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Category Archives: Health and Safety

MyBins App – Transforming Waste Management for Households and Councils 

Actions to tackle litter, Albion Environmental News, Environmental Management Systems, Health and Safety, Recycling, Sustainability, Uncategorized, Waste Analysis, Waste Management, Zero Waste Scotland

With the MyBins App, households and Councils across the UK can adopt a smarter, more efficient approach to waste management.  

Designed to simplify your recycling efforts, enhance council services, and promote sustainability, MyBins is the ultimate tool for modern waste management. 

For Households: Convenience at Your Fingertips 

The MyBins App is packed with features to make managing your waste and recycling simple and stress-free: 

Bin Reminders: Never miss bin day again! The app sends timely notifications to remind you which bin to put out. 

“Which Bin?” Finder: Wondering where to toss that tricky item? Use the app to find the correct bin for your waste. 

Customisable to Your Needs: Tailored to your area’s bin schedule, the app ensures accurate and up-to-date information. 

What users are saying: 

South Ayrshire: “Great app, especially the reminders for which bin to put out and when. I like the easy-to-understand ‘what goes in each bin’ too.” 

Dundee City: “Bin app makes a huge difference to me. Love it. Thanks for creating it.” 

For Councils: Efficiency and Engagement 

Councils are finding immense value in the MyBins App through: 

Improved Communication: Push notifications and updates ensure residents stay informed about changes in waste schedules. 

Data Insights: Gain valuable insights into waste habits to inform future services. 

Scalable Solutions: Customisable backend options allow councils to integrate their unique waste management needs. 

Council Success: South Ayrshire Council representatives have highlighted the app’s continuous development and its role in building strong working relationships with their team, ensuring enhanced waste services for residents. 

Key Benefits 

Simplified Waste Management: Clear instructions on what goes where, reducing contamination rates. 

Sustainability at Scale: Encourages better recycling habits, lowering landfill contributions. 

Tailored Features for Growth: Upcoming opportunities include bar code scanning for recycling and integrating Digital Deposit Return Schemes. 

Join the Revolution 

Whether you’re a resident or council, this app is your gateway to better, more sustainable waste practices. 

If you’re in South Ayrshire or Dundee City, download the MyBins App now and see the difference it makes – available on Apple App Store and Google Play Store. 

Click here to learn more about the MyBins App  

For any enquiries, please email: mia@albion-environmental.co.uk 

The Big Plastic Count: What Happened at the Global Plastics Treaty Negotiations and What’s Next?

Albion Environmental News, Conferences and events, Environmental Management Systems, Health and Safety, Recycling, Regulations, Sustainability, Uncategorized, Waste Analysis, Waste Management, Zero Waste Scotland

At Albion Environmental, we are committed to helping tackle the global plastic pollution crisis, and as part of this mission, we are following the latest developments surrounding the Global Plastics Treaty negotiations. Last week, world leaders gathered for the fifth round of talks in Busan, South Korea, and the outcome was a mix of challenges and hope for stronger action on plastic pollution. 

 

The Key Takeaways: What Happened at the Negotiations? 

 

While the outcome of the talks was not as conclusive as many hoped, there was progress. The negotiations aimed to finalise the details of a Global Plastics Treaty, but governments were unable to agree on a final text. The sticking point? Plastic reduction targets. 

Here is the positive news: many countries, including the UK, refused to accept a weak agreement that would fail to address the root cause of plastic pollution. Over 100 countries now agree that the Treaty must include specific targets to reduce plastic production and consumption. This is a major victory in the fight against plastic pollution. Governments like the UK held firm and pushed back against the plastics and fossil fuel industries, who lobbied hard to keep plastic production high. 

The negotiations are far from over. In fact, this will set the stage for more intense discussions when talks resume in 2025. The momentum we have built over the past year, including the support from campaigns like The Big Plastic Count, is stronger than ever. We can look forward to pushing for a much stronger agreement that holds governments accountable for meaningful reductions in plastic production. 

 

The Lobbying Pressure 

 

While we celebrate this success, it is clear that the fight is far from over. The presence of the plastics and fossil fuel industries in Busan was undeniable – more than 220 lobbyists from these industries were on the ground, outnumbering the entire European delegation! These powerful groups will continue to try to weaken the treaty, pressuring world leaders to back away from serious reductions in plastic production. 

That is why it is essential to maintain our pressure on governments to prioritize the environment over industry interests. This means continuing to demand action on reducing single use plastics and ensuring that the voices of the millions of people around the world who care about the planet are heard loud and clear, especially in the face of such intense lobbying. 

 

Greenpeace’s Bold Action 

 

One of the highlights of the week was not just the negotiations in the conference rooms, but the bold actions taking place outside of them. Greenpeace activists took direct action against a tanker loading toxic plastic chemicals, sending a powerful message to world leaders. Among the activists was Alex from the UK, who explained their motivation: 

“We are taking direct action here today – stopping this plastic shipment – to urge world leaders to listen to the voices of the millions of people around the world, along with scientists and businesses – who are demanding they cut plastic production to stop plastic pollution.” 

This dramatic demonstration was just one of the many ways the public and environmental groups are making their voices heard. Whether it is through direct action, signing petitions, or taking part in initiatives like The Big Plastic Count, we all play a part in making plastic reduction a priority. 

 

What’s Next for The Big Plastic Count? 

 

With the negotiations set to resume in 2025, it is clear that the work is far from done. But The Big Plastic Count and the growing global movement against plastic pollution are more important than ever. The pressure we have applied so far has helped secure a stronger position in the negotiations, but we need to keep pushing for real change. 

At Albion Environmental, we will continue to monitor these negotiations and stand alongside campaigns like The Big Plastic Count to advocate for stronger plastic reduction targets and policies. We encourage everyone to stay involved, stay informed, and keep the pressure on governments to secure a Global Plastics Treaty that truly addresses the scale of the plastic crisis. 

Achieving Accreditation Success: A Case Study with Restructa

Albion Environmental News, Environmental Management Systems, Health and Safety, Recycling, Sustainability, Uncategorized, Waste Analysis, Waste Management, Zero Waste Scotland

Introduction 

At Albion Environmental Ltd we are dedicated to helping businesses excel in environmental management and health and safety practices. We are proud to share a recent success story with Restructa, a leader in waste television and display screen recycling, who has achieved ISO9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 accreditation with the help of our consultancy services. 

The Challenge with Restructa’ s ongoing success and continuing growth, they realised the need for expert guidance to successfully re-accredit to BSI’s rigorous standards. With the accreditation process approaching, they sought our support to help them navigate this critical period. 

 

Our Approach 

To ensure Restructa’s success, we provided comprehensive HSEQ cover and implemented a structured support plan that included: 

  • Weekly Preparation Meetings: We held regular meetings with Restructa’s team to outline steps and establish clear objectives for achieving accreditation. 
  • Internal Audits: Our team conducted thorough internal audits to identify areas of improvement and ensure compliance with ISO standards. 
  • Auditor Engagement: We were in attendance throughout the BSi assessment process ensuring that all necessary documentation and processes were in place for a smooth evaluation. 

 

The Result 

As a result of our collaborative efforts, Restructa achieved ISO 9001 accreditation in July and has now been recommended for ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 accreditation. This accomplishment not only underscores their commitment to quality, environmental sustainability and occupational health and safety but also positions them as a trusted business in the recycling industry. 

 

Conclusion 

At Albion, we pride ourselves on delivering tailored consultancy services that empower businesses to achieve their goals. Whether you need HSEQ cover, preparation for accreditation, or guidance through internal audits, our experienced team is here to support you. 

 

If you are looking to enhance your quality, environmental management and health and safety practices, contact us today to learn how we can assist you in achieving your accreditation goals! 

Email: Andrew@albion-environmental.co.uk 

Telephone: 01292 610428

Trans-Frontier Shipment (TFS)

Albion Environmental News, Environmental Monitoring, Health and Safety, Waste Management

Economic growth and globalisation have led to a worldwide increase of waste transports across borders.  

Whether this happens by road, rail, sea or air, waste shipments can create risks for human health and the environment and therefore these are regulated activities.  

As a result, waste or recycling materials cannot go anywhere without approved Trans-Frontier Shipment (TFS) documentation in place.  

If you are involved in the import or export of waste from or into the UK, you need to be aware that shipments of waste are subject to a range of regulatory controls. 

The Basel Convention of 1989 established worldwide notification requirements for the movement of hazardous waste and requires those involved to minimise the generation of such waste and to ensure its environmentally sound management.  

 

Regulations  

Regulations governing TFS is implemented in the UK by the Trans-frontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007.  

TFS regulations control the movement of green list waste (including recyclable materials) and amber list waste (waste requiring control procedures) across borders.  

The UK’s TFS regulations state all waste exports must be accompanied by documentation outlining the origin, destination and contents of the shipment.  The regulations relate to waste which can legally be shipped for recovery. 

Regulations further state that responsibility is shared between producers, importers, brokers and processors, covering the journey from the point of loading to disposal or end of waste status at a regulator approved final destination. 

It is basically a legal Duty of Care to ensure your waste is handled safely and in an environmentally sound manner. 

 

What do you need to have in place before you can go-ahead?  

  • The notifier must first determine if the material is a ‘Green List Waste (a category that is gradually being minimised).  
  • If not a Green List waste, then notification controls must be followed.  
  • Written agreement must be sought from regulators of countries of dispatch, transit and receipt.  
  • Notifiers for a TFS are responsible for paying for the application as well as a requirement to put a Financial Guarantee in place to ensure that funds are available to repatriate the waste should the shipment not be completed.  

Other essential requirements include:  

  • ensuring the competent authority of dispatch has been notified in accordance with Article 4 
  • the movement document has been completed in accordance with Article 16 or sent to the competent authorities concerned and the consignee in accordance with Article 16(b).   

 

These requirements are not only complex but take a considerable amount of time to comply with all regulations monitored by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) in Scotland and the Environment Agency (EA) south of the border.   

Our experienced team is fully equipped to manage this. We can provide comprehensive support to help you prepare your TFS application documentation, ensuring that all waste exports are properly documented with details about their origin, destination, and contents. 

 

Contact Ruben today to discuss your TFS application requirements: 

Telephone: 01292 610 428 

Email: ruben@albion-environmental.co.uk  

 

Upcoming Webinar: Targeted Waste Composition Analysis (WCA)

Albion Environmental News, Environmental Monitoring, Health and Safety, Waste Management

How Can Waste Composition Analysis Help Your Business?

 

Date: Thursday, 12th September 2024
Time: 10:00am – 11:30am
Location: Online Webinar

 

Overview:

 

Albion invites you to join our upcoming webinar, where we will delve deep into Waste Composition Analysis (WCA). This webinar is designed to show how focusing on specific waste streams can be a game-changer for your business, helping you achieve your sustainability goals more effectively.

 

Key Takeaways:

 

  • Cost-Effectiveness: Learn how targeting the most impactful waste streams can significantly reduce operational costs.
  • Efficiency: Discover streamlined decision-making processes that enable faster implementation of waste management solutions.
  • Detailed Insights: Obtain actionable data that helps you pinpoint problem areas and customise interventions to address them effectively.
  • Practical Implementation: Explore how to easily engage stakeholders and develop policies with immediate benefits, ensuring a smoother path to zero waste.
  • Flexibility & Adaptability: Understand how to adjust your strategy in response to emerging needs, new regulations, or evolving business goals.
  • Industry-Specific Benefits: Optimise your processes, enhance purchasing decisions, and customise recycling programs to reduce costs and increase efficiency.

 

Who Should Attend?

 

This webinar is ideal for:

  • Local Authorities waste managers
  • Facilities Mangers or others responsible for waste and resource management
  • NHS Waste managers
  • Sustainability Managers

 

If you’re responsible for waste management or sustainability in your organisation, this session will provide you with the tools and insights needed to lead the way in sustainable waste management.

 

Why Attend?

 

If eco-friendly waste solutions are your goal, attending this webinar is a crucial step toward adopting sustainable practices that not only provide immediate benefits but also ensure long-term success. Albion’s expertise will guide you through the complexities of waste management, offering practical solutions that you can implement straight away.

 

Click Here Register Now!

 

Don’t miss out on this opportunity to enhance your waste management strategy. Reserve your spot today and lead the change toward a more sustainable future.

 

If you would like any more information, please get in touch with us:

Call us: 01292 610428

Email us: janebond@albion-environmental.co.uk