Bradford Waste Forum

Creating Opportunities from Waste

LOCAL NEWS…

New Venture takes off in North Bradford

Congratulations to Aire Valley Recycling

on their launch held on 7th March 2005. After much hard work and extensive business planning the project was successful in being awarded a £300,000 grant from the CRED Programme. This, in addition to smaller grants from the Community Life Fund and Wyselink has enabled the new social enterprise to establish itself and provide a weekly kerbside recycling service for 10,000 households in Haworth, Oakworth, Oxenhope and South Keighley.

These lucky households can now recycle plastic bottles, glass, cans, paper and textiles in a convenient box scheme. The materials are separated during collection and sold on to recyclers. The project also receives an income in the form of recycling credits from Bradford Council.

Unfortunately, the project struggled to find premises within the district as originally planned, but has now teamed up with a similar organisation based in Calderdale. AVR now shares their premises at Mytholmroyd.

"We are now into our second month of collections and are delighted at the excellent response from the recycling public. In some areas we are experiencing 90% take up" Said Richard Topham, AVR's General Manager.

Richard acknowledged the invaluable support of Wyselink and the CRED Business Support Team and explained

longer term hopes to work with Bradford Council to expand the service to other areas and increase the range of materials being collected. He is also currently looking for funding for an additional vehicle to handle the challenges of the more rural rounds. Any ideas?

AVR can be contacted on 01422 885155 or email: AVR@hotmail.co.uk

Bradford's Little Green Recycling Guide

Copies of the original publication, which included waste facts, hints for reducing waste and guide to local recycling services have now been exhausted. Work has begun on an update. Hopefully this should be complete during summer 2005.If your organisation wants to be included in this guide to local recycling services please let me know at the address below.Emma Hill beat.landfilltax@virgin.net

Nappy News from Bradford Real Nappy Project

The project has recently been successful in being awarded funding totalling £120,000. This funding package is made up of £28K from DEFRA's Waste Partnership Fund and £96K from another source we have been requested not to name until the project has signed a formal contract.These funds will allow the project to continue and extend its work until Dec 07. To date the project has been focusing its activity on the more disadvantaged parts of the district, largely due to its NRF funding. The new funds will, however allow the project greater freedom to cover all areas of the district.

Cathy Henwood - project manager explained her relief that the pressure fund raising had gone so she can now focus all of her attention on the project itself.

Low Cost Nappy Trial Kits

Were launched by the project in December 2004. This allows parents to try a small range of modern, re-useable nappies at much reduced cost. A larger range of low cost nappies is also available to parents on enefits. Although large savings of at least £600 can be made per child by using washable nappies the initial capital outlay of nappy purchase can put people off. This scheme hopes to overcome this hurdle and give people the chance to try the nappies at low cost before investing further.

Nappy Train embarks!

Ruth Weston has also been successful in being awarded funding to kick start the nappy laundry service so eagerly awaited. She is now looking for special customers to take part in a pilot service. The service will provide a bin, 50 or so clean nappies and a weekly collection service for £8.95 per week. Airedale Hospital Laundry will launder the nappies to hospital standards.Nappy Train is also starting to retail an extensive range of modern, washable nappies for people to wash at home.

Contact: The Nappy Train on 0845 230 1381 or email: nappies@aquabirths.co.uk

REAL NAPPY WEEK EVENT

TEDDY BEARS PICNIC IN THE PARK

A baby and pre school summer fun event.

Thursday 23rd June 12.30 - 3.00pm

Lots of baby and toddler activities, free lunch, information stalls and much more!