BRIEF NEWS: Straight plc Distribution Deal With Stewart; GMWDA Focus On WEEE; And More

13 December 2011

Straight plc Distribution Deal With Stewart; GMWDA Focus On WEEE; Bpi.Recycled Products Celebrates Award Success

Straight plc Distribution Deal With Stewart

Straight plc, the environmental products and services group and the UK's leading manufacturer and supplier of waste and recycling container solutions, is pleased to announce that it has agreed a deal whereby Stewart, the leading UK garden products brand, will become the UK garden centre distributor for Straight's Harcostar range of water butts and accessories.

The deal, which is exclusive for an initial period of two years, will see the Harcostar range marketed to Stewart's extensive distribution network, which reaches over 1,000 UK garden centres. The range will also be featured in the Stewart's 2012 Buyers Guide.

The Harcostar brand was established in the 1960s and was acquired by Straight in 2009. The range includes premium barrel-shaped water butts as well as a wide range of accessories to fit both existing Harcostar products and also other manufacturers' containers.　

Jonathan Straight, Chief Executive at Straight plc said: "Stewart has an excellent reputation in the market and we believe is a natural fit to distribute the Harcostar range of products.　 Harcostar is a very strong brand and we look forward to working with Stewart to see this offered to a broader customer base."　

Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority's (GMWDA) £53,000 Community Fund will support community organisations that share their ambition of "Zero Waste to landfill" and help deliver the 3Rs- Reduce, Re-use and Recycle across Greater Manchester.

This round of the community waste fund will focus on Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE). These WEEE items (large and small), should not be ending up in the general rubbish bin, and should instead be recycled, or better still, re-used!

Research has found that approximately 6,000 tonnes of small electrical items, e.g. hairdryers, portable radios, toasters are disposed of in household bins across Greater Manchester. We would like community organisations to come forward with ideas to help take the WEEE little and big items out of the general rubbish and back into our lives, either fixed, or reprocessed into another gadget.

TV's, computers, washing machines, cookers, irons, radios, even electric toothbrushes……… the list goes on. We want to support community groups who will reduce this WEEE problem; therefore, applications for projects that will increase the amount re-used and recycled will be prioritised. However, this does not mean that other waste and recycling related projects won't be considered.

bpi.recycled products is celebrating its success after being named Best Environmental Business at the Pride in Your Place Awards. Organised by Caerphilly Borough Council, these awards aim to recognise the innovation and commitment of groups and individuals helping to improve the environment in the local area.

bpi.recycled products received the award as a result of its commitment to introducing greener practices at its Rhymney, South Wales, factory. The site produces many of its products from recycled waste polythene and recycles over 11,000 tonnes of material each year.

Specifically, the manufacturer has invested in robust waste stream management practices designed to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill. It has also been working closely with local schools to educate children on the benefits and importance of recycling as part of the Rhymney First Communities Partnership

Speaking of the award, Steve Harris, manager of the Rhymney factory, said: "As a business, bpi.recycled products is fully committed to not only reducing our own environmental impact but also to encouraging waste reduction and recycling in the wider community. Our recent success at the Pride in Your Place Awards is a fantastic achievement and should be seen as a real testament to this commitment and to the hard work of the bpi.recycled products team."