Major London retrofit project • UK recycling rates marginally increased in 2022 • UK waste processing plant in £100 million capital raise • Read more about the developments in sustainable heating and cooling in this month's news update from the UK
SSE, one of the UK’s largest energy companies, has recently announced plans to help decarbonize 5,000 homes in a major retrofit project in London. The project is aimed at improving energy efficiency and reducing carbon emissions in the city, and is set to be one of the largest of its kind in Europe.
According to a recent article on Premier Construction News, the project will involve retrofitting homes in the London boroughs of Brent and Harrow with a range of energy-saving measures, including insulation, efficient heating systems, and renewable energy technologies such as solar panels. The aim of the project is to significantly reduce carbon emissions from the homes, and to help the UK meet its ambitious targets for net-zero emissions by 2050. It is estimated that the retrofitting work will save around 17,000 tonnes of carbon emissions each year, equivalent to taking 3,500 cars off the road.
The project is a collaboration between SSE, Brent Council, and Harrow Council, and is being funded by the government’s Green Homes Grant scheme. The scheme provides funding for energy-saving improvements to homes, and is part of the government’s wider efforts to tackle climate change and promote sustainable living. In addition to the environmental benefits of the project, it is also expected to bring significant economic benefits to the local area. The retrofitting work is set to create hundreds of jobs, and will help to improve the quality of life for residents by making their homes more comfortable and energy-efficient.
Overall, the SSE retrofit project is a positive step towards a more sustainable future, and demonstrates the importance of collaborative efforts between government, businesses, and local communities in tackling climate change. By investing in energy-efficient technologies and promoting sustainable living, we can all play a part in creating a cleaner, greener future for ourselves and future generations.
Read more in article from Premier Construction News
The latest figures for recycling rates in England have been released, and they show a marginal increase of just 0.1% from the previous year. While any increase is a step in the right direction, it is clear that more needs to be done to achieve the UK government’s target of a 65% recycling rate by 2035.
According to a recent article on Let’s Recycle, the recycling rate for England in 2020 was 45.5%, up from 45.4% in 2019. While this may seem like a small increase, it is a positive sign that efforts to improve recycling rates are having some effect. The increase can be attributed to several factors, including increased public awareness of the importance of recycling, improvements in recycling infrastructure, and the introduction of new recycling initiatives by local authorities.
However, despite this marginal increase, England still lags behind many other countries in Europe when it comes to recycling rates. For example, Germany has a recycling rate of around 68%, while Slovenia and Austria both have rates of over 60%. There is clearly still much work to be done to improve recycling rates in England, and it is vital that local authorities and the government continue to invest in recycling infrastructure and education. Initiatives such as the recently announced Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, which will require producers to pay the full cost of recycling their products, will also play a crucial role in driving up recycling rates.
In conclusion, while the marginal increase in recycling rates in England is a positive sign, there is still much work to be done to achieve the government’s ambitious targets. By continuing to invest in recycling infrastructure and education, and by taking individual action to reduce waste, we can all play a part in creating a more sustainable future.
Read more at Let’s Recycle’s webpage
A UK-based recycling start-up backed by private equity (PE) is seeking to raise £100m to develop a new waste processing plant. According to an article on The Business Desk, the company, which has not been named, is planning to build the facility in the north of England and is looking for funding from institutional investors.
The plant will use innovative technology to process a wide range of waste streams, including plastics, metals, and organic waste, and will be capable of producing high-quality recycled materials and fuels that can be sold to manufacturers. This also includes the Terrae Novo process, where the waste is made into synthetic gas, and subsequently broken down into hydrocarbon molecules.
According to the article, the company has already secured a site for the plant and is in discussions with local authorities and other stakeholders about the project. The funding round is expected to take place later this year, with the aim of beginning construction in 2024 and completing the plant in 2026. The news comes amid growing interest in sustainable waste management solutions, as countries around the world seek to reduce their environmental impact and move towards a more circular economy. With the UK government recently announcing plans to introduce new legislation on waste and recycling, there is likely to be increased demand for innovative recycling technologies and facilities in the coming years.
Overall, the proposed waste processing plant represents a positive step towards a more sustainable future, and highlights the potential for private investment to drive innovation and progress in the waste management sector. By supporting start-ups and businesses that are committed to reducing waste and promoting sustainability, we can all play a part in creating a cleaner, greener world.
Read more in article from The Business Desk
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