Project Integra - Press Release - Hampshire Leads the Way



	HAMPSHIRE'S RECYCLED GLASS EXPORTED TO SPAIN 19 July 2005 Green glass from 30 million empty plonk bottles has been exported from Southampton to Seville, Spain for remelting into new wine bottles. The green glass has come from all over Hampshire and neighbouring counties for processing at Southampton Docks before loading onto bulk ships for transport. The Recresco family business run plant at Southampton Docks came about because Hampshire local Authorities work togther in partnership. “If the 14 councils in Hampshire had come to us separately I could have just given them a price to buy recycled glass” said Tim Gent, MD of Recresco. “When they came together as Project Integra and asked us what we could do in Hampshire, we said we could build a processing plant here in Southampton” The site has two big advantages, firstly it has optical sorting equipment which can process glass to a high standard, removing impurities. Secondly, being on the quayside, material can easily be transported by ship. A 2,000 Tonne shipload avoids around 100 long lorry trips. “There have been alarming reports of a surplus of green glass in the UK* “ said Steve Read, Executive Officer for Project Integra. “We can reassure Hampshire residents that their glass is very much in demand. If you think about it, most food and drink manufactured in the UK comes in clear or brown glass. Clear glass is used to manufacture bottles and jars in the UK. On the other hand, we import a lot of beer and wine in green glass from the continent and the “new world” wine producers. Shipping the recycled glass back to Spain closes the loop. While it may seem a long way to take this material, the energy used in shipping and remelting the glass is less than would be needed to make glass from its raw material, sand. As the price of oil increases, the cost of energy becomes even more important”. Steve Read continued “ In recent years there have also been many new uses for recycled glass. A lot of green glass is now used as a substitute for rock chippings in road building and a further 2000 Tonnes of recycled glass will shortly be shipped from from Southampton to Scandanavia to make glass fibre”. ENDS Notes to Editors * Daily Telegraph 18th July 2005 (p10) Last year Hampshire residents recycled 28% of household waste through the Project Integra partnership. This is well above the UK average (17%). Project Integra aims to recycle 50% by 2010. Glass is one of the most environmentally beneficial materials to recycle. The income from the sale of glass and other materials in Hampshire does not cover the whole cost of collection and processing, however the cost of rubbish disposal is rising fast. The Recycle for Hampshire campaign (www.recycleforhampshire.org.uk) is encouraging everyone to do their bit both to keep Council tax down and to help the environment. Contact Steve Read Executive Officer, Project Integra c/o The Old College College Street Petersfield GU31 4AG Tel 01730 235806, fax 01730 263622, mobile 07836 544686 19 July 2005

	About Project Integra \| Waste Facts \| Recycling in Hampshire Contacts and Links \| Search Site Contents © 2000 Project Integra Contents correct at date of publication Web Design by Alchemy Digital

Contact