ADVICE IS NOT A WASTE OF SPACE OR MONEY

A Newcastle recycling expert has set up a waste consultancy amid rising levels of Government red tape. Chris Butters has set up Waste Reduction and Recycling, which helps companies to deal with things like hazardous waste, recycling and confidential waste destruction, to help them stay ahead of a host of new regulations. Mr Butters said many businesses are not aware of European landfill directives which limit levels of waste and the materials that can be sent to landfill, to encourage more recycling.

He said: "Over the last few years the waste industry has changed dramatically, with more rules and regulations coming into force with what people can and can't do with their waste.

He added: "So many types of waste now come under the special or hazardous waste terms, from your old florescent tubes to a used paint tin. As a waste producer you have a responsibility to dispose of your waste in the correct manor. I can help customers recycle products that they might not know could be recycled, and advise them of other disposal routes."

Waste Reduction and Recycling will offer advice on the landfill of non-recyclable products, and ways of recycling waste such as cardboard, plastics, wood and metals. It also offers skip hire throughout the country.

Mr Butters, aged 25, decided to set up the Beechwood Close company after seeing a rising tide of European environmental legislation. He was previously operations manager at skip firm Tidysite Skip Services, in Newcastle. Companies are having to come in line with the EU Landfill Directive, which aims to cut the amount of landfill created in the UK by 25 per cent by 2010, and 50 per cent by 2013.

Meanwhile, the End of Life Vehicle Directive puts greater onus on vehicle manufacturers to deal with scrapped cars, and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Directive puts greater regulation on disposing of office equipment.

Mr Butters said: "A lot of companies still don't recycle at the workplace, and with landfill sites filling up and running out as fast as they are, we have got to start sending more and more to be recycled."

Article - The Sentinel, Graeme Brown - 25 September 2006