The recycling rates in the United Kingdom were nothing short of pathetic a mere few years ago, but now, thanks to efforts by the government and local councils, the rates have increased.  While there is still a long way to go, there have been many effective schemes launched in the UK which have raised recycling rates, especially when it comes to household recycling.  Because of the increase several recycling markets have gotten more competitive and forced companies to pay more for the material or to offer additional services to the customer such as free pick up and collection.  This is ... Full Story

When the government launched their car scrapping scheme last year it did so as a way to boost the economy. The idea was that by offering money for used cars it would encourage people to buy new cars and thus boost one of the struggling industries of the United Kingdom.  The jury is still out as to whether this actually worked, as the United Kingdom remains mired in a recession.  However, some reports are showing that even though the car scrapping scheme may not have increased the number of new cars by much it did provide a boost to an ... Full Story

Earlier in the year studies revealed that the United Kingdom was lagging behind many of its European counterparts when it comes to recycling and waste management.  This has led to a large number of government schemes and campaigns aimed at reducing waste and increasing the rates of recycling.  These measures have been somewhat successful as the recycling rates in the United Kingdom have increased dramatically, mostly due to the efforts of local councils which were pressured to get their citizens to be greener.  Although the rates for some things have increased the United Kingdom is still behind when it comes ... Full Story

With all of the talk about the environment and economy over the last year there have been a few industries that have been lost in the shuffle.  While issues like climate change and household recycling have taken the front page headlines, other facets of the recycling and waste management community have been silently struggling to overcome the effects of a worldwide recession.  The metal recycling industry has taken some large hits over the past few months as global demand has driven prices way down, making some wonder if the metal recycling industry could go under without government assistance.  This is ... Full Story

The two biggest issues in the world over the last two years have been the environment and the economy.  In fact, a recent study showed that some of the biggest hits on the internet over the last decade are sites discussing one of these two issues.  Although many in the world see these issues as separate entities many are starting to realize that many of the struggles in the economy have come as a result of ignoring environmental issues.  It is also becoming increasingly evident that the businesses involving the environment could be one way out of the current financial ... Full Story

Environmental issues have taken over the media as of late as the world waits in anticipation for the United Nations summit on climate change that will take place in Copenhagen.  Governments around the world have been stepping up their efforts to reduce waste and increase recycling by putting pressure on businesses and local councils to come up with innovative new schemes that will increase recycling rates and reduce the amount of waste that goes to landfill.  While it is unknown whether the December summit will produce worldwide regulations on carbon emissions, it is certain that businesses, associations, and environmental groups ... Full Story

Campaigners from the green group Friends of the Earth say that the United Kingdom wastes hundreds of millions of pounds a year by tossing garbage which could be recycled.  Friends of the Earth estimates that twenty four million tonnes of recyclable materials such as plastics end up in UK landfills each year.  The group claims that the UK is literally burying money by not recycling as many of these materials can be sold for profit.  Not only can recycling be financially profitable, but of course it can help reduce the carbon footprint left in the United Kingdom. The United Kingdom has ... Full Story

In an effort to launch its recycling plan in the United Kingdom, and to continue to remind people that recycling is important, Coke commissioned the construction of what some people are called the world's largest piece of recycled art.  Coke hired Robert Bradford to make a statue fifty meters high that is made entirely out of aluminum cans that were recycled.  The sculpture was named "Precious Metal" and Coke hope that it acts as a reminder that recycling continues to be an important issue in the United Kingdom. Coke started a recycling campaign in the United Kingdom as a way to ... Full Story

Last month prices were so low for recycled materials that some in the industry feared that the entire United Kingdom recycling system would collapse.  However, as prices start to stabilise things are looking a little bit better for an industry that seemed on the brink of collapse.  Industry insiders are warning that although prices are starting to return to normal it is not a guarantee that the industry is in the clear.  The pricing crash in the United Kingdom revealed a variety of problems with the current system including a heavy reliance on exporting waste to other countries. The price of ... Full Story

To mark its re-emergence in the steel packaging recycling business and perhaps as a sign that the economy is pulling out of a recession, Corus has launched two new steel bulking centers in Cumbria and South Wales.  The company had been absent from the market for nearly a year, as the global recession led to less demand for natural resources and recycling.  Corus has partnered with Pontypool Steel and Derwent Recycling to streamline the recycling of cans made from steel. The company will focus on quality checking, storing, and baling of cans collected by local authorities, councils, waste management companies, and ... Full Story

A recycling project based in Aberdeen that provided employment for area residents with disabilities will not be reopening. Aye Can had employed as many as 30 staff in the recycling of metal cans. The funding for the recycling project was lost last year in council budget cuts, but then had been rescued by emergency funds from the Scottish government. It was to have been run by the Inspire charity, as a social enterprise, but falling recycled metal prices led to the project becoming unviable. Catriona McPhee-Smith, the chief executive of Inspire, said: “It is with great regret that Inspire are forced to withdraw from ... Full Story

www.viridor.co.uk A disused Avonmouth factory may be set to become a recycling and incineration facility. One of the largest waste management firms in the UK, Viridor, has said that it would like to use the former Sevalco site in a £180-million scheme that would include the incineration of waste to produce electricity. News regarding Viridor’s plan has come just a week after it was learned that a £40-million deal was agreed that would see a recycling plant built in Avonmouth aimed at an 80 per cent reduction in the amount of rubbish being sent to landfill. In Viridor’s plan, black bag waste would be ... Full Story