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Council recycling project is named best in UK
18/11/2008
A city project that reuses, repairs and recycles damaged fridges, washing machines and other white goods that are then sold back into the community has been named the best in the UK.
Peterborough City Council's Electrical Appliance Recycling Project (EARP) which is a partnership between Peterborough City Council, Indesit Company and other key organisations was awarded the prestigious Electrical and Electronic Recycler of the Year and was shortlisted for the Best Partnership Project for Recycling at the National Recycling Awards 2008 at the Telford International Centre.
The aim of the project is to increase the city's recycling rates, encouraging regeneration of used electrical goods and providing a supply of affordable electrical appliances back into the community. Used or damaged white goods and computers are recycled either by repairing the items where possible or dismantling them and recycling the individual components.
Councillor Wayne Fitzgerald, cabinet member for environment, said: "To win this award is fantastic news and a testament to how the people of Peterborough have embraced this initiative since its inception in November 2004. The partnership between the city council and Indesit Company has created a unique project that increases our recycling rates and helps boost the city’s green credentials."
Cabinet member for city services Councillor David Sanders, added: "The city council's Electrical Appliance Recycling Project contributes to the local economy and the environment. Winning the award is a tribute to the hard work and commitment staff has demonstrated towards this project and it illustrates how, by working in partnership, we have been able to successfully earn an accolade to be very proud of."
Lee Cumberland, Re-work Manager at Indesit Company, said: "Indesit Company see the commercial benefits of reworking and reusing returned products and our partnership with Peterborough City Council has been recognised by beating off tough competition to secure the award. Together, we believe we are the largest and most successful re-use operation for large white goods in the UK. Indesit Company supports the local community through Peterborough City Council's WEEE Reuse facility, which in turn deals direct with over 70 organisations whose aim is to improve the quality of life of under privileged people."
EARP is based at the Global Business Centre, off Newark Road, Fengate, Peterborough and has been developed in light of The European Union Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive. Its aim is to stop this waste being buried in landfill sites by making manufacturers and retailers responsible for recycling it.
The scheme has helped over 400 people in the last two years, through developing practical repair skills in low-skilled workers, which is a social element the competition judges were looking for.
Since 2007, Peterborough City Council has managed to provide more than 1,850 products donated by Indesit Company to those in need. The operation recovers more than 7,000 appliances a month.
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