Nestlé urges research around burning plastics for fuel
Nestlé has called for more lifecycle assessment around post-consumer mixed plastics, arguing that a there may be greater role for energy recovery in dealing with this waste stream. Speaking at the Resource Recovery Forum's summer conference, Nestlé's head of packaging for UK & Ireland, David Wiggins, said more open debate was needed around obtaining energy from waste plastics. “As a packaging scientist, when I look at a pile of mixed plastics waste, I see a shedload of calories with which [by recycling] we are putting in more energy to recover,” he told delegates. “We really need a scientist to do some independent lifecycle assessment work on this”. (Edie)
Controversial plans to sell off England’s public forests abandoned by Government
Controversial plans to sell off England’s public forest estate were finally abandoned by the UK Government yesterday, after an expert panel called for the 637,000 acres of woodlands owned by the Forestry Commission to remain in public ownership. Barely minutes after the new report was published online, the Environment Secretary, Caroline Spelman, announced that the idea of a sell-off had been given up for good. It remains to be seen whether ministers will accept several other recommendations made by the panel, which range from setting up two new bodies to look after woodlands, to increasing the amount of forest cover in Britain by half. (The Independent)
Plastic bag use in Wales plummets due to charge
Supermarkets in Wales have reported reductions of up to 96% in the use of single-use plastic bags following the introduction of a 5p charge last October. Bag use at 13 retailers including M&S, McDonalds and Sainsburys saw reductions of 70-96% for food retail, and 68-75% for fashion, figures compiled by the British Retail Consortium show. The survey also showed that support for the charge, which covers paper as well as plastic bags, had risen since its introduction, with the number “strongly supporting” it rising from 35% to 49%. (The Guardian)
Social Investments
John Lewis provides spare room for local communities
John Lewis is inviting charities, health and arts groups to use spare rooms in its department stores as part of a plan get more involved with local communities. The scheme was trialled in five stores last year, and is now being extended to 19 branches. Andy Street, managing director of John Lewis, said: “We'd like our shops to become a place where the community is happy to spend time, for use as a genuine resource.” The community rooms scheme is part of a broader effort by John Lewis to expand the partnership concept its staff enjoy into local communities. Each department store works with local charities and community groups, and allows shoppers to vote on which causes their local store supports. (The Guardian)
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