No cash? No problem as technology helps Northumberland go greener

Nov 18 2008 by Francesca Craggs, The Journal

A NEW easy–pay system at waste disposal sites is making it even more convenient for businesses in Northumberland to go green.

Thanks to a new credit card facility at the transfer stations in Berwick, Alnwick and Hexham, companies can now turn up, pay and deposit their waste quickly and easily. The system is a first for waste sites in the county.

The stations are curing a major waste disposal headache for businesses and the new flexible way to pay is ensuring it has never been simpler for local companies to get rid of their waste in an environmentally friendly way.

The waste transfer stations, which are operated by North East waste management and recycling company Sita UK, help traders and commercial outfits dispose of cardboard, cans, plastic bottles and paper and other general waste for a small charge.

The sites not only help the county stay green by discouraging fly-tipping, the facilities are also helping businesses to meet new pre-treatment aspect of business waste legislation.

The Hexham station is a welcome addition to the area, according to regular user Mike Storey of Cooler Recycling in Haltwhistle, who said: “Having the site on our doorstep is very useful. Before it opened we had to travel to Newcastle so we’re reducing our carbon footprint in more ways than one and the new flexible way to pay is very convenient.”

The credit card facility is already proving popular, according to Richard Hinchcliffe, general manager of Sita UK: “We’re offering a valuable service to local businesses but we are also aware that to encourage use we need to ensure that the process is as hassle-free as possible, which is why we’ve introduced the credit card system. The feedback we’ve had suggests it’s making life easier for businesses.”

Paul Jones, head of waste management for Northumberland County Council, welcomed the new payment process.

He said: “Small businesses and self- employed people often find it difficult and expensive to recycle or dispose of the commercial waste generated by their business activities, especially if they can’t use local authority trade waste collection services as they don’t have a business premises.

“The introduction of any new system which makes it easier for companies in the county to dispose of their waste responsibly is therefore very welcome and will contribute to the county surpassing its recycling targets and strengthening its position as one of the greenest counties in the UK.”

Sita UK is the waste management specialist chosen by Northumberland County Council as its partner for its long-term private finance initiative contract for waste services. This contract is backed by £40.8m of Government funding and involves a total investment of £90m for essential new and improved facilities across the county.

Sita and the county council have ambitious targets to see 40% of the county’s household waste recycled by 2010. This will make Northumberland one of the greenest counties for waste management in the UK.