1. Straight awarded £1.7 million supplier contract

Waste and recycling solution provider, Straight plc, has been awarded a £1.7 million contract by Dumfries and Galloway Council to support the Council’s ‘maiden kerbside recycling initiative’.

As part of the service, Straight will provide the council with seven and 23-litre food waste kitchen caddies, 55 litre boxes for the collection of mixed glass, metals and plastics and 44 litre boxes for the collection of paper and card.

CEO of Straight, Jonathan Straight, said: “We are delighted to have been chosen to support the Council on its first ever kerbside recycling initiative. The contract win is testament to our recycling expertise and hardwearing products that have been tested across UK Local Authorities over many years.”

The Council’s Service Manager for the Environment, Greig Blayney, added: “Previously, all residual waste has been collected using wheeled bins, but with our new service encompassing three separate products, we are confident the process will be smooth and successful."

2. Aylesbury Vale waste contracts streamlined

Waste management company SITA UK and grounds maintenance specialist, John O’Connor, have signed a new ‘integrated contract arrangement’ for waste management and street cleaning services with Aylesbury Vale District Council.

The new, streamlined contract sees the two companies merge their two existing contracts into one, in a move expected to bring the council annual savings in the region of £180,000 and deliver ‘improved services’.

Assistant General Manager at SITA UK, Dave Swire, said: “We are absolutely delighted to have secured the new integrated contract with Aylesbury Vale District Council.

“We look forward to continuing this partnership and working with John O’Conner to maintain and improve the streets and Council-owned parks in the district.”

Cabinet Member for Leisure, Councillor David Thompson, said: “This is one of Aylesbury Vale’s most important contracts that will ensure we continue to deliver the absolute best service to our residents, while also achieving the best possible value for our rate payers.”

3. Winner of sustainable fashion competition to launch collection

The British Fashion Council (BFC) has announced that the winner of the Estethica/Veolia Re-source competition, Liora Lassalle, will launch her first collection at the Estethica Exhibition at this month’s London Fashion Week.

The competition aims to identify students from Central Saint Martins (CSM) and encourage them to ‘creative and sustainable solutions in fashion’.

Liora, with support from a Veolia sponsored mentoring programme, has produced an upcycled capsule collection – a small collection of high-end clothes – made from recycled garments.

CEO of the BFC, Caroline Rush, said: ”Liora Lassalle’s upcycling collection is the first collection commissioned by Estethica to a BA graduate from CSM with support from Veolia. Liora’s debut collection launches a new phase for the Estethica mentoring scheme and for its support to designers to develop sustainable solutions.”

4. Remsol moves to Preston docks

Waste management company specialising in 'prevention-led' waste services, Remsol, is expanding into new premises in Preston following a 'sustained period of growth'.

The company is set to double its workforce and as such has 'outgrown' its Penwortham headquarters. It will now move to Preston docks for the next phase of its expansion.

Managing director Lee Petts said: "We've never been afraid to grow or to invest when we felt it was the right time and this is just the next exciting phase in the development of this company. Hopefully it will open up many more opportunities in the future, and we're looking forward to being able to make the most of them."

5. 2014 Ryder Cup contract procurement portal launched

It has been announced that Ryder Cup Europe has launched its ‘official procurement portal’, enabling businesses to tender for 2014 Ryder Cup supplier contracts.

This is the first time ‘a series of private contracts will be available through a public sector portal’ and could see as many as 5,000 people provide services, including waste management.

The portal will be updated gradually, with contracts being awarded over the next 18 months.

Match Director for the 2014 Ryder Cup, Edward Kitson, said: “The Ryder Cup is one of the world’s most prestigious events and we are looking for suppliers whose products and services will enable us to create a truly memorable occasion at Gleneagles in 2014.”

The next Ryder Cup, a biennial golf tournament between teams from Europe and the United States, is to be held between 26-28 September 2014.