions in eradicating emissions across landscaping applications.

Sowing the seeds for electric tourism

A three-month project with Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE), which saw the zero-emission ECR25 Electric compact excavator and the L25 Electric compact wheel loader work across a variety of applications inside the famous Biomes and a new nursery, has seen the project save three tons of CO2 and proved the potential for electromobility to transform the sector. When it comes to influencing societal change – and in this case a move towards widespread industrial decarbonization 20

Future Waste

Not only is the site at the forefront of environmental care, but it brings its message of positive transformation to over 600,000 visitors a year, of all ages and from around the world. It engages everyone from tourists to school and university students in this important topic, and even offers the opportunity to study for a degree in a range of sustainability and horticultural subjects. As such, sustainability is embedded in everything the Eden Project does, having committed to be a climate positive organization by 2030 as part of the Race to Zero, through its partners Planet Mark. Volvo CE has its own ambitions to reach net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, a decade earlier than other industry players and a goal that has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative.

Mats Bredborg, Head of Customer Cluster Utility, says: “Collaborating with other like-minded organizations like the Eden Project is an essential part of accelerating the transition to electric equipment. We have zero-emission solutions that are reducing our industry’s carbon footprint across sectors - and we need partners on this journey to put these solutions into action. With its commitment to working with nature in diverse ways, including reducing energy use, making soil from recycled waste, buying locally, driving electric vehicles and supporting responsible global trade, Eden is a natural choice for landscaping.” NOVEMBER 23

NEWS Two electric machines from Volvo CE proved versatile, together with a variety of attachments, in helping construct a 10,000 sq meter garden nursery with outdoor landscaping and carrying out repair, maintenance and material handling tasks across the site and inside the new nursery and biomes. Delivering the same performance as their diesel equivalents, the ECR25 Electric and L25 Electric together achieved a total CO2 saving of three tons over the threemonth period, saving nearly 2,000 kWh of energy. In addition, operators were impressed with the machines’ ability to work smoothly and respond quickly in a highly sensitive environment, protecting both the delicate plant life and of course the wellbeing of the public, with no diesel fumes and near silence.

Maintaining the balance of nature David Gorman, Living Landscapes Educator at Eden Project, said: “Having no emissions and a lack of noise has meant being able to work while having the public in. Working in a closed environment like the rainforest, it’s so important to protect the ecosystem

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and to make sure we haven’t got any emissions. And with a little bit of preplanning, we could efficiently use these machines throughout the day.” The machines were used for the morning period, requiring a quick power up using the fast-charger over a one-hour break, and were then ready to work again in the afternoon. The Eden Project has ready availability of single and threephase power outlets across its entire site, making it easier to power not only the two electric machines, but also a number of battery electric gardening tools that landscapers use in tending the gardens. There is also electric vehicle transport provided by Volvo Cars for employees across the roughly 30-acre site. The project this Spring has been instrumental in proving the power of electromobility to transform sectors as diverse as landscaping - reducing emissions while maintaining the high productivity and performance required. While demonstrating a smooth and reliable charging process and these proven cost benefits, Volvo CE will continue to lead the way with its trusted and evolving range of electric and charging solutions.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To learn more please visit: www.volvoce.com For frequent updates, follow us on Twitter: @VolvoCEGlobal Linkedln: @Volvo Construction Equipment Facebook: @VolvoCEGlobal lnstagram: @VolvoCE YouTube: @Volvo Construction Equipment

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NEWS

TOMRA HELPS BENFLEET SCRAP CO. LTD ACHIEVE 99% CLEAN ALUMINIUM SCRAP AT NEW £2 MILLION METAL RECYCLING PLANT

ssex-based scrap metal recycling specialists, Benfleet Scrap Co. Ltd, has invested in the latest advanced metals sorting equipment from TOMRA Recycling Sorting for its new metals recycling plant in Benfleet, one of three sites owned by the ferrous and non-ferrous metal merchant. The family-run company was established in 1995, however the Leeman family have been active in the metal industry for four generations. Operations at the new £2 million Benfleet plant began in early 2023. The plant currently processes aluminium profile and taint tabor scrap at high throughputs without affecting product quality. The new X-TRACT™ unit, TOMRA’s most advanced x-ray metals sorting unit, delivers powerful precision x-ray sorting of aluminium from heavy metals. The high throughput sorting solution harnesses the power of dual energy x-ray transmission (XRT) to detect and separate objects based on their atomic density. The X-TRACT is designed with a high powered top mounted x-ray source and DUOLINE™ sensor which is able to process multiple applications and particle size down to 5mm. The design allows more accuracy

Future Waste

and better sorting performance. Investing in the new X-TRACT unit has enabled Benfleet to achieve 99% pure aluminium scrap for resale to primary smelters who are increasingly demanding the highest purity grade of aluminum product for their remelting process as any heavy metal content affects the melt specifications. Benfleet is aiming to increase plant throughput even more during Q4 when the project will be completed, and a purpose-built building will be installed to house the X-TRACT unit. Leo Leeman, Director at Benfleet Scrap Co. Ltd, comments: “We looked at some of the alternative technologies available on the market before choosing to partner with TOMRA and also spoke to our industry contacts, all of whom spoke very highly of the technology and, importantly, the team of experts at TOMRA. TOMRA’s machines are very reliable and robust, and the extended warranty they offer gives us an extra layer of assurance. “We’re noticing a surge in demand for cleaner scrap metal fractions so when designing our new plant we knew we wanted to take advantage of the latest automated sorting solutions to maximise yield and purity.

The plant has only been up and running for a matter of months, but we’re already a lot of interest in the recovered material, particularly when we tell customers that we’re using sorting equipment from TOMRA as their products are known to be the best in the industry. The new X-TRACT is enabling us to capture 99% pure aluminium so it’s giving us a commercial advantage to sell high grade material for use in the production of new aluminium products.” Terence Keyworth, Segment Manager Metal Recycling North/East Europe, adds: “The Leeman family has been a powerhouse in the metals recycling sector for four generations and this is because they are continually evolving and looking for innovative ways to adapt to the everchanging needs of the market. We are delighted with the results being achieved using our technology at the Benfleet plant and look forward to supporting the business as it grows.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To learn more about TOMRA, please visit: www.tomra.com NOVEMBER 23

NEWS

LARAC APPLAUDS GOVERNMENT RESPONSE TO ‘SIMPLER RECYCLING’ REFORMS, BUT EXPRESSES CONCERNS ON FREQUENCY LIMITS AND COST IMPLICATIONS

he Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC) and its members are exhaling a collective sigh of relief as they welcome the much-anticipated response to ‘Simpler Recycling’, formerly known as ‘Consistent Collections’, reforms in England. Since the groundbreaking publication of the Resource and Waste Strategy in 2018, LARAC has been a tireless advocate for the right of local authorities in England to tailor waste management solutions to their unique circumstances. With representation from 78% of all types of local authority in the UK (308 members and over 1000 council officers) LARAC is keenly attuned to the diverse needs of its members, who face varying challenges, including rurality, urban density, levels of deprivation, and available infrastructure for materials processing. As LARAC has repeatedly emphasised, there’s no onesize-fits-all solution in waste management. LARAC welcomes the decision to retain optional subscriptions for garden waste collections, allowing local authorities the flexibility to continue offering this vital service to residents. NOVEMBER 23

Cathy Cook, Chair of LARAC, said, “We applaud most of the announcements in the consistency response. Notably, our members now have the freedom to choose how they collect dry mixed recycling and the option to charge for garden waste. Introducing flexible plastic collections in 2027 and weekly food waste collections in 2026 is also a welcome step. However, we remain concerned about potential bottlenecks and price hikes resulting from concurrent procurement by local authorities. We find the proposal to restrict residual waste collections to at least fortnightly disappointing. Collection Blueprints in Wales and Scotland have shown how limiting residual collections while providing weekly food waste collections is instrumental in encouraging recycling and minimising non-recyclable waste. Feedback from our members underscores that, on average, 40% of household rubbish is food waste. Weekly and fortnightly refuse collections do not incentivise food waste recycling. Therefore, we challenge the government’s assertion that weekly food waste collections alone will significantly reduce landfill waste.”

LARAC is also concerned about the potential financial burden on local authorities. The government’s intention to waive the new burdens doctrine in respect of any guidance on fortnightly minimum residual waste collection is disconcerting. At least thirteen local authorities in England have transitioned to three-weekly collections. If these local authorities are required to re-introduce fortnightly collections, this would be costly, timeconsuming, and likely to increase the tonnage of residual waste collected thus reducing the recycling rate. Despite these concerns, LARAC is encouraged by this positive step forward for the entire sector. We stand ready to assist our members in implementing these policies and navigating the forthcoming guidance.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION For further information please contact Toni McNamara, Policy and Communications Lead LARAC, toni.mcnamara@larac.org.uk Future Waste

NEWS

RECOUP PLASTICS RESOURCE & RECYCLING CONFERENCE – ANOTHER SUCCESSFUL YEAR!

lastics resource efficiency and recycling charity, RECOUP, again proves its position as the number one conference in the sector with another outstanding day of debate and presentations focused on the theme of sustainability and rising importance of the circular economy. Sponsored by, Berry bpi, Tomra, Schoeller Allibert Services, Plastics Europe, Beyondly, BPF, IOM3 and Circular&co. The event was held at KingsGate Conference Centre in Peterborough for the 10th year running with around 400 people from across various educational institutions, waste and recycling companies, packaging producers, environmental consultants, and government bodies in attendance. This year RECOUP tried to avoid single use plastic where possible, putting Circular & Co’s returnable cup scheme in place as a much more ecofriendly solution to single use cups. The system was very well received on the day, with lots of positive comments being made. Tom Heap, of ‘Costing the Earth’ and BBC’s ‘Countryfile’ directed the days debates, igniting dialogues about the right material, right place, and the right approach in plastics recycling, as well as exploring innovations in the industry.

Future Waste

The panel debated how the whole value chain should work together to make the process more efficient with Dr Geoff Mackay, UK Country Head, Plastics Europe, raising the point that “we only have one world. We need to think about the materials we use and how we use them.” Yet the abundance of constantly changing legislation, company strategy, environmental impact, and consumer views that we all have to navigate makes this task a lot more complicated than it perhaps needs to be. As commented by Tim Duret, Director of Sustainable Technology, Veolia, “There has been so much time spent on the how, and we still don’t have the what.” Items such as vapes and coffee pods were discussed by the panel as an example for such an issue, with the general consensus being that we should all work together to ensure that before products are placed on the market, a stream is in place for consumers to correctly recycle those products when they come to the end of their life. The panel also debated how environmentally educated we are, referring to how conscious we are when buying goods. We can see that the public is undoubtedly much more conscious of environmental issues and in favour of change. However, Robert

Thompson, Packaging Manager, The Coop, commented that “a family with little money and 5 kids to feed are less likely to be environmentally conscious,” reiterating the need to make reuse, recovery and recycling easy and accessible. For another year running attention then turned to the lack of consistency in kerbside plastics collections and communications as well as UK recycling capacity, calling for a more simple process that the public and the whole value chain will be engaged with and participate in. Ultimately, the use of plastics needs to be done in the right way, with appropriate end of life solutions in place before a product is available on the market.

Next years’ conference is on Thursday 26th September 2024 FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To learn more about RECOUP, please visit: www.recoup.org NOVEMBER 23

NEWS

RECOUP ANNOUNCES 2023 AWARDS WINNERS

ollowing the success of the inaugural RECOUP awards in 2022, the awards returned bigger and better this year as part of the Pre-Conference Networking Dinner the evening before the highly anticipated RECOUP Plastics Resource and Recycling Conference. Yet again the awards generated a lot of interest from across the plastics resources and recycling value chain with strong entries received for all categories. Presented by Tom Heap, and RECOUP Chairman, Jim Armstrong, the first winner announced was for the ‘Best Development or Innovation to enhance plastic products for recyclability or re-use’ award which was presented to Apetito & Wiltshire Farm Foods Ltd for their ‘boomerang’ initiative. Apetito have created a sustainable closed-loop recycling system for ready meal trays. Working with Wiltshire Farm Foods, plastic trays are collected from customers each week, leaving them with nothing but the film lid. 100% of the trays collected will then be made into brand new trays, all here in the UK. The winner of the second award for ‘Recycled Plastic Product of the Year’ was presented to SEAQUAL INITIATIVE for their high quality 100% post-consumer recycled polyester yarn, SEAQUAL® YARN. Useful for a multitude of applications SEAQUAL®

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YARN is a sustainable fabric containing approximately 10% SEAQUAL® MARINE PLASTIC (from plastic marine litter), with the remaining 90% being post-consumer PET from land sources. The third winner announced was for the ‘Best Innovation in Equipment or Technology to Improve the Collection, Sorting, Reprocessing or Re-use of Plastics’ award which was presented to Greyparrot for their AI Waste Recognition System. Greyparrots’ AI Waste Recognition System uses cutting edge AI-based Computer Vision to automate waste composition analysis at scale, providing insights that inform our decision-making on how to optimise our processes helping to increase recycling rates, reduce the cost of manual sampling, enhance product quality, and empower next generation smart systems. The Chairman’s award, presented by Tom Heap and RECOUP Chairman, Jim Armstrong, was awarded to recognise individuals outside of RECOUP and the Board who have enabled the organisation to fulfil its aims of driving forward plastics recycling and resource management through dedicating their time, knowledge and support. This year two individuals were chosen to be recognised by this award. The first Chairman’s award was presented to Hannah Clifford, Strategic Development Manager, Biffa. Anne Hitch,

Business and Project Development Lead, RECOUP, commented “Hannah was nominated for the award as throughout the last year she aided RECOUP in the drive to move up plastics recycling, aiding the team to bring partners together on a range of projects from citizen communications in the region to MRF trials as well as facilitating team visits. Nothing has been too much trouble.” Nominated by the Packaging team at RECOUP, the second Chairman’s award went to Jonathan Attwood, Head of Technical, Bright Green. The Packaging team commented “For the past year, Jonathan has provided the RECOUP packaging team with invaluable support. His knowledge and advice have been a great help to the team particularly with some of the more challenging questions. Jonathan is always willing to help no matter how big or small the request. From site visits and regular communications, the guidance he provides has helped the team expand their knowledge and respond to members. We thank Jonathan for his support and expertise and hope to continue working with him.” Congratulations to the award winners and thank you to the judges and all the entries for this year’s awards. Don’t miss out on submitting an entry next year, the application process will be announced in due course.

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NEWS

ALL SCHOOLS, NURSERIES AND COLLEGES IN ENGLAND ARE INVITED TO JOIN THE NATIONAL EDUCATION NATURE PARK – DEVELOPING YOUNG PEOPLE’S GREEN SKILLS AND ENHANCING BIODIVERSITY ACROSS THE COUNTRY

ll schools, nurseries and colleges in England can join the National Education Nature Park, a new programme designed to empower young people to make a positive difference to both their own and nature’s future. The programme is being delivered by the Natural History Museum with the Royal Horticultural Society and other partners, working alongside Esri UK. Responding to the urgency of the planetary emergency, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to transform the way we teach climate education and support young people to act and increase biodiversity across England. This new initiative gives children and young people the opportunity to connect to nature while investigating and recording what’s living and growing on their learning sites. They will plan and take action to boost biodiversity, through improvements such as building rain gardens, growing pollinator-friendly plants, installing bird boxes and more. Places of education taking part in the programme will become part of a vast network of spaces across England that together form the National Education Nature Park. The land from schools in England forms an area the equivalent to roughly twice the size of Birmingham, so alongside nurseries and colleges that represents huge potential to collectively contribute to nature recovery across the country. After a successful pilot phase, teachers and education staff across England are now being invited to register their

education setting for the National Education Nature Park on a brandnew website. Once registered they can access the programme – which includes making sure their school, nursery or college is on the Nature Park map, activities to get started and a growing library of free newly-developed and collated climate education resources, qualityassured by the Royal Meteorological Society. To celebrate the roll out, schools, nurseries and colleges across the country are being encouraged to take part in a ‘Hidden Nature Challenge’ today to get started and a taste of what the National Education Nature Park is all about. They’ll see green skills in action and the positive impact they can have by working together. They’ll go outside and follow prompts to discover the hidden nature on their learning sites in a quick activity that will help reveal the nature that’s all around, but that might not always be seen. They’ll upload findings to an online map, where they’ll be able to see hidden nature being revealed in places of education across the country on this day. “Together with our partners, we are creating opportunities for every child and young person in England to use practical science and make actionable changes in their learning environments, to have a positive impact on biodiversity on a national scale,” says Dr Doug Gurr, Director of the Natural History Museum. “I’m looking forward to seeing what difference it will make to nature across the country and to the programme helping to

create a new generation of advocates for the planet.” The programme is designed to develop an understanding of biodiversity and knowledge of climate change, and all learners will be able to recognise their role in the programme and how they can contribute no matter what their interests or future aspirations. The planetary emergency requires understanding and action from all, so whether learners are aspiring scientists or writers, campaigners or artists, the programme will develop the knowledge, agency and nature connectedness needed for children, young people and nature to thrive. Clare Matterson, Director General of the Royal Horticultural Society, said: “With the world facing multiple crises, from the climate emergency to biodiversity loss, gardening can be integral to addressing them. Through gardening and development of practical and digital skills, we want to empower children and young people to make their nurseries, schools and colleges better places for people, wildlife and the planet. Saving the world starts at our fingertips.” Eminent economist Professor Sir Partha Dasgupta, whose 2021 review provided recommendations for changes in education to protect the natural world, says “Rooting Nature into our education system is a vital part of tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. The National Education Nature Park programme aims to do exactly that, by embedding Nature across subject areas and giving the next generation the opportunities to connect to Nature, along with the knowledge and skills needed to help both themselves and Nature to thrive.” The accompanying Climate Action Awards, being developed by the Royal Society, will roll out in January 2024. They will recognise schools and colleges that have brought about change at an institutional level, supporting their students in developing green skills, championing nature and working towards a sustainable future.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION Schools, colleges and nurseries can join the National Education Nature Park here: www.educationnaturepark.org.uk 26

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SHOW REVIEW • RWM EXPO 2023

RWM EXPO 2023 INNOVATION AT ITS FINEST

RWM Expo 2023 wowed at the Birmingham NEC in spectacular style, with one very special focus for all of its exhibitors and attendees: Innovation.

Future Waste

SEPTEMBER 23

SHOW REVIEW • RWM EXPO 2023

It’s hard to believe that a year has passed since the last expo. But, 365 days it has been, and with it came Future Waste’s first birthday. Exactly one year ago, we were proud to launch Future Waste to the eager RWM crowd alongside our sister magazine, Plant Planet. This time, we were equally proud to exhibit on our own; ready and raring to demonstrate how far we’ve come, and what we have taken and applied since the last RWM.

This year, the air was rife with anticipation for what the show had in store, with companies from all over the world united under the banner of sustainability and improvement. And, if the RWM expo taught us anything this year, it’s that the world is set for change! Walking through the exhibits there was a clear focus in everyone’s minds: What has humanity done to the world? And what can we now do to fix it?

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Future Waste

SHOW REVIEW • RWM EXPO 2023 Let us take you on a tour of the leading event for waste and recycling professionals.

Interior Insights

One thing that RWM certainly knows how to do is to create the perfect visitor experience. Colour-coded areas and clear signage made traversing this huge convention exceptionally simple, boosted further by a handy, and very user-friendly app. Perfectly demonstrating their own push for a greener outlook, the guidebook this year came in digital form. Not only were exhibitors and visitors able to find seminar lists and the all-important site map, but going one step further, the ESS app was also a messaging platform, giving everybody there the perfect way to connect and meet up. This was made especially easy by the networking hubs that were dotted around the expo; quiet havens away from the hubbub where people could sit and discuss their plans over a well-deserved coffee. Amongst all the incredible entertainment, including a DJ, live violinist and even some rogue Wombles, RWM was a veritable treasure trove of companies all eager to show just how crucial they were to the resource management sector. From business support giants, Ekman Group, to Certora Training Services, every area of the recycling world was covered. We were delighted to catch-up with a large variety of business, including Amicus Insurance, the specialist Commercial Insurance Broker, whose fresh approach has earned them a place in the Insurance Age Top 100 Status. Future Waste also sat down with Hannah from RECOUP, who at the time was looking forward to the 2023 RECOUP awards event, which was a resounding success just as in the previous year. CIWM dazzled as only they can, their stand a beacon to everyone in the very heart of the RWM showground. Smiling faces greeted every visitor, welcoming people into the educational fold and proving once again why they are such an important figure and leading voice in the waste management industry. Everyone collectively came together to promote the same, key ideal: how can we make the world of waste the best it could possibly be? Whether it was increasing efficiency, profit or sustainability, all exhibitors understood the assignment and put their best foot forward to delivering the all-important message: we can and will change for the better.

RWM was a veritable treasure trove of companies all eager to show just how crucial they were to the resource management sector. 30

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NOVEMBER 23

SHOW REVIEW • RWM EXPO 2023

Outdoor Exploits

Outside was just as much a party as inside, with the demo zone pulling people left, right and centre. Machines and attachments of every variety were exhibited along the amazing run of notoriety, with names such as Liebherr, JCB and Engcon showcasing their impressive products to the world of waste resource management. SMT were proudly demonstrating Volvo’s impressive excavators and just how efficiently they ran in the live demo zone, teaming up with several attachment manufacturers to show the breadth of their capability. Whatever the weather, Volvo proved that they could and would get the job done.

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Also bridging the industry gap between waste and construction were companies such as Blue Group, a leading supplier of material processing and handling equipment. Marketing Manager, Jacob Thrasher, showed us their impressive portfolio of leading OEM brands, illustrating how their technologies can provide a competitive edge to multiple businesses. And it wasn’t just machinery in all its forms on display. Fireward’s Marketing Manager, Paul Smith, was keen to tell us about their fire suppression systems to aid protection of heavy-duty assets. Whatever the reason for visiting, the live demo zone and its displays had much to offer.

Future Waste

SHOW REVIEW • RWM EXPO 2023

A Time to Listen

Both days were jampacked with seminars of every variety, from ‘Writing A Municipal Resource and Waste Strategy’ to ‘Women in Resource & Sustainability.’ All had their part to play in the rich world of our planet’s future, most notably two that took place in the revered Keynote Theatre. Simon Mundy, Editor of the Financial Times, kicked off the seminar schedule with his talk ‘Race for Tomorrow.’ Introducing key features of his new book of the same name, Simon held the crowd captive with stories and photos of his journey through 26 countries and six continents. His aim was simple; to demonstrate that the climate crisis has a direct effect on the world of business, and that the companies present at the convention needed to take note of their role in the future of our world. Simon said it best himself: “It’s not an obviously sexy part of the sector, but definitely one of the most important.” The keynote speaker of the day was James Honeyborne, Creator and Executive Producer of Blue Planet 2, who described himself as “a scientist by training and a storyteller by heart.” James detailed how the ‘Blue Planet 2 Effect’ swept the nation after the show debuted in 2017, and how despite only taking approximately 15 minutes of screen time, it was the waste littering the sea and its shorelines that really struck the hearts of the public. People went out in droves to free the beaches of waste, demonstrating “the warmth of human nature.” Sadly, this faith in humanity somewhat dwindled after covid. 32

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Waste of an entirely different kind stole the ocean bed, rendering PPE now the scourge of the sea. James implored the audience to understand what the companies there present could do to stop pollution in its many forms, especially during the concluding Q&A. Q: What can the media do to help? A: Keep talking about it in as many ways as possible. Don’t bang a drum and be boring. The challenge for creators is keeping it interesting and in the front of people’s minds. Q: How can we actually make the Blue Planet 2 effect actually be taken on board? A: We didn’t do enough on plastic waste, but it had the biggest affect because it was tangible. We can see it. We’re on a journey to make more, do more. As David Attenborough himself says, “saving the planet is a communications challenge, not a scientific one.” Hope fuels action, and that terrific sentiment certainly captured the crowd when raucous applause heralded the seminar’s end. NOVEMBER 23

SHOW REVIEW • RWM EXPO 2023

Names of panel:

Women in Waste

Another crucial talk was the Women in Resource & Sustainability seminar hosted in the Environment Network Hub. Coffee and breakfast pastries welcomed the crowds, the atmosphere warm and inviting. Vicki Hughs headed the panel, kicking off the talk by looking back on her life and all that she achieved. Her happy, positive mindset was catching, with smiles lighting up the faces watching her as she implored us all to keep pushing forward, believe in ourselves and take that all important ‘leap of faith’. It was truly incredible to hear about their journeys through a very male-dominated environment at

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a time when recycling was, as panellist Debbie Nesbitt put it, “new and not well formed,” as well as how other women have boosted them and supported them through the process. None of their journeys started in waste. Not all of them were even science based. They all seemed to stumble into it accidentally, which seems to be a common theme in waste management across the board. Yet their interest was captured by the difference they could make in the world, and from there, their passion grew and grew. Each and every one of these wonderful women championed the need for all to have a voice, no matter their age, background, ethnicity, or gender.

Future Waste

SHOW REVIEW • RWM EXPO 2023 What was truly eye opening though, was the open Q&A. Q: How do you say no when you need to and stop yourself getting overwhelmed? Dr Wendy Fail: You want to be a people pleaser but as time goes on you learn to find work life balance. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Carla Brian: If covid taught us anything it’s flexibility. Covid helped slow down our lives and make us realise what was important. Debbie Nesbitt: I’m only just starting to learn to say ‘no’ and find the courage to say ‘no’. I need to say it more. Q: Have you come across sexism? Vicki: Yes. Absolutely. But it’s not just women. When I started off, there were no women in business. I was the first women to sit at the Board table who wasn’t making tea and taking notes. I thought the other Board members just needed to get over it. I’m good at what I did, you need to respect me. And if you don’t now, you’ll catch up. Carla: Yes. But I will say I can’t remember the last time in the last decade when it happened. We’ve come a long way. Debbie: Yes. You come up with an idea and no one listens; a man says it slightly differently and they listen. It’s frustrating, but things are changing. Q: I have a lot of female colleagues who are very shy and find these sort of things daunting. As a male, is there anything we can do to help women grow their confidence and make the environment more welcoming? Vicki: I’m quite shy but you have to start somewhere. Find your tribe. Not everyone has to stand up and talk to everyone. Sometimes it’s just about finding the other shy people in the room. Listen to them too. Listen to what they need.

Q: Are you disappointed that there’s not more men to listen? Vicki: Yes, it’s disappointing. But putting ‘women’ in the title seems to put people off. We talked about the menopause last year and if there had been men here to listen, they might understand us more. Wendy: I went to a talk about fleet and I was one of only two women. Perhaps it works two ways, perhaps the title only attracts women. But we need to go to everything in order to learn. Debbie: Women need support, as it’s been a very male-dominated environment. Q: How did you deal with maternity leave, and did it set you back? Carla: Great question. With my eldest I certainly felt that, and I rushed back to work, and I regret losing that time with him. With my daughter, less so. I was more confident and took that time to be with her. I was comfortable with myself, and my job and I think we’ve come a long way. Maternity pay has come on a long way. We are supported in a way we weren’t when we began. Debbie: I have 3 kids and people took over my projects. When I was back it made no sense to hand the projects back, so I did feel like it held me back, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. Vicki: You feel lost when you come back but everybody feels that. You have one hour when you’re relaxed and then you panic being away from your child. But it’s about talking to your employer about your concerns and being open to change. You’re a different person than when you started. Inspirational doesn’t even begin to cover the speakers and their message. RWM did a fantastic thing by showcasing their triumphs and their struggles and letting us share in the euphoria of a world set for change in the best possible way.

And The Winners Are…

Facing the future comes in many forms, and RWM continually demonstrated its commitment to change with its Future Talent Hub.

Future Waste

NOVEMBER 23

SHOW REVIEW • RWM EXPO 2023

It played host to two pivotal award ceremonies, both organised by letsreycle.com and hosted by their Editor, Joshua Doherty, whose cheery disposition welcomed the crowd. The first was the ever popular 35-under-35 awards which were sponsored by Grundon, whose Chairman, Neil Grundon, was onboard to hand out the certificates to the successful, bright faced recipients. The award champions the youngsters of the waste and resource management sector, looking at the pioneering work they have achieved in their relatively young careers. Two of the previous winners, Sioned Thomas of Recorra and Tom Giddings of Alupro, kicked off the event with a discussion panel about their outlook for the future and how they continue to strive for excellence in their field. Out of the 35 winners, three top status holders were chosen, all presented with a bottle of champagne to celebrate their excellent drive in the industry. Mark Garvey from Whitespace Work Software Ltd, Laura Fisher from FCC Environment and Sarah Key from WRAP were the lucky three and were all beaming with pride as they collected their awards amidst the cheering crowd. Closing the expo was the Zero Waste Awards, now in its tenth year! The awards recognise and celebrate organisations that make a conscious effort to reduce the amount of resources they waste. Using a 5 star rating, companies were awarded their stars based on their level of commitment and achievement to Zero Waste. Four incredible companies received five stars at the ceremony: property development company, British Land, who worked in partnership with commercial waste management firm, Recorra; facilities management providers Apleona UK; and property management business, Derwent London, also working in partnership with Recorra. A full list of winners across both ceremonies can be found on the letsrecycle.com website.

Competition Time!

Future Waste was excited to run a competition at our stand this year, where competitors simply had to drop a business card into the bag of wonders for an opportunity to win 6 month’s free advertising in the magazine! We are thrilled to announce the winners are Blazequel, the Fire Protection Specialists! Congratulations! We can’t wait to work with you!

Round-up and Reflect

No matter what brought you to RWM, everyone was enveloped in the heady buzz of hope that encircled the exhibition. The future has never looked brighter, with everyone eager to show how they are a crucial catalyst to our planet’s redemption. As Simon Mundy said in his seminar, “this stuff ain’t easy.” For Future Waste, it was more than a simple exhibition. RWM was where we truly began, where the idea to launch was born and where we made our debut into the big wide world of waste. It was a successful show for so many reasons, but none more prevalent than the community’s support of crucial change. We were back where we belonged; amongst likeminded folk that want to innovate the world and strive for a better future. Together. NOVEMBER 23

Future Waste

kleen oil ad

Remove DIRT & WATER in the same mobile application Affordable and easy to change out replacement cartridges Kind to the planet – as a natural, sustainable product

Don’t waste old oil !

Clean your used or wet Hydraulic oil back to new KLEENOIL can restore oil cleanliness to ‘good as new’, or better ; ISO 18/16/13

Save waste costs, replacement value and labour Simple ‘plug and play’ application Site permanently on a problematic machine or on a rotational cleanse across your fleet

Free on-site trial.. Whether it be to tackle one off contamination issues, or as a permanent fix to heavy use equipment to protect pumps, valves & cylinders etc.. or as a rotational cleanse on off-hire equipment. KLEENOIL offer a completely free trial at your site ; with before and after independent oil analysis.

Future Waste

SEPTEMBER 23

COVER STORY • ELDAN

COMPLETE RECYCLING SOLUTIONS

FROM DENMARK TO THE WORLD

ELDAN Recycling offer customized recycling solutions depending on customers’ requirements. The recycling plants are known for high performance, low assembly costs, and creation of products with high purity. The systems and machines are developed based on ambient mechanical technique for size reduction and separation and require no melting or chemical treatment.

Tyre recycling for softer running tracks and safer playgrounds

ELDAN Recycling are world leaders in tyre recycling equipment. Tyres are among the largest and most problematic sources of waste today due to both volume and durability, making tyre recycling as important as ever. Tyre recycling is the process of downsizing whole tyres of any type for the purpose of reusing the material for other purposes. The materials most sought after in tyre recycling are clean rubber and steel wire. From chip production to granulate, from granulate to powder, etc. with a guaranteed capacity and output purity. ELDAN Recycling offers both standard and customized tyre recycling solutions depending on the requirements for input tyre type, production capacity, and output size/purity. No melting or chemical treatments are required which in turn avoids any potential health or environmental risks when being transformed for a new purpose.

The modular design enables their customers to expand or upgrade their plant as the market changes.

NOVEMBER 23

Future Waste

COVER STORY • ELDAN Tyre rubber granulate has several uses and applications such as sports surfaces, as infill material in artificial turf fields, particularly for sports like soccer, football, and tennis. The granules provide cushioning and stability to the playing surface. Tyre rubber granulate is also used as a safety surface material in playgrounds. It is often mixed with other materials, such as EDPM in rubber tiles, to create a shock-absorbing surface that helps reduce injuries from falls. In some cases, tyre granulate can be used as an additive in asphalt mixtures for road construction. It can improve the durability and performance of the asphalt, as well as provide noise reduction and better drainage.

Downsizing cables and sorting metal

Recycling cables has been a profitable business for decades, since copper and aluminium harnessed from old cables can be recycled again and again. Cable recycling is the process of downsizing cables and sorting metal from insulation for the purpose of recycling. The most sought-after resources are copper and aluminium. ELDAN Recycling provide quality machinery for profitable cable recycling, no matter if the input is dry cables, ACSR cable, harness wire, jelly filled cables, greasy

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underground cables, etc. Since 2016, Redoma Recycling is part of the ELDAN group. Redoma Cable Recycling solutions are cost-efficient cable plants for low and medium capacity needs.

Why is cable recycling to extract copper, aluminium and plastic so valuable?

Copper is extremely difficult to mine and dates back 10,000 years, making it one of civilization’s oldest metals. Copper mining negatively affects the environment surrounding the mining site. Keeping the existing copper in circulation decreases the need for new copper mining, preventing unnecessary and irreversible damage to the environment. The recycling of copper requires less energy than primary production and reduces CO2 emissions, but it can’t be recycled if it hasn’t been mined and made available for use in the first place. Copper is the third most recycled metal, only after iron (the first) and aluminium (the second). The metal is extremely attractive, thus expensive, since it is resistant to corrosion and conducts heat and electricity extremely well, outlasting other conductors. It doesn’t react with water or steam and is unaffected by temperature changes.

NOVEMBER 23

COVER STORY • ELDAN

Electric vehicles – environmentally friendly all the way

By 2022 there were more than 26 million electric cars rolling the streets worldwide, an increase of 60% from 2021. Electric car sales exceeded 10 million vehicles, with 14% of all new car sales being electric, which is a big jump from 9% in 2021 and less than 5% in 2020. Driven by the challenge of phasing out fossil fuels, a task that most leading nations are now taking very seriously and supported by various policy measures and incentives – global sales of electric cars continue to increase rapidly in 2023. 2.3 million electric cars were sold in the first quarter of the year alone. That is 25% more than the same period in 2022. All this according to Virta, a global pioneer in the development of smart charging services for electric vehicles. They expect to see 14 million electric cars sold by the end of 2023 which make up a total of 18% of total car sales. This is why ELDAN Recycling developed a solution for EV-Recycling. Li-Ion battery recycling is necessary to ensure recovery of scarce resources and that substances that are harmful to the environment are collected and disposed of or reused in a safe way. EV battery recycling is the process of downsizing lithium batteries for the purpose of collecting harmful substances and sorting the solid materials for recycling.

Bringing new life to old textiles

Another one of ELDAN Recycling’s important recycling segments is Textile Recycling such as clothing, fabrics, and other textile products. It is an important aspect of sustainable waste management and helps to reduce the environmental impact of the textile industry. This process involves sorting and shredding textile waste to create fibres that can be used to make new textiles or non-woven materials. Recycling textiles reduces the need for raw materials, energy, and water required in the production of new textiles. It also helps to reduce the amount of textile waste sent to landfills, which can take years to decompose and contribute to environmental pollution. Textile recycling faces some challenges since the waste often contains nontextile components like zippers, buttons, and other accessories, which can make the recycling process more complex and costly. With an ELDAN solution however, the metal can be sorted from the textile using a separator in the recycling process. Textile recycling plays a significant role in reducing the environmental impact of the textile industry and promoting a more sustainable approach to fashion and consumption. By recycling textiles, we can extend the lifespan of materials, conserve resources, and minimize waste. NOVEMBER 23

Future Waste

COVER STORY • ELDAN

Eldan Recycling – The enTYRE Story Starting out in 1956 as a family owned business, ELDAN is a company with a long history and proud traditions. Future Waste was lucky enough to sit down with Toni Reftman, ELDAN’s CEO to learn what makes them such an exceptional company. What is ELDAN Recycling all about? Since 1956, we have been working hard to supply the best recycling solutions to our customers. We have a track record of more than 1200 complete systems and 8100 individual machines installed worldwide, and many of our recycling machines are still running more than 25 years after they were first installed. Our product range covers machines as well as standard and customized recycling solutions for tyres, cables, e-waste (WEEE), aluminium scrap, fridges, municipal solid waste (MSW), and more. In collaboration with customers, we have also designed and installed recycling solutions for other materials like windmill wings, car batteries, car-fluff (ASR), pocket mattresses, casino coins, etc. ELDAN is one of few companies supplying equipment to the recycling industry that still primarily produces their machinery in-house. This enables swift and accurate communication which ensures product quality and flexible production. The ELDAN team consist of more than 100 highly trained and experienced colleagues. For us, it is important to keep the experience gained within the company, and we are proud to say that many of our employees have been with us for 20-40 years. Is there a particular piece of machinery in your arsenal that you are especially proud of? Definitely the Super Chopper! The ELDAN Super Choppers are heavy-duty primary shredders designed as a first step in any recycling process. Low speed and high torque make the Super Choppers the ideal primary shredders for processing tough materials. They are powered directly by either planetary gear and frequency converter or a hydraulic motor and power unit, both ensuring automatic reverse for overload protection and minimizing knife damages. Adjustable knife clearance optimizes cutting function, and the knives can be reground multiple times on a “flat-bed” grinder to ensure long life and low operation costs. The unique rotor is manufactured and designed for minimum wear. The Super Choppers are available both as single and double shaft versions depending on the needed capacity and cutting force. For the toughest processes, ELDAN also offer a Super Chopper Heavy-Duty version. 40

Future Waste

NOVEMBER 23

COVER STORY • ELDAN

Here at Future Waste, we are all about helping our readers find the best recycling solutions for their specific needs, particularly in solid waste. What solutions do you offer for municipal solid waste recycling? Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Municipal solid waste is everything generated from normal households, like food wrappings, diapers, carpets, plastics, small metal pieces, stones, food waste, and many other things. It can also be textiles that need to be downsized to remove foreign objects to recycle fibres. Municipal solid waste recycling is the process of downsizing the waste to sort out materials for recycling and/or produce RDF (Residual Derived Fuel), which is a fuel substitute with a homogenous fraction size between 150 and 30 mm and a high calorific value. NOVEMBER 23

ELDAN provide quality machinery for profitable municipal solid waste recycling customized to your needs. The solution will depend on input material and what you need to sort out for recycling. Municipal Solid Waste Recycling Solutions We offer both standard and customized municipal solid waste recycling solutions depending on your requirements. The standard solutions have capacities ranging from 5,000 – 40,000 kg input/production hours and are typically the starting point when customizing solutions for specific input types or sorting out different output fractions. ELDAN’s municipal solid waste recycling plants are known for high performance, low production costs, and RDF production with a high calorific value. The systems and machines are developed based on ambient mechanical technique for size reduction and separation and require no melting or chemical treatment. Future Waste

COVER STORY • ELDAN We hear you have been nominated for two Recircle Awards. Congratulations! Can you tell us a bit more about it? Yes we have, and thank you very much! Our CMO, Nilla Hedlund and our Event Manager, Nina Pagel will travel to Bologna to hopefully, accept one or two awards at the Recircle Awards Ceremony at Futurmotive Expo & Talks, on November 16th, the winners are announced then and there, so it is very exciting. 1 The Industry Achievement Award Eldan has been nominated for the 2023 Recircle Awards in the Industry Achievement Award in the Tyre Recycling Sector, a new award category announced August 10th this year, which recognises a particularly noteworthy historical achievement in our particular sector. ELDAN has been nominated for developing some of the biggest and most reliable tyre shredding equipment. The winner of this particular award will be decided by our 14-strong nominations committee, and the award will be given to the winner. 2 Best Tyre Recycling Industry Supplier In recognition of the best supplier of goods, technology and equipment to the tyre recycling industry in terms of innovation, product quality and service. As we approach the end of 2023, we can’t help but get excited for the new year ahead. What is ELDAN looking forward to in 2024? “We have more exciting news for 2024. We will push even more for our new recycling solutions for EV-batteries, conveyor belts, solar panels, textiles and wings for wind mills, but also produce a few new case study videos. We will also start working a lot more with newsletters and communication to our leads and customers. We have a lot of exiting events scheduled already such as ISRI in Las Vegas and of course IFAT in May, the biggest biannual event we attend,” says Nilla Hedlund, CMO.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To learn more about ELDAN Recycling, please visit: www.eldan-recycling.com 42

Future Waste

NOVEMBER 23

FEATURE • IT’S NOT THAT EASY BEING GREEN

IT’S NOT THAT EASY BEING GREEN…

Green Waste: A vital part of waste disposal. It seems simple, doesn’t it? The disposal of something biodegradable. By its very definition, green waste is a substance or object capable of being decomposed by bacteria or other living organisms and thereby avoiding pollution. But it’s not a simple case of chucking it in with the rest of the rubbish and it magically going away. Disposing of it can make a fundamental difference to the environment, in both productive and harmful ways, and it is our job to ensure it is done properly. 44

Future Waste

NOVEMBER 23

FEATURE • IT’S NOT THAT EASY BEING GREEN

What is Green Waste?

No matter what you are trying to throw away, it is vital that you know which bin it goes in. Green waste is often termed as ‘organic waste’ or sometimes ‘garden waste’, though the latter can be misleading. Although a large percentage of household green waste is likely to come from your garden, green waste is fundamentally anything biodegradable. However, it can’t all go in that lovely special green bin you order from the council. Now do you see why it’s so confusing?! Well, not to fret. Future Waste is here to help steer you in the right direction. To simplify, biodegradable matter can be divided into ‘fit for the green bin’ and ‘fit for composting.’

Fun Fact!

In 2017, garden waste made up 17.2% of household waste and recycling in the UK. NOVEMBER 23

Future Waste

FEATURE • IT’S NOT THAT EASY BEING GREEN

Green Wheelie Bin

Many councils nationwide now offer the option to add a green wheelie bin to your collection outside your home. Collected kerbside every two weeks for a small fee, this bin is reserved for your garden waste. If your council does not provide this, there are many organisations that will provide the same service, such as The Green Waste Club or Hinton’s Waste. From there, it is taken to a large composting site and turned into compost used for large scale projects, such as agriculture, land reclamation, and even sometimes as an ingredient for shop bought multipurpose composts. Unlike home composting, anything that ends up at these sites is actively managed so the process is sped up, meaning it only takes 8-16 weeks for it to be useable as opposed to the 9-12 months home composting can take. Anything that is not compostable is removed (which can incur a fine from the guilty party if caught) and the viable waste is then spread out to decompose in the open air. In temperatures up to 60°C the material is then regularly turned to provide oxygen to the micro-organisms that aid decomposition. The high temperature kills off any residual plant diseases or harmful microbes that would render it useless. Looking past the scientific jargon and specifically at practicality, a lot of council and other waste service providers still set restrictions on what goes into your giant green plastic friends. For instance, in Newcastle, you can’t put tree stumps or branches greater than 100mm in diameter, fence palings, timber (especially treated), copper logs, or sleepers in green bins. On top of that, there are weight restrictions. When in doubt, check with your service provider on their regulations and restrictions so that you can dispose of all your waste properly. If a green wheelie bin is not something you believe you need to readily invest in, or you have waste that does not meet the green bin specifications, many tips also offer a green waste section where you can properly dispose of it.

Fun Fact!

Nowadays, around 94% of local councils collect garden waste.

Many Council tips also offer a section where you can properly dispose of your green waste.

Fun Fact!

Since the launch of The Green Waste Club, over 65,000 residents have joined and together they have diverted almost 90,000 tonnes of garden waste from landfill. 46

Future Waste

NOVEMBER 23

FEATURE • IT’S NOT THAT EASY BEING GREEN

Composting

An inexpensive, completely natural process, composting utilises both your natural kitchen and garden waste into nutrient rich food that supports the soil in your garden. To go into the science of it, your old food scrapings have essentials for plant growth, such as potassium, nitrogen and phosphorus and are able to act as a pH buffer against soils that are too acidic or alkaline and won’t promote healthy growth. Effectively, it starts as food for you, then becomes food for your plants. What a perfect example of that all-important circular economy! In fact, it’s estimated that nearly half of the food waste we throw into our standard rubbish bins could have been composted. So, not only would composting help reduce landfill and aid in conserving the planet, but it will also make your petunias look extra snazzy. Unlike general green waste, there is no service for composting. It has to be undertaken under your own steam and vigilance, and unless you’re a gardener or even have a garden, it might not be something you think about. Fortunately, many councils offer a food waste collection service for a small additional fee. That way, it can be converted into agricultural fertiliser or natural energy forms that are a new alternative to fossil fuels. For more information on how to successfully compost, please visit https://www.recyclenow.com/how-torecycle/home-composting

Fun Fact!

Eggshells can also be crushed into a fine powder and then sprinkled into dog food to provide them with natural additional protein.

NOVEMBER 23

Future Waste

FEATURE • IT’S NOT THAT EASY BEING GREEN

Fun Fact!

Composting at home for just one year can save global warming gases equivalent to all of the annual CO2 production of your kettle.

Commercially

Of course, there is another entirely different set of rules when you are a commercial business of any kind. Gardeners, landscapers or even a simple lawn mowing business will all produce a far greater amount of green waste than the average household and can’t rely on customers having handy green bins they can use. And with the threat of potential fines omnipresent, it is then crucial to business that green waste is recycled correctly. Government guidelines ask that all waste is kept to a minimum as much as possible, following the good old ethos of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. It also means that it is absolutely essential that the waste is properly sorted and categorised. As a waste transfer note for each load will be required, you must ensure you are a registered waste carrier if your business does transport green waste. If the only waste you carry is produced by your own business, and you don’t transport construction or demolition waste, you will be a lower tier waste carrier. There is no charge to register as a lower tier waste carrier and your registration will not expire, though failure to register can result in a £5,000 fine, so better to be safe than sorry. If you buy, sell or dispose of waste, then you will need to register as a dealer. If you arrange for someone else to buy, sell or dispose of waste then you must register as a broker. For full details, please see the government website: https://www.gov.uk/register-renew-wastecarrier-broker-dealer-england Agriculture is the biggest commercial contributor of green waste, and still falls under the same government guidelines as everyone else. However, as their biggest green waste component is manure and slurry, most tend to use it as their own fertiliser on their farms. This not only plays a huge part in the waste management industries goal of Zero Waste, but it also means that the material in question is then exempt from government guidelines as it has been used in house. However, other regulations still need to be followed such as ground water regulations, causing some restrictions on the spreading of manure and sludge to land. The Chartered Institute of Waste Management (CIWM) sets out these agricultural guidelines here: https://www.ciwm.co.uk/ ciwm/knowledge/agricultural-waste. aspx?gclid=Cj0KCQjw9rSoBhCiARIsAFOipln_ mjD8Omf7RHRb9_BLnsN0qDxt6qLF_ URPoF1kMkjDhodYgt0TiXkaAhZYEALw_wcB

Future Waste

NOVEMBER 23

FEATURE • IT’S NOT THAT EASY BEING GREEN

Fun Fact!

A survey carried out in England, 2013, showed that 93% of all agricultural waste, 43 million tonnes, was manure and slurries waste. When green waste is left to decompose amongst other landfill, it actually produces a much higher quantity of methane into the atmosphere.

Why is it Important?

We know what you’re thinking: “this is all very lovely, but how does it actually help mother earth?” It’s okay! We’ll explain! Sustainability is always the primary goal for any recycling programme. Diverting organic waste from landfill means such a hefty percentage of the site is then reduced and less space needs to be converted to provide for solid waste. On top of this, when green waste is left to decompose amongst other landfill, it actually produces a much higher quantity of methane into the atmosphere. If disposed of properly, that is completely avoided. It’s the first step towards the ultimate goal of zero waste and zeroto-landfill, something that the waste management industry is keen to get fully underway. When appropriately recycled, green waste actively contributes to the planet as its use as a fertiliser aids much needed regrowth. However, this can have consequences if not done properly. A Newcastle University study from 2015 showed that improper regulation of the matter included in green waste bins could have catastrophic implications in other areas of humanity; in this instance, archaeology. Dr James Gerrard, from Newcastle University’s School of History, Classics and Archaeology, said: “Contaminated green waste is a significant and growing problem for archaeology. NOVEMBER 23

In many cases, the results of a geophysical survey are the only evidence that there is something of archaeological interest below the surface. More stringent regulation and robust enforcement are needed to ensure that archaeologists can continue to rely on geophysical surveys when prospecting an area.” At the time, specifications said that 0.25% of composted material could be made of non-organic waste, which led to metal fragments being included in agricultural fertilisers. That, in turn, interfered with the magnetic data archaeologists used for conducting geophysical surveys. Since then, we have a much better understanding of how such non-biodegradable waste effects our soil, and better restrictions are in place. It goes to show just how vital correct disposal of green waste is, and not always in the most obvious ways.

The Takeaway

Correct disposal of all waste is still certainly a hot topic, but particularly with green waste. Ensuring proper procedures are followed can have a profoundly positive effect on the environment and aid in our collective future. Sure, it might not be that easy being green… But it’s worth the effort. Future Waste

COMPANY PROFILE • AMP ROBOTICS

RECYCLING ROBOTS THE IMPORTANCE OF RECYCLING RECOGNITION AMP Robotics was utterly delighted to present at the RWM expo this year. Live from Material Village, our Regional Sales Manager, Niall Bolster, took to the crowd to detail exactly why recycling recognition is fundamental to the world of recycling.

obots are the newest players in the world of sorting waste. Human sorters, Opticals, and other sorting equipment have been around for decades. Given its infancy, robot performance requires a higher acceptance threshold as there are many external forces impacting robot performance. While the robot performance is based on coupling the mechanical movement with ROS there are elements which can influence this, and they can be defined as four main problems: Poor Item Recognition, Material Presentation, Managing Expectations, Mechanical Issues.

Future Waste

Niall Bolster

NOVEMBER 23

COMPANY PROFILE • AMP ROBOTICS

Poor Item Recognition The main reason behind that lies very often in the neural network. In case anyone is not familiar with how the technology works in relation to sorting, there are 3 main components: A Vision System – The Eyes, A Neural Network – the Brains The Robotic Arm – The Hands. The eyes detect and identify objects and send this information to the Brain, which then directs the mechanical robot in terms of a necessary action. If the neural network is not solid, the robot will miss picks. Material Presentation If the burden depth is too high, manual sorters can go through the material on the conveyor to see what’s underneath another item. Robots cannot do that. It is important to take this into consideration because ignoring this will directly impact the performance of the robot. Managing Expectation I don’t want anything permanently connected to the internet. You can also run the NN locally without having to maintain a constant internet connection. I cannot afford a lengthy downtime for installation. Typically, our installations are carried out over a weekend and you are ready to go on a Monday morning. Mechanical Issues I need to change all my chutes OR it does not fit in my cabin. Modifying chutes is not an impossible task and our Cortex-C will fit nearly all cabins so very often the level of plant modification required is minimal, making it ideal for the retrofit market. NOVEMBER 23

Future Waste

COMPANY PROFILE • AMP ROBOTICS

Tackling the problem

In today’s fast-paced world where AI is a buzz word, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of developing ‘cool’ technology. In actuality, it means you’ve taken your eye off the real goal in aligning AI with customers’ needs to build a product that people can successfully implement in today’s recycling process. Technology has evolved a lot in the last couple of years. Just thinking on the phones in our hands today, our reliance on their updates long ago became essential to our everyday lives. Yet the same phone was not as performative 7-8 years ago. Any new technology needs a bit of time to improve, especially when you’re talking about a neural network that learns as it goes. Anyone who might have had a poor experience with robots in the past, it doesn’t necessarily follow that robots perform the same today as they did 5-7 years ago. But it’s our job to prove that to the customer. So, moving back the main focus… WHY is item recognition so important in our industry?

Future Waste

AI Systems are far more effective at detecting a wider variety of objects than sensor-based sorting equipment (Opticals). On the other side of the coin, other sorting equipment (Opticals) are great at differentiating polymers under ideal conditions, but they do have certain limitations; number of fractions, black plastics, materials with contamination or certain labels, not to mention hitch-hikers etc. An AI NN can help us understand how well today’s existing sorting processes are doing and how we can improve them. From a digital transformation perspective, society is notoriously slow at digital transformation, especially when it comes to implementing new ways to manage existing systems. This is something that is changing – and at a quicker pace now that severe repercussions like COVID-19 and its impact have emerged in the last few years. Critical to digital transformation is the ability to implement and make optimal use of the new and emerging technologies available right now to improve business operations and performance.

NOVEMBER 23

COMPANY PROFILE • AMP ROBOTICS

So, how do we move in the right direction? Let’s take a look at Categories/Labels and sub-labels. Data labelling requires large raw data batches to establish a strong foundation for predictable patterns. The data you use to lay the foundation for learning must be tagged and labelled hence internally we refer to them as labels and not necessarily categories. The datatagging is based around specific data features that help the learning model organise the data into patterns. We train our systems by giving them images of materials belonging to each category, sourced from recycling facilities around the world. In machine learning, data labelling is the process of identifying raw data (images, text files, videos, etc.) and adding one or more meaningful and informative labels to provide context so that a machine learning model can learn from it. Once this dataset has been created, the system sees these objects and their “annotations” and begins to look for patterns. The result is that the system begins to learn to identify objects much in the same way a person learns. What it is doing is discovering patterns that are correlated with a material type. NOVEMBER 23

Future Waste

COMPANY PROFILE • AMP ROBOTICS

One of the big benefits of doing pure multiclass classification is that you typically have more data to learn from, which allows for better discrimination between subtly distinct classes. PET Light Blue and PET Clear for example. So, now to the subject of sub-labels: The known primary categories for example, cHDPE, nHDPE, PET, etc are very well defined. NN use confidence levels and area measurements to decide on priorities when picking. We use sub-labels to create additional specificity within a category. Recommended for customers who care about precision/purity. With comprehensive data labelling, the AI system performs better and delivers more accurate results. • Sub-labels are used to narrow and specify within a category.

Future Waste

• Sub-labels are identifying the attributes of a particular main category, for example, colour, shape, function, brand. • Sub-labels describe a primary category with more precision as opposed to pin-pointing a particular item within a stream. • ML is here to automate data processing, but you need to set the rules first. So just to give you an indication of some sublabel examples: • Colour variations on some of the primary category’s HDPE, PET including black. • Wrapped products, to include fully and partially wrapped, sticker labels and no labels. We are constantly working on new sub-labels, and we have a large team dedicated to this aspect of our NN development. NOVEMBER 23

COMPANY PROFILE • AMP ROBOTICS

AMP – At a Glance

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION To learn more about AMP Robotics, please visit: www.amprobotics.com NOVEMBER 23

So, with all of this is mind, why is AMP the right choice when it comes to recycling robots? 74 billion objects identified annually Deep learning and neural networks give us a rich data set, and it is not just a case of simply saying our system has detected this number of items annually. We still have a team of annotators who invest 20k hours monthly, labelling and annotating items taken from the dataset to improve the confidence levels. 50 material categories Separated by form factor, colour, grade and polymer type, with further iterations by food contact and non-food contact as well as capability of traceability down to the CPG brand owner. 350 installations globally We are working with companies across the spectrum of recyclable materials to adapt its AI platform to the specificity of a manufacturer or brand, and disperse the sorting capability to materials recovery facilities (MRFs) with its robotic sorting systems. Any MRF with one of our Cortex systems can now accurately and efficiently sort Sonoco’s paper can to the desired stream. This enables manufacturers to directly influence what’s recoverable and take advantage of the ability to capture more of their specific packaging. 60% repeat customers The case study is just a small sample of the number of customers who purchased additional units after an initial test period. • AI-powered technology and equipment provider for global waste and recycling companies. • 9 years of industry experience empowered by a team of veterans and technologists (Founded 2014). • The industry’s largest fleet of 350 AI units deployed in 80+ facilities in 8 countries across 3 continents. • A growing portfolio of innovative automation solutions for material recovery and waste analysis. • Partnerships with MRFs and PRFs of all sizes, with 60% repeat customers. • Established service network with remote monitoring, on-site support, and 24/7 coverage. • Financially strong with $169m funding raised by major global investors. Future Waste

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OLIO SHARE MORE, WASTE LESS The savvy app for sharing the things you don’t want with the people that do. Don’t buy it or bin it. Olio it!

FEATURE • OLIO

Tessa Clarke

hen thinking about food waste, technology is not usually the first thing that springs to mind. But taking this innovative step is the first in a long journey towards lowering the rising problem of food waste.

One app that has taken the market by storm is Olio, the local sharing app. Launched in 2015, the originally London based sharing app has grown and developed into something truly astounding. Future Waste’s Rebecca Phillips was lucky enough to sit down with co-founder and CEO, Tessa Clarke to get the lowdown on everything Olio has achieved since its humble beginnings. Rebecca: I guess my first big question is, where did Olio begin? Tessa: Well, Olio was cofounded by myself and my friend Saasha. Both of us come from backgrounds where food waste simply wasn’t an option. I grew up on a dairy farm in Yorkshire, and when you see every day the graft that goes into food production, you know how criminal it is to waste it. Saasha is the daughter of ‘Iowa hippy entrepreneurs’ and spent a lot of her childhood following her mum around on food salvage missions. Like I said, neither of us want to waste food.

Share more, waste less NOVEMBER 23

Future Waste

FEATURE • OLIO Rebecca: What was the idea that sparked the app? Tessa: The ‘lightbulb’ moment really came when I was moving back to the UK from overseas. The removal men said to me that I needed to throw away the surplus food we had as we couldn’t take it with us. And I simply couldn’t do that. So I grabbed the food, my newborn and toddler with me, and I went out on the streets to see if anyone wanted it. Sadly, they didn’t. Massive failure! I had to do a stealth mission to sneak it back into the house and into my packing boxes so the removal men couldn’t see me! A few months later I was telling Saasha about the whole ordeal. We sat down and researched if there was an app for such a thing and there wasn’t anything! And to our absolute horror we saw statistic after statistic that talked about how negatively food waste affects our planet. One-third of food produced is wasted, globally. That’s about 1.3 billion tons per year, which amounts to 1 trillion dollars! We knew then, we had to do something about it. Rebecca: Those are some frightening statistics! Tessa: Sadly, I have so many of them. 800 million people go to bed hungry every year. And approximately 10 million people in the UK are living in food poverty.

One-third of food produced is wasted, globally. That’s about 1.3 billion tons per year, which amounts to 1 trillion dollars!

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FEATURE • OLIO Rebecca: Can you tell me a few more? Tessa: I certainly can! All the food produced but never eaten would be sufficient to feed two billion people. That’s more than twice the number of undernourished people across the globe. If wasted food were a country, it would be the third-largest producer of carbon dioxide in the world, after the USA and China. Consumers in rich countries waste almost as much food as the entire net food production of sub-Saharan Africa each year. In developing countries, 40 percent of losses occur at post-harvest and processing levels. Rebecca: So, how does Olio help? Tessa: Well, reducing food waste is now recognised as one of the most impactful things when it comes to carbon emissions. Project Drawdown – which is a global collaborative piece of work by several hundred of the world’s leading climate change scientists – is considered the definitive ranking of the top 100 solutions to the climate crisis. In position number 1 for a maximum 2 degree warmer world is reducing food waste, which comes above a plant based diet, electric cars and solar power! So really, we cannot simply recycle our way out of the climate crisis. We have to go a stage further, hence why food sharing works so well. It never even makes it to landfill. At Olio we’ve also saved over 20 billion litres of water from our food sharing activities so far. That’s because food production is incredibly water intensive. Throwing away an apple isn’t just throwing away an apple; it’s throwing away the 70+ litres of water that were used to produce it. It’s also worth noting that by 2030 humanity’s demand for water is going to exceed supply by 40% – another truly terrifying thing that hasn’t yet penetrated our collective consciousness, once again making our work absolutely mission critical for humanity. NOVEMBER 23

Future Waste

FEATURE • OLIO Rebecca: That’s truly staggering! And all of that came from your app alone! Tessa:Absolutely. It shows how simple, easy changes can make such a difference. Olio originally started as a WhatsApp group between neighbours, then we tried a test version of the app in July 2015. The full app launched across the UK as a whole in January 2016 and since then has kept growing and developing. Rebecca: For our readers that don’t know, can you take me through how the app works? Tessa: Olio connects neighbours with each other and with local businesses so surplus stuff can be shared, not thrown away. Simply take a photo of what you don’t need, add it to the app and wait for someone to request and collect. It’s simple, safe and sustainable to share your spare — and do your bit by helping others and the planet too. This could be fresh fruit & veg you won’t eat before you go away, store cupboard items you’re not realistically going to use, unwanted food gifts, and more. It could also be any sort of non-food item — on a daily basis, Olio-ers share clothes, toiletries, books, kitchenware, and even furniture that they no longer need. You get to enjoy the feel-good factor of decluttering with Olio, knowing you’ve helped your community and the planet. Rebecca: So it’s not even just food anymore? Tessa: Nope! Household items too. Food waste is still our main focus, but it’s not our only end goal.

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FEATURE • OLIO Rebecca: How has the food waste portion of the app grown since it started? Tessa: We now have our volunteering Food Waste Heroes programme, where people sign up to help distribute the food that big companies are getting rid of. Store staff at businesses we work with will set aside food for them to collect. Most of our volunteers do this on foot or by bike, so still staying environmentally friendly. They then take that food home, take pictures of it, and list it on the Olio app. People nearby will request it and collect it from them directly. So not only are they doing their bit for the planet, but they’re directly helping their local community too. Rebecca: That’s incredible! And still totally free for users? Tessa: Yes! We believe in ‘profit with purpose’, so the majority of our revenues come from the companies we work with, like Tesco, Iceland and Pret. Rather than pay a waste company to remove the food, we take it instead. 7 million people are part of the Olio community, which has meant 135 million portions of food shared and now 10 million household items have been shared so far. It means that big businesses are also able to give back to the community.

All the food produced but never eaten would be sufficient to feed two billion people. That’s more than twice the number of undernourished people across the globe. NOVEMBER 23

Future Waste

FEATURE • OLIO

Consumers in rich countries waste almost as much food as the entire net food production of sub-Saharan Africa each year. Rebecca: Sounds like it’s even more than a sharing app nowadays. Tessa:It really is. It’s having a fantastic social impact. We’ve had 30 million neighbour to neighbour connections, with 40% of users reporting they’ve made friends because of our app, 66% saying it’s helped their mental health and 75% saying that it has helped them financially. Rebecca: You must be so proud of what you and Saasha have created. Tessa: I really am. Although we have so much more work to do if we’re to really help solve the climate crisis at scale. Rebecca: What do you see for the future of Olio? Tessa: I think that really depends on the wider world’s attitude to food waste. It’s such a growing, persistent issue that isn’t talked about enough. In fact, the government was going to change legislation to make it so that big companies had to publish their food waste statistics, and retracted it a few months ago. I like the phrase “sunlight is the best form of disinfectant”. We need to know what is going on and yet we’re being kept in the dark. Regulation should support the effort to reduce food waste, not aid it. Rebecca: Any final thoughts? Tessa: So many people think living sustainably is painful, or difficult or expensive. It isn’t! Olio has proved that it’s anything but, and will continue to do so. 62

Future Waste

NOVEMBER 23

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SHOW REVIEW • SUNBELT RENTALS

BEING GREEN ISN’T JUST THE BRAND COLOUR Sunbelt Rental’s Go Greener Day was a triumph in every way it could possibly be!

uture Waste was delighted to be invited to Sunbelt Rental’s open day. An intimate affair, we were met with welcoming smiles as each and every member of the Sunbelt team was ready to demonstrate just how far they had gone with the green initiative. Hannah Pascoe was our wonderful guide through each of the sectors they had on display, and she was all too enthusiastic to praise the green initiative.

“Nowadays, big businesses and companies should be held accountable for their impact on the world. Sunbelt is the leading rentals company in Europe, and we’re happy to pave the way in lower emissions, fair cost to our customers and a positive attitude towards the planet’s future.” 64

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SHOW REVIEW • SUNBELT RENTALS

Inspired By Nature

We caught up with Charlotte Evans, Sunbelt Rental’s senior marketing manager and lead on the greener initiative who told us all about the inspiration behind the campaign. “Using animals as our influence made the campaign instantly accessible to the public,” she said as we began our tour with her. “It taps into something people inherently know and understand whilst keeping it tangible.” “It gives the customers something to root for,” added Hannah. “They can see the consequences right in front of them.” “Exactly! Who doesn’t love a cute animal with a strong accent?”

Gary The Squirrel

Gary, the smart talking Scottish squirrel, was first up on our animal themed wander through the exhibits, leading us over to the energy storage solutions. These temporary power solutions can power entire worksites and integrate perfectly with traditional power equipment. Sunbelt Rentals has the UK’s largest fleet of battery storage units (BSUs), something that they are continually researching and investing in.

NOVEMBER 23

Future Waste

SHOW REVIEW • SUNBELT RENTALS

Charlotte showed us their collaboration with PUNCH Flybrid, detailing the virtues of the PUNCH power 200. Its cuttingedge flywheel technology means this energy storage system is designed to connect to your power source easily and seamlessly. It enables the user to downsize their generator on dynamic loads such as hoists and tower cranes, as the rapid power boost of the PUNCH Power 200 means you get everything you need without compromising performance. So not only does it aid the greener solution initiative by reducing emissions, but it also lowers your fuel consumption. That, and you get to say you’re using the same technology as Formula One. Which is pretty darn cool.

Peggy the Hedgehog

Next up on our tour was Peggy the hedgehog’s energy management systems. The glowing posterchild of the event, Peggy and her hedgehog crew’s hibernation patterns inspired a crucial greener solution in Sunbelt Rental’s arsenal. Quite the prickly topic amongst clients, Charotte took us through just how Sunbelt Rentals was there to help customers manage those dreaded energy spikes.

These clever pieces of technology monitor and react to a sudden increase in energy demand, which in turn optimises your energy efficiency. They know when to give more power and when to turn it down based on each individuals’ usage, not only reducing overall emissions, but also cost to the customer.

Florence the Moth

Our final stop on the nature trail was Sunbelt Rental’s solar solutions, inspired by Florence the moth and her dazzling love of light. These solar energy systems recharge in the day so they are ready and raring to shine at night. Exceedingly environmentally friendly, Sunbelt Rental’s range of solar powered lighting towers are well suited to a range of different jobs, including construction sites, highways works, railways, airports and outdoor events. As well as the Eco Tower Lights, Sunbelt Rentals also has Hybrid Tower Lights, which perfectly straddle the line between fuel powered and solar driven lighting. The Hybrid range offers far lower fuel consumption as well as fully solar powered lights, meaning these super silent options are perfect for noise and pollution sensitive areas. Their wide range of units also has added bonuses of natural light detection, automatic stop/start mechanisms, telematics, alarm systems and transport protection sensors.

Sunbelt are ‘One in Vermillion’!

It’s fair to say that Sunbelt Rentals truly shone at their open day. From their wonderful welcome to their ‘happy to help’ ethos, they couldn’t have been more accommodating and friendly. For us at Future Waste, it is so inspiring to see such a large company put so much effort into every minute detail of their day. They truly went above and beyond to demonstrate their level of care for all creatures, great and small.

Future Waste

NOVEMBER 23

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FEATURE • A YEAR IN THE MAKING

FUTURE WASTE

AYEAR IN THE MAKING Well, golly gosh, dear readers. Can you believe it’s been one whole year of Future Waste? It’s okay, I’m not sure we can quite fathom it either.

began at the RWM expo, as we happily hosted our 1st birthday party (complete with cake we might add)! So many people came to celebrate with us, including Alfred H Knight, one of our very first advertisers!

What started out as a section in the back pages of our sister magazine, Plant Planet, has grown into a fully independent publication. Future Waste was thrilled to be back where it all

Now, with our place in the world of recycling firmly secured, we can reminisce with pride at just how far we’ve come in a year. But, let’s rewind the clock a little further back …

No?

Future Waste

NOVEMBER 23

FEATURE • A YEAR IN THE MAKING

2021 – In the beginning…

It was at the wonderful RWM expo in 2021 that the idea for our wonderful magazine was born. Exhibiting and covering the event as Plant Planet, our Business Manager, Darren Shelton had an idea. “Looking around at all the exhibits that year was so inspiring,” he said as we looked back at the very first issue we appeared in. “It seemed like such a missed opportunity on our part not to cover waste management specifically when there was so much to be said. Discussing this idea really made us see that there was a void to be filled.” So, using the industry’s machinery as a segway, Future Waste came to fruition.

It was something we could really be proud of

NOVEMBER 23

2022 – Ready to launch!

With Plant Planet getting bigger than ever, it didn’t come as a complete surprise that Future Waste’s reputation grew and grew alongside. “So many of our readers loved the new segment initially published in Plant Planet,” said Darren. “And then advertisers we’d not had cause to reach out to before saw potential in us. It seemed silly not to begin the transition to become fully independent.” It was only right that the 2022 RWM became our launchpad for our standalone Future Waste magazine. Afterall, it was the inspiration behind the entire idea. Ready to stand on our own two feet, Future Waste’s first issue was released in September 2022 with the wonderful GGR group proudly displayed on the front cover. “It was something we could really be proud of,” said Brendon Cook, Managing Director. “To think that it had only taken a year to become fully independent is incredible.”

Future Waste

FEATURE • A YEAR IN THE MAKING

2023 – Year One: The First Of Many Our first full year in the business has been an absolute triumph. Brendon is absolutely delighted with our success. “The journey into waste has been a lot more in-depth, complex and exciting than we first realised,” said Brendon. “Now that we have immersed ourselves into the waste market, we get the privilege of spreading the word about something new and exciting. It just doesn’t stop evolving!” We’ve had the great fortune to attend so many wonderful shows, from huge events like Plantworx in June, to intimate events, like Sunbelt’s Go Greener Day in September. And of course, we got to return to RWM, this time exhibiting on our own in celebration of our one year anniversary.

Becca, our Future Waste Sales Executive, had her event debut at RWM and was pleased as punch with the results. “It’s wonderful to have the chance to work in an industry with no end to its development opportunities. I might be new to the Future Waste team, but I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.” And what does it hold you might be asking? That’s easy to answer. More. “We have so much in the works for the magazine,” said our Editor, Rebecca Phillips. “Future Waste is now absolutely ready to take the world by storm. We’re going out on site, interviewing industry professionals and really tackling the bigger issues in the world of waste. I can’t wait for everyone to see what lies ahead.”

Thank You

Of course, we wouldn’t be where we are today without the support of our readers. We wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your support since the very beginning. Without you, we wouldn’t be thriving as we are now. Thank you dear readers. Here’s to the years ahead! Cheers! 70

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NOVEMBER 23

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