Plan for improving waste industry health and safety launched

The Waste Industry Safety and Health forum (WISH) has published a detailed plan, consisting of five steps with the aim of enhancing health and safety in the waste industry and reducing the sector’s accident rates. The news will certainly interest many of those that take advantage of Collect and Recycle (http://www.collectandrecycle.com) for services like fridge recycling.

The blueprint was developed after the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) launched a four-year strategy in February this year, outlining the overall strategy with regard to enhancing waste management industry health and safety. The WISH blueprint, although intended to cover the period up to 2018, will be reviewed each year and gives 24 actions that the group will immediately carry out.

The plan divides actions into five strategic themes: providing strong leadership, building competence, involving the workforce, creating healthier and safer workplaces, and providing support for small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs). The blueprint includes such initiatives as publishing new training materials on the successful involvement of workers, developing leadership standards from within the waste sector and working with customers to use their leverage in the promotion of improved competence – all aims that may positively impact on such sectors as computer recycling in the years to come.

WISH chair Chris Jones stated about the blueprint: “WISH has been working to improve health, safety and welfare in waste and recycling for more than a decade, and we’ve made some good progress in that time.” He added that the industry did not lack desire to improve its record, as “was clear from the summit in February and the amount of energy and commitment … shown in getting us to this point in publishing the blueprint.”

He added that “everything is achievable, and without unreasonable cost or burden” if the industry combined its efforts, contributed and supported the necessary work, concluding that although there was “a long road ahead” in ensuring “healthier and safer industry … we’re off in the right direction.”

A working group for each of WISH’s strategy goals has been established, allowing for progress to be overseen in relation to each of the blueprint’s stated objectives, while a steering group has also been set up to oversee overall progress towards the aims. The intention is for each working group to serve as a ‘knowledge hub’ communicating with other industry stakeholder groups that are committed to similar initiatives, to enable the harmonization of work across the industry.

Waste management industry representatives, trade associations, the HSE and national and local government bodies all make up WISH. “This is a really important development in the drive for improved health and safety in the waste and recycling sector,” HSE’s waste and recycling lead Graeme Walker concluded.

As a leading provider of services like electrical waste recycling, Collect and Recycle (http://www.collectandrecycle.com) welcomes such moves to improve health and safety in its industry. We remain committed to the very highest levels of health and safety for our workers, as part of an efficient and compliant WEEE disposal service.

Editor’s Note: Collect and Recycle (http://www.collectandrecycle.com) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.

MRF Code of Practice launched

The 1^st February 2013 saw the long-awaited launch of the Code of Practice for material recycling facilities (MRFs) by resource minister Lord de Mauley. The event in Southwark also saw the unveiling of a Quality Action Plan, in news that will interest many of those who have used computer recycling specialists like Collect and Recycle (http://www.collectandrecycle.com).

As a result of the Code of Practice, presently in draft form, all MRFs of a certain minimum size will need to measure the quality of their inputs and outputs. Users of services like aluminium recycling would then be able to see the results, whether they are local councils or others responsible for supplying material to the MRFs, or organisations that purchase the recycling material.

The mandatory code has arisen from an initiative developed by the trade association for the UK's waste management sector, the Environmental Services Association (ESA). Although it is anticipated that businesses involved in affected areas like computer disposal will spend around £13 million implementing the MRF code and quality action plan, the Government has anticipated that the resulting higher material revenue and reduction in landfill costs will bring them a net saving of £31 million. Greenhouse gas emissions will also be reduced.

Lord de Mauley commented at the official launch event of the "strong business and environmental case for driving up quality", adding that “it is in all our interests to obtain the maximum economic value from our recyclates, whatever the material. The right levels of quality unlock and deliver value to the whole supply chain. Get the quality right, and this consultation will help do that, I hope, and manufacturers that use recyclates will want access to greater quantities."

The minister said that while "there has been a quiet revolution in the volume of cycling collected, processed and traded ... quality is perhaps as important". He praised WRAP for supporting the MRF code and the ESA and its members for their early input in its development. Although the minster seemed to give out mixed messages on the code's mandatory aspects in a question and answer session, it is understood that the code is mandatory and the accompanying Quality Action Plan is more voluntary in nature.

Delivery of the MRF code will take place through alterations to the Environmental Permitting Regulations (England and Wales) which would be in force by April 6 2014. Consultations opened today on the proposals, with April 26 the deadline for responses. The regulations will apply to all permitted MRFs that process over 1,000 tonnes of dry recyclate per annum.

As leading specialists in electrical waste recycling, Collect and Recycle (http://www.collectandrecycle.com) welcomes moves to better regulate our industry to the benefit of all parties. We remain abreast of the latest amendments to the law in our provision of fridge recycling and similar services, ensuring that customers benefit from a service that is entirely legal as well as affordable, practical and reliable.

Editor’s Note: Collect and Recycle (http://www.collectandrecycle.com) is represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Please direct all press queries to Louise Byrne. Email: louise@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.