Green Matters - September 2008
Where does it go?
Ever wondered what happens to your recycling once it leaves Hackney? Read on to find out where your household waste ends its journey.
Batteries are taken to G&P Batteries, based in Darlaston, West Midlands, which specialises in recycling and processing both lead and non-lead acid batteries.
Click on the image to enlarge.
Kitchen and garden waste is sent to London Waste Ltd in Edmonton, where it is composted on site. The end product is used in Hackney’s parks and green spaces.
Plastic bottles collected in the Green Box scheme are sent to JFC Plastics Ltd, St Helens, Merseyside. They are turned into drain pipes for construction and agricultural markets, wood substitute decking and fencing, street furniture and traffic lights.
Textiles collected through the Green Box scheme are sent to LM Barry, based in Canning Town, or to Oxfam and TRAID (registered charities) if left in one of Hackney’s textile banks. In each case, materials are sorted into two streams: reusable clothes for charity, or to be reprocessed to make felt, wadding and dusters.
Tins, cans and foil are sent to AMG in Wales, where they are turned straight back into more tins and cans.
Glass is separated into colours and sent to a plant in Harlow, run by British Glass. After it has been cleaned to remove things like labels and plastic, it is mixed with other materials and melted down to be turned into more bottles and jars. They are of the same quality as the originals because glass can be recycled again and again without losing its purity.
Paper is taken to Ayleford Newsprint in Kent, where it is turned into newsprint. Yellow Pages are a low grade paper so can’t be treated in the same way.
They are sent to Raven’s Waste Paper in Croydon, to be shredded for animal bedding. Cardboard goes to London Recycling Ltd, where it is reprocessed into cardboard.
Oil is dealt with by Malary Environmental Services, where it is blended to produce high quality, reclaimed fuel oil (RFO).
New services go live on estates
Residents on Hackney estates have begun using new recycling services being rolled out by the Council.
The first new bins were delivered to Woodberry Down estate this month.
The new service allows residents in high-rise properties to put all their recycling out together, although on some estates paper is recycled separately to maintain its quality.
The Council tried out a number of different methods of collecting recycling from estates, before the new services were chosen.
Many residents took part in the trials, and their input has helped in the development of the new facilities.
Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said: “The new service aims to make recycling easier for residents.
“Results from the trials have helped us to roll out the new service, which is the biggest change to the service since its introduction.
“More materials have been added to the list of accepted recyclables, such as plastic bottles and cardboard.”
In the bag
More than 200 people from finance firm UBS joined the Woodberry Down Regeneration Team (WDRT) for a series of tidy up days in August.
The volunteers helped improve the area through painting, weeding, gardening and litter picking.
They were also assigned various projects including creating a nature garden, in partnership with the London Wildlife Trust; repainting the Robin Redmond Resource Centre hall; and creating flower beds, with the Metropolitan Housing Trust, which helps to train local people with disabilities.
The WDRT worked with residents to identify areas most in need of attention, including around Savernake House and Newnton Close.The East London Business Alliance (ELBA) helped Hackney Homes to organise the days as part of its work to connect East London businesses and local people, in order to help transform neighbourhoods.
Woodberry Down Programme Director, Robin Smith, said the volunteers’ work was much appreciated.
“We are grateful for the support of ELBA and UBS in helping make Woodberry Down cleaner and more pleasant.”
He added: “I am delighted with the work they have completed so far, and I am hopeful we can continue the relationship with ELBA and UBS to further improve the local Woodberry Down environment for the benefit of residents.”
More information
To organise a tidy up visit: www.thebigtidyup.org.
Warm and safe as houses
Homeownes and private landlords in Hackney could be eligible for a grant to help counter rising fuel bills.
Up to £6,000 is available for owner-occupiers and landlords to pay for loft insulation, pipe and tank lagging, draughtproofing, boiler replacement and thermostatic radiator valves. The Council’s Warmth and Security Grants can also pay for fitting window and door locks, bolts, door chains and viewers, and security lights to make homes safe.
As well as cutting bills, using less energy is good for the planet.
Cllr Alan Laing, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, said:
“With rising fuel costs it is important people know what help is available to make their homes more energy efficient.”
Hackney also works with not-for-profit organisation London Warm Zone and EDF Energy to make grants available to eligible homeowners and tenants for boiler repairs, new central heating systems, loft and cavity wall insulation. In recognition of this work, a tree has been planted and dedicated to the borough at a Woodland Trust site in Surrey.
More information
For Council grants visit the Improvements and Repairs call: 020 8356 4555/6; or email: private.sector.housing@hackney.gov.uk; or go to: www.londonwarmzones.co.uk.
Page updated: 8 Oct 2008