The controversial landfill site in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Staffordshire, has entered liquidation after being ordered to close last year.
The Environment Agency ordered Walleys Quarry landfill to close after years of complaints from residents over foul-smelling odours.
The regulator said it concluded that the management of Walleys Quarry is poor and that further operation of the site may result in significant, long-term pollution.
Walleys Quarry has been subject to numerous complaints over foul-smelling odours for more than a decade.
Walleys Quarry was required to stop accepting waste and take measures to prevent landfill gas emissions from affecting the local community.
The Environment Agency said it has been informed that Walleys Quarry has entered Liquidation and it has no effect on the existence of WQL or the Environmental Permit.
The regulator said that the liquidators are also bound by “any statutory notices in relation to it that may have been issued”.
Simon Tagg, Leader of Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, said: “I am hugely disappointed but not at all surprised that Walleys Quarry Ltd, a company making what I understand was a substantial income, has not remained to honour its obligations to fully cap off and restore the landfill.
“We understand residents will be concerned by this news and while the Environment Agency remains the lead regulator of this site, and will now need to take control, we will offer both the EA and liquidator any support we can within our powers to keep this landfill under control.”
News updates written by CIWM’s commercial partners.
Bucher Municipal | Bucher Municipal Purchases Land in Dorking, Surrey, for Long-Term Growth and Sustainable Innovation
Bucher Municipal is pleased to announce the acquisition of a significant piece of land from Mole Valley District Council in Dorking, Surrey, UK.
Having celebrated the 100th year on the Curtis Road site last year, this strategic purchase marks a key milestone in securing the future of Bucher Municipal’s operations at the Dorking site, enabling further investment, expansion, and technological advancement.
With the secured land, Bucher Municipal is committed to developing state-of-the-art facilities that will support the introduction of cutting-edge technologies. This investment not only strengthens the company’s presence in the local area but also underscores its dedication to sustainable growth.
By developing the site, Bucher Municipal expects to achieve significant CO2 savings compared to the existing buildings, aligning with its long-term environmental goals.
“We are excited about this acquisition, which represents a pivotal step in ensuring the future of our Dorking site and our continued innovation in the industry,” said Martin Starkey, Managing Director. “This purchase allows us to invest in new facilities, technologies, enhance efficiency, and continue to secure our role in the local economy.”
Bucher Municipal looks forward to working closely with local stakeholders as it embarks on this new chapter of growth and sustainability.
Fleetclear | Cardiff Council makes ‘easy transition’ to Fleetclear Connect
Cardiff Council is consolidating information from its vehicle technology using the Fleetclear Connect platform, which will provide quicker access to vehicle footage and data, and simplify the process of analysis and reporting.
Matt Long, Depot & Infrastructure Manager, Cardiff Council explains: “We are currently trialling 7 vehicles using Fleetclear Connect, which gathers all the data from our vehicle technology, in one place. Feedback from our supervisors is very positive. They find the system very user friendly with a simple, customisable format that means tracking vehicles and gathering valuable data about routes is effortless.
An end-to-end solution Fleetclear Connect brings together all vehicle safety hardware in one place, and combines it with GPS tracking, telematics, advanced data analysis and processing techniques. The system features easy reporting and administrative controls.
Matt commented: “The geofencing tool is invaluable and allows us to search for specific footage from a particular vehicle, in a specific location at a certain time of day, within minutes. We are keen to analyse footage to identify trends, to help us optimise our routes and deal with any issues proactively.”
Cardiff Council has been a customer for over 10 years with Fleetclear cameras fitted to over 90% of its fleet, totalling over 110 vehicles. Fleetclear has also installed camera technology to loading shovels and telehandlers being used at the council’s onsite waste transfer station and Materials Recycling Facility (MRF).
Matt added: “The team at Fleetclear are very diligent and exacting when developing new products and services. Everything is ultra tried and tested, and we are happy to evolve with their new product developments.”
A web-based fleet software system, Fleetclear Connect is a powerful management tool encompassing all aspects of vehicle and driver safety, operational efficiency, and compliance. Suitable for all vehicle types it provides a simplified, user-friendly way to manage vehicles and drivers.
All data is displayed on a dashboard and stored on Fleetclear’s cyber secure servers, where it can be accessed via the internet. Therefore, there are no issues regarding access to the council’s network; any authorised person can access the information they need.
Matt concluded: “Making the transition to Fleetclear Connect is easy as we know everything is on one system. Tracking is integrated and as we are managing thousands of collections each day it’s great to have just one number to call if there are any issues.”
Augean | enfinium and Augean extend strategic partnership to deliver ESG benefits
enfinium, one of the UK’s leading energy from waste (EfW) operators, which is also leading on decarbonisation plans, has entered into a multi-plant arrangement with Augean to collect and treat Air Pollution Control Residues (APCr) from three of its EfW plants.
Augean is the UK’s market leader in the treatment of APCr and has provided APCr collection and treatment services to enfinium since Parc Adfer and Kemsley EfW plants were commissioned.
The new arrangements range in contractual periods from 5 to 15 years and include enfinium’s Parc Adfer and Kemsley EfW plants, as well as enfinium’s proposed Kelvin EfW plant currently under construction in Sandwell, West Midlands.
APCr are residues extracted from EfW plants during their rigorous emissions control process. Augean treats more APCr than any other operator in the UK. The strategic partnership between enfinium and Augean drives best practice and innovation through the recovery of APCr, optimises APCr collection arrangements to reduce road miles and carbon emissions, encourages the use of green fuels, and steps-up on ESG reporting.
In 2023 and 2024 Augean was recognised as a Sector Lead globally in the waste treatment sector by GRESB. GRESB is an independent organisation that provides validated ESG performance data and peer benchmarks for investors and managers to improve business intelligence, industry engagement, and decision-making.
For enfinium, Jane Atkinson, Chief Operating Officer, commented, “Safe and sustainable operations are at the heart of our business. Our renewed partnership with Augean is an important foundation to our day-to-day business of ensuring that unrecyclable waste across the UK is diverted from landfill and used to produce homegrown energy.”
For Augean, Richard Brooke, Chief Executive Officer, commented “Augean is delighted to be selected by enfinium as a strategic partner, extending our APCr treatment services to enfinium’s fleet of EfW plants. We look forward to continuing to add value to enfinium by delivering operational efficiencies, reducing carbon and introducing other ESG initiatives.”
Keenan Recycling | Keenan continues to innovate, becoming the UK’s first waste company to have carbon emissions verified by BSI
Keenan Recycling, a leading provider of sustainable waste management solutions, proudly announces that its baseline greenhouse gas emissions inventory has been formally verified against the internationally recognised ISO 14064-1 standard by the British Standards Institution (BSI).
This achievement marks Keenan Recycling as the UK’s first waste recycling company to have carbon emissions verified by BSI.
The ISO 14064-1 verification by an accredited provider (BSI) validates Keenan Recycling’s robust and transparent approach to measuring and reporting its carbon emissions. This independently verified inventory establishes a reliable baseline against which the company’s Net Zero plan is built, providing a solid foundation for future emissions reduction efforts.
“Our carbon inventory provides the foundation for our carbon reduction planning,” said Fergus Healy, Head of Strategic Development & Net Zero at Keenan Recycling. “Having it verified against ISO 14064-1 by BSI is a significant step in ensuring our emissions reporting meets internationally recognised standards. This achievement further sets us apart in the industry and underlines our commitment to meet our SBTi targets through credible, science-backed sustainability initiatives.”
ISO 14064-1 is a globally recognised standard that provides a framework for organisations to quantify, monitor, and report greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
This verification validates Keenan Recycling’s robust approach to measuring and managing its greenhouse gas emissions, reinforcing the company’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and Net Zero leadership in the waste sector.
NWS | First rail deliveries mark milestone in final disposal of legacy radioactive waste
Major milestone underway as work begins to place new protective layer over historic trenches at the Low Level Waste Repository (LLWR) site in West Cumbria.
Nuclear Waste Services (NWS), which manages the disposal of the UK’s low level radioactive waste, is carrying out important work on the final capping of legacy disposal trenches and vaults to permanently dispose of radioactive waste.
Known as the southern trench interim membrane (STIM) project, this phase of the capping work involves placing a new membrane, or protective layer, over legacy disposal trenches which will remain in place for up to 100 years.
Working collaboratively with civil engineering firm GRAHAM and specialist transport and logistics provider Nuclear Transport Solutions (NTS) the first rail deliveries of 280,000 tonnes of aggregate arrived on site earlier this month and will be delivered over a three year period.
This is a significant achievement in Capping Operations and will lead to the final closure of the Repository which is currently expected in 2135.
STIM will replace a current interim membrane over part of the legacy disposal trenches. This layer will permenantly protect people and the environment while the radioactivity decays.
The first deliveries will arrive between February and March 2025, with eight deliveries expected each week.
Mike Pigott, Repository Site Director, NWS, said: “This is a first of a kind activity in the UK, and it’s fantastic to see the first train load of aggregate arrive by train onto our site.
“This work enables NWS to deliver a safe and secure long-term approach to protecting the environment and people for generations to come.
“Collaboration with Nuclear Transport Solutions’ rail division, Direct Rail Services (DRS), has played a pivotal role for us, with their launch of a new rail service for this project yielding significant environmental benefits.”
It’s first time DRS has used its JNA-Z box wagons, with each train making the journey from Shap quarry to the Repository to deliver over 750 tonnes of material – the equivalent of 36 HGVs.
Gottfried Eymer, NTS Rail Managing Director, said: “Rail is the obvious choice for bulk movements like these, taking many thousands of lorries off the road, reducing congestion, and improving the environment.”
This phase of the project will see 46,000 tonnes of aggregate delivered by 64 trains, saving an estimated 2,320 lorry journeys, that’s over 150,000 miles.
Last year, Civil Engineering firm GRAHAM was awarded a four-year contract for the works, which started in September.
Alastair Lewis, GRAHAM Contracts Director said: “It’s fantastic to see the start of rail deliveries to site, marking the beginning of an extensive program of works.
“We have been managing and carrying out aggregate train deliveries since 2018, and this experience has been invaluable in ensuring a smooth and efficient transition to this new phase of the project.”
NWS has been engaging with the local community with drop-in sessions and site tours to share more details about the work. Plans are in place to mitigate and minimise any associated noise, dust, traffic, ecological and visual impacts through the installation of noise barriers, visual screening bunds and regular noise monitoring of activities.
NWS and NTS are both part of the Nuclear Decommissioning Authority group. This is an example of how the NDA group model is facilitating collaboration across operating companies to manage the UK nuclear legacy safely, securely and sustainably.
Wood Recyclers’ Association | WRA calls for urgent clarity over future support for waste wood biomass
Richard Coulson, Chair of the WRA.
The Wood Recyclers’ Association has called for urgent clarity over future support for waste wood-powered biomass plants after the government acknowledged the important role that the technology has to play.
In a written statement published yesterday, Energy Minister Michael Shanks announced support for large-scale biomass plants, including Drax, to transition to carbon capture and storage technology – but excluded smaller-scale biomass plants, such as those fuelled by waste wood.
Richard Coulson, chair of the WRA, said: “Yesterday’s statement by the Energy Minister acknowledges the important role biomass has to play in our energy system both now and in the future.
“Unfortunately, the statement provides no clarity on when similar transitional support arrangements will be offered to biomass generators below the 100MW threshold.
“The UK has a fleet of regional biomass generators with the capacity to compliantly manage 3 million tonnes of our wood waste a year which might otherwise be exported or sent to landfill.
“When combined with the additional volume of other domestic residues which they recover such as poultry litter, then we realise a recovery capacity of 4.6 million tonnes of our own domestic waste. This resource is then recovered to produce 5.4TWh of secure, low carbon energy, sufficient for 1.5 million homes.
“The statement acknowledges that biomass generation helps ensure low carbon security of supply in an affordable manner. It also says that sustainability standards will be strengthened to help build confidence in the sector. The WRA welcomes this approach, as while our members do not have such sustainability concerns from only using our domestic residues as a fuel, for too long our sector has been tarnished with the same concerns and debate.
“Like large scale biomass generation, WRA biomass members provide low carbon energy security for the UK while also delivering in terms of sustainability and providing an essential environmental service. In handling millions of tonnes of residues each year, we also deliver greater value for money.
“It’s critical now that small scale biomass generators are supported with transitional support as they fall out of the RO from 2027.
“With this support, our members can transition to BECCS capturing around 4 million tonnes of carbon per year – equivalent to 17% of the government’s 2035 emissions reduction target.”
Advetec | JWitt gets green light from environment agency to help decarbonise region’s businesses
Radstock-based JWitt Waste Recycling has received its permit from the Environment Agency and has officially begun helping businesses across Bath, Bristol, Somerset and Mendip to reduce their carbon footprint by turning their non-recyclable waste into fuel.
The waste handler is working with biotechnology business Advetec to convert more than 3,600 tonnes of waste into Solid Recovered Fuel (SRF) each year. SRF is a real alternative to fossil fuels, replacing carbon-emitting coal in energy-heavy industries, amongst others.
Processing has started on-site and will see JWitt offering carbon reductions to over 1,000 customers, including retailers, restaurants, industrial estates, veterinary practices, holiday lets, and offices.
JWitt will achieve its goal with the help of the XO22, Advetec’s aerobic biodigester, which can process up to 10 tonnes of unrecyclable waste on-site daily. Advetec’s technology halves the mass of waste and diverts 100% from landfill or low-level incineration. The machine cuts associated greenhouse gas emissions by over 60% and aids the transition towards greater material segregation and extraction.
For every truckload of unrecyclable waste that goes through the machine, 6 tonnes of CO2 – the equivalent weight to an African elephant – are saved as the process digests the organic fraction of the waste using unique blends of bacteria. The reduction scheme has been verified by the Carbon Credit Standards Authority and the floc that’s left will be used as a coal replacement product – each tonne of floc used as SRF will replace 0.5 tonnes of carbon-emitting coal.
Jamie Witt, director at JWitt Waste Recycling, said: “We’re thrilled to go live with Advetec’s technology. It’s transformational for our business, our customers and the region – especially when you consider that processing this waste stream on-site will save almost 500 road miles each week, further reducing our companies CO2 output, as we can divert material previously sent to incineration plant in Avonmouth.
“Advetec is enabling independent waste handlers like us to innovate by offering easy access to alternative fuel offtake markets for the first time. These markets have traditionally been hard to access as smaller waste handlers often lack the volume or consistency of waste or the budget to fund the testing and infrastructure required by off-takers. It’s a game changer.”
Until now, JWitt, like most waste handlers has had to regularly transport waste across the region, which is costly and time intensive. The new on-site solution will help reduce road-related carbon emissions and congestion, further enabling JWitt to not only meet their green goals as a company, but surpass them.
Lee Knott, Advetec’s CEO, said: “As the first waste handler to establish a dedicated food waste collection service in Bath, it’s clear that JWitt has always been committed to actively reducing waste, and our technology will allow them to take their efforts to the next level.
“Now the permit is in place, they’ll turn local waste into a commodity that benefits the circular economy and helps customers accelerate their journey to Net Zero. Biotechnology is a local solution with a real-world impact, helping UK waste handlers become green pioneers in their local communities. We’re proud to give JWitt greater control over cost and carbon and build greater waste-handling capacity into their operations.”
Vision Techniques | Vision Techniques named as finalists in the Red Rose Awards 2025
Commercial Vehicle Safety and Security specialists, Vision Techniques, have been named as a finalist in the Red Rose Awards 2025.
With the awards ceremony, run by Lancashire Business View, just two weeks away on Thursday March 13, the team at Vision Techniques are celebrating their success on becoming a finalist in the Medium Business Awards category.
Managing Director Dave Smith, Finance Director Sarah Wood and Marketing Manager Chloe Wilson visited Burnley Football Club earlier this month to give a presentation in front of a judging panel sharing insights into their company which spans more than three decades.
They are now hoping they are a winner but already feel like they have won just by making it to the final.
Sarah shared what it would mean to the team if they won the award.
She said: “Winning an award would be amazing for Vision Techniques but we also feel like a winner just by making it to the final.
“By winning the award it would help to attract new customers which will then contribute to road safety and fewer fatalities.
“We have evolved into one of the UK’s largest vehicle safety equipment providers, supplying to a wide range of industries including construction, waste management, blue light and more.
“It would be amazing to win because after taking a massive step and investing into Vision Techniques undergoing a management buyout, we are securing employee jobs, continuing to grow and not only bringing sales in each month but achieving a record sales month of over £1m last year.”
The awards ceremony will be taking place at the Winter Gardens in Blackpool.
Vision Techniques are the innovative driving force in vehicle safety and security systems, protecting not only vehicles but also the lives of employees, the public and the environments they operate in.
Loved by some of the largest fleets in the UK, Vision Techniques’ products are influencing and changing safety and security standards across industries daily.
Greyparrot | Experts from Suez, IPL and Cheshire West share plans to navigate rising costs and regulatory changes on Greyparrot panel
With the UK waste sector facing strong headwinds, AI waste analytics developer Greyparrot brought together industry experts from Suez, IPL Brightgreen and Cheshire West Recycling to discuss strategies for navigating a challenging 2025.
The panel featured Jonathan Caesar (Suez UK), Jody Sherratt (Cheshire West Recycling), and Jonathan Attwood (IPL Brightgreen), who shared their thoughts on the most pressing obstacles that recovery facilities will face in 2025.
In an hour-long discussion, the speakers outlined their strategies for maintaining healthy margins, guided by lean manufacturing processes and automation.
The challenges recycling leaders are targeting in 2025
From evolving regulation to labour shortages, rising energy costs and changing material composition, the UK’s recovery facilities are contending with a huge range of challenges in 2025.
To understand how different waste organisations prioritise these hurdles, Greyparrot’s Matthew Steventon asked each panellist to identify the most pressing challenge for their business. The variety of answers highlighted how organisations of different sizes are laying out their priorities for 2025:
Jonathan Caesar, a Senior Technical Plant Engineer at Suez UK, pointed to a combination of changing waste streams and delayed regulation as the obstacles he is planning around:
“One of the biggest challenges is changing waste composition, driven by collection and packaging reforms. Extended producer responsibility (EPR), Simpler Recycling, and the deposit return scheme (DRS) will significantly alter waste stream composition. Additionally, policy uncertainty has led to a lack of investment.”
Jonathan Attwood, Head of Technical and Quality at IPL Brightgreen, offered the perspective of a leading plastic sorter and reprocessor. For Attwood, growing compliance-related costs are the biggest influence on strategy in 2025:
“Over the past few years, we’ve seen growing sampling requirements… Staff costs and training are also increasing.
There are positive policies in place to reduce contamination and improve recovery rates, but the industry remains in limbo.”
For Cheshire West Recycling — a local authority trading company handling both collections and sorting — maintaining productivity while keeping costs in control is a key issue. Operations Director Jody Sherratt also cited contaminated waste streams:
“The biggest issue for me is supply quality. The control over feedstock is limited, and councils are often hesitant to engage citizens.
This results in mixed material piles where the origin is unclear — it’s like searching for a needle in a haystack.”
Despite the daunting outlook for waste organisations in 2025, advancements in recycling technology and lean facility management are helping businesses adapt to these evolving challenges.
Automation is becoming a “survival tool” for the waste sector
Following their discussion of the risks ahead, each panellist outlined their growth strategies for 2025.
Some have found inspiration in the lean manufacturing processes of the automotive industry, and plan to balance productivity and product quality in a similar way. Automation emerged as a common solution for finding that balance while protecting margins, especially as the cost of compliance sampling increases with stricter regulation.
With waste composition set to evolve as a result of EPR, DRS and Simpler Recycling, recovery facilities will need to adapt their sorting processes to recover maximum value from the resources that remain in their feedstock.
Caesar, Attwood and Sherratt now rely on AI waste analytics to help them maximise efficiency — but they have deployed the technology in distinct ways that meet their specific operational needs. All three shared their strategies for applying AI-generated insights throughout the webinar.
Greyparrot has made a recording of the webinar available for free, writing that it will help facilities shape their own “waste roadmaps” to thrive in a challenging year for the UK waste sector. Watch the panel on-demand here.
WasteRecruit | Introducing a new blueprint to close the green skills gap
Finding the skills needed to accelerate sustainable business.
If the UK hopes to fill its sustainability ambitions, there’s a big gap to fill. A report by PWC suggests that the shortfall is as much as 200 000 in terms of the skills needed for a clean energy transition.
Add to that the need to decarbonise the construction industry and improve infrastructure resilience, and the gap gets even bigger. We haven’t even started talking about resource management yet. A sector that is rapidly evolving and growing in importance.
It’s this last sector that we can learn from. The industry is almost unrecognisable from what it used to be two decades ago. Back then waste management was about disposal. Now it’s about reuse, recycling, remediation, and reducing waste as much as possible, as quickly as possible. It’s an industry innovating and creating new solutions to manage materials.
With this in mind, taking a traditional approach to try close the green skills gap, seems redundant. Sifting through CV’s, looking for green skills won’t deliver. Investing in apprenticeships and providing training may be effective in a decade or two, but we need green skills now. The industry is growing rapidly, and it needs to in order to meet net zero ambitions and sustainability goals.
If we hope to close the green skills gap much faster, it requires us to do things differently. There’s a new blueprint that is proving to be both efficient and effective. Instead of focusing on the size of the gap and debating on the best way to close it, we can focus on skills. Set aside the CV, it’s not needed. Instead test for skills specific to a role and company.
The new blueprint in action
Many of the new facilities being built for waste material management are bespoke. They’re customised to process materials to maximise outputs and serve specific local area needs. The roles required in these facilities are unique, requiring an ability to do more than merely operate in a facility. Especially with the advanced technologies and processes involved.
The skills needed can’t be found on a CV. But that doesn’t mean that they don’t exist. A blueprint for success can be built by applying the same bespoke approach to recruitment as to the building of the facility with skills as the core focus.
It starts with having in-depth discussions with key stakeholders to understand what the deliverables are for each role. Specifically key behaviours vital to a role as well as credentials. This is then used to develop a SJT (Situational Judgement Test) which is used to assess whether candidates have the right skills, regardless of their background or previous experience.
The SJT uses real world examples to assesses candidate’s approach to specific situations, including how they make decisions and solve problems. This new blueprint for recruitment of green skills is a game changer because it enables candidates with little to no experience in the sector to be assessed on their capabilities.
It is a way to rapidly grow the availability of green skills for commerce and industry because it eliminates bias based on a CV. The process is purely skills based and clearly identifies the best candidates for the role based on assessment scores.
Evidence that the blueprint works:
WasteRecruit, a CIWM Commercial Partner has been pioneering the skills-based assessment approach to recruitment and leading the way in developing green skills for the resource and renewable sectors.
“WasteRecruit’s process not only allowed us to find a great candidate but also ensured that they were well-prepared and had a clear understanding of the role, increasing the likelihood of a suitable match for the post”. – Sarah Troman, Head of Neighbourhood Services, Mansfield District Council
“Working with WasteRecruit brought a fresh approach to candidate searching that enabled us to pinpoint a great fit for our Environmental Compliance Manager position. From initial introductions and job discussions to interviews and the offer stage, the WasteRecruit team was fully engaged, providing valuable support and advice. We received an extensive selection of relevant candidates to consider, and the assessment process streamlined our decision-making with evidence-based insights.” – Lee Thompson, Group Business Development Director
This blueprint for skills-based assessments is 100% bespoke and customisable. Results in 100% retention and 100% positive feedback. Consider the acceleration possible in closing the green skills gap when these are the results that can be achieved.
For every five textile items repaired, four displace a new purchase – an 82.2% displacement rate – according to research by WRAP.
A new report from WRAP, produced in collaboration with resale and repair businesses and brands, shows the impact of a range of circular business models on stopping the purchase of new clothes.
The report, Displacement Rates Untangled, calculates the extent to which the rise of repair and resale can displace new sales, and how much they help offset the environmental cost of clothing.
Depop, eBay, Vestiaire Collective, The Seam, SOJO and brand Finisterre provided data for the report.
The research found that repairing one cotton t-shirt instead of buying a brand new one could save over 7.5kg CO2e.
Repairing a hole in a wool jumper instead of buying a new one could save over 16kg CO2e and repairing a rip in a waterproof jacket instead of buying a new one could save over 45kg CO2e.
WRAP, the global environmental action non-governmental organisation, also explored the impact of resale and found for every five preloved items bought, three displace new purchases – resulting in a displacement rate of 64.6%.
Buying a preloved pair of jeans online instead of buying a brand-new pair could save over 30kg CO2e, according to the report. While purchasing a second-hand pair of trainers online instead of buying a brand-new pair could save over 12kg CO2e.
Our data now quantifies the big environmental savings from preloved and repair.
Commenting on the report, Harriet Lamb, WRAP CEO, said: “There’s nothing better than finding a bargain online or in your local charity shop. Our data now quantifies the big environmental savings from preloved and repair.
“This is great news for shoppers as it shows that introducing a little circular living into your life reduces the price and the environmental price tag too.”
Using data from the six companies, WRAP said it has established benchmarks for repair and resale and developed a single methodology that can be applied by businesses.
WRAP is now calling on companies to adopt its standardised way of measuring resale and repair.
While the focus of Displacement Rates Untangled is repair and resale circular business models, the methodology could be applied to other models including redistribution and rental and applied outside the UK, WRAP said.
The report was launched at WRAP’s Textiles 2030 annual Circular Summit for signatories to the UK’s only industry-wide voluntary agreement tackling waste, water stress and emissions in the UK’s textile sector.
WRAP said it will also publish the first in a new set of Circular Living Standards later this year for Preloved clothing.
SThe concept of Strategic Bitcoin Reserves gives a glimpse into the ever-growing significance of cryptocurrency, especially Bitcoin. In fact, the proponents of the concept consider Bitcoin to be a security asset just like other assets such as gold and oil. In case you have limited familiarity when it comes to Strategic Bitcoin Reserves, it is time to take a plunge into the topic and explore it in detail.
As the prominence of bitcoin is growing with the passage of time, nations are considering it as an important asset. Moreover, they are going a step ahead and even considering to hold a strategic Bitcoin reserve. Although the idea would seem impossible a few years ago, today, it is believed to be a strategic move. In order to get a holistic insight into the true potential, you need to take into account the associated benefits, risks, and real-world applications.
Embrace the technological leap and global adoption that awaits in the upcoming bull run of 2024-2025 with Crypto Bull Run Ready Career Path.
What are strategic bitcoin reserves?
Strategic bitcoin reserves are a fairly new concept that involves the nation’s stockpile of bitcoin. The topic has gained massive attention lately since U.S. President Donald Trump has made the promise that he intends to use strategic bitcoin reserves as a hedge against inflation. That’s not all! It can also serve as a useful financial tool that can safeguard the nation against financial instability.
In the current times when bitcoin has shown immense potential, the potential of strategic bitcoin reserves seems to be very bright. However, to understand the true potential of a strategic Bitcoin reserve SBR, you need to understand its core features. The chief features of a strategic bitcoin reserve include:
The supply of Bitcoin has been fixed at 21 million coins, which may lead to its scarcity.
The distinguishing feature revolves around decentralization, which curbs the possibility of manipulation.
The global accessibility of the asset is high.
On the basis of the proven track record, the value of bitcoin is appreciated in the long term.
The features of Bitcoin undoubtedly play an instrumental role in magnifying the strategic role of strategic Bitcoin reserves. The concept of strategic bitcoin reserve explained simply means holding bitcoins as an asset. By leveraging the features as well as attributes of Bitcoin nations may use it to improve financial stability. The creation of these reserves can expand the horizons for national governments to strengthen their financial position in the dynamic era.
Enroll now in the Bitcoin Technology Course to learn about Bitcoin mining and the information contained in transactions and blocks.
What are the core benefits of strategic bitcoin reserves?
Today, several nations are considering the strategic Bitcoin reserve SBR as an unconventional financial strategy. The real-life introduction of these reserves may play an instrumental role to help nations address their financial problems and challenges. Some of the main benefits that may arise from holding strategic Bitcoin reserves include:
Increase in asset value of the government
One of the fundamental benefits of SBR Crypto revolves around the rise in the national government’s asset value. It will certainly help to strengthen the balance sheet of the government. Moreover, nations can utilize it for paying the national debt.
Better protection against inflation
Inflation is a pressing issue for all nations across the globe. However, by maintaining strategic bitcoin reserves, a nation can have better protection against inflation. It is undoubtedly one of the fundamental benefits of bitcoin reserve. Especially during the period of inflation, nations can use their SBR Coin collection for strengthening their financial position.
Ability to boost the digital economy
In the digital era, the blockchain realm, including Bitcoin, has shown immense potential and promise. A nation can capitalize on the attractive opportunities that exist in the crypto space by prioritizing strategic Bitcoin reserves. Moreover, it can heighten the attractiveness of Bitcoin as an investment option for all citizens.
Fusion of cryptocurrency with conventional finance
In the evolving times, the concept of strategic Bitcoin reserve can create the opportunity to fuse digital currency with traditional finance. Thus, there is a possibility to make cryptocurrencies, especially Bitcoin more institutionalized. It shall not only boost its popularity but also expand its use for commercial purposes.
Build your identity as a certified blockchain expert with 101 Blockchains’ Blockchain Certifications designed to provide enhanced career prospects.
Main Risks you need to consider in strategic bitcoin reserves
It is true that the concept of strategic bitcoin reserves seems quite promising. However, a number of risks and uncertainties may arise that one cannot ignore. If you have the question ‘What is BTC reserve risk?’ you must remember that it is a valid question that you need to answer. Below are the main risks that a nation should consider so that it can derive optimum value from a strategic Bitcoin reserve.
Volatile nature
A major bitcoin reserve risk involving strategic bitcoin reserve is that bitcoin, just like other cryptocurrencies, is volatile in nature. It can undoubtedly increase the overall level of uncertainty for national governments. Moreover, the portfolio of governments may be considerably affected due to the volatile as well as unpredictable nature of bitcoins.
Premature Stage
As bitcoin is a relatively new innovation, the decision to introduce and maintain strategic bitcoin reserve SBR is considered to be premature. The domain of cryptocurrency has not been explored fully, and thus, new complexities and complications may arise. This may automatically impact the value of the reserve and the actual worth that nations may derive from it.
Risks relating to regulatory aspects
An important risk to consider in the context of strategic bitcoin reserve is related to the regulatory area. The current regulatory landscape is underdeveloped, to say the least. Thus, it may intensify the degree of uncertainty and ambiguity while maintaining such reserves, thereby impacting their worth.
Security risks
As Bitcoin is a digital asset, one cannot ignore the security risks that may arise because of malicious actors. Online hackers and cybercriminals may adopt sophisticated techniques to carry out activities such as theft, scams, and other types of attacks. The lack of preparedness to deal with such attacks may diminish the value of strategic Bitcoin reserves for nations.
Start learning about Cryptocurrencies with World’s first Cryptocurrency Skill Path with quality resources tailored by industry experts Now!
Real-World Applications of Strategic Bitcoin Reserves
As the concept of Strategic Bitcoin Reserves is somewhat new, it is important to focus on its application in the real-world setting. It can certainly help one understand its actual potential. Some of the chief bitcoin reserve applications that you need to be aware of include:
El Salvador Bitcoin reserve
One of the best real-world examples that highlights the immense potential of Strategic Bitcoin Reserves is the El Salvador Bitcoin Reserve. El Salvador is the very first nation in the world that has accepted Bitcoin as a legal tender. It is definitely a top example that showcases how nations can use digital funds to ensure financial stability. The nation has been able to successfully preserve capital for its future citizens. The nation has been able to leverage the concept of strategic bitcoin reserves by introducing and implementing friendly policies and regulations.
Italy’s Intesa Sanpaolo
Another real-world example involves Intesa Sanpaolo, a major bank in Italy. Recently, the bank made a purchase of bitcoins worth USD 1 million. It was able to buy 11 bitcoins. The decision to invest in bitcoins shows that these digital currencies have a bright future in the real-life setting. The proprietary purchase involving Bitcoin has shown the world that the nation has faith in the potential of Bitcoin as a valuable asset.
Although the real-world bitcoin reserve applications are low as of today, gradually individuals as well as nations are accepting bitcoins. In fact, many believe that the future of Bitcoin is full of opportunities and new possibilities. However, one has to wait and watch to see how nations across the world can strategically use strategic Bitcoin reserves.
Final Words
The emergence of the concept of strategic bitcoin reserves is a major milestone in the crypto space. The fact that nations are considering maintaining such reserves shows the rising acceptance of cryptocurrencies, especially bitcoins.
A holistic insight into strategic bitcoin reserves has been presented by focusing on the benefits as well as risks. Moreover, a few real-world applications have been identified to show its potential. You can understand the true promise that a strategic Bitcoin reserve holds by looking at it in a comprehensive manner.
*Disclaimer: The article should not be taken as, and is not intended to provide any investment advice. Claims made in this article do not constitute investment advice and should not be taken as such. 101 Blockchains shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this article. Do your own research!
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, explains what Critical Raw Materials are and the economic opportunity they present if businesses adopt circular economy principles.
The linear, take, make, waste, economy that has prevailed for decades is no longer serving us. In fact, it’s working directly against our efforts to evolve a sustainable future in which people and the planet thrive.
The circular economy is the best tool to help us fix it. But when it comes to critical raw materials, failure to act urgently and strategically could impact our ability to decarbonise and ultimately derail our vision for a sustainable and prosperous future.
What are critical raw materials?
Aerial view of the lithium mine of Silver Peak, Nevada, California, USA.
“Critical raw materials” are natural resources, like lithium, cobalt, nickel, platinum and palladium.
These materials are “critical” because they’re in finite supply, but are also essential components of future technologies, like renewable energy generation. They are also essential for producing rechargeable batteries for electric vehicles, smartphones, and laptops and advanced manufacturing, such as robotics.
Currently, much of the extraction of critical raw materials is environmentally unsustainable. Mining, processing, and transporting critical raw materials, among other resources, generate emissions that drive climate change, accelerate mineral resource scarcity, and contribute to other environmental impacts, including air pollution and biodiversity loss.
Our consumption of new products is a key driver of this behaviour. In Scotland alone, around four-fifths of our carbon footprint comes from the production, consumption, and waste of goods and materials.
It means that, despite all the effort that goes into harnessing these materials, our linear economy sees us disposing of them at an alarming rate.
The opportunity for Scotland
At Zero Waste Scotland, we have long been raising awareness of the link between consumption and climate change and the need to tackle consumption, if we’re serious about living within the limits of our natural environment.
Taking a circular approach to critical raw materials can help us achieve exactly that, avoiding emissions generated overseas through resource extraction and negating the need to transport them huge distances to our shores.
But the argument for circularity when it comes to critical raw materials is economic as well as environmental.
Scotland and the UK are currently heavily reliant on imports for our supply, yet we have significant stocks of critical raw materials embedded within our infrastructure.
These are in everything from oil rigs and wind turbines to the 40,000 tonnes of Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) we export as waste each year.
By capturing these materials instead of exporting or disposing of them as “waste” we have an unrivalled opportunity to harness valuable components for reuse, in turn creating new economic opportunities such as jobs in reuse and remanufacturing.
What’s more, with critical raw materials so essential to “green” growth and powering our future, we must futureproof our supply. Alleviating our reliance on imports for critical raw materials can make our economy more resilient and free us from economic risks around volatile supply chains and geopolitical challenges.
Companies like Renewable Parts, which refurbishes wind turbine components, and EGG Lighting, which provides energy-efficient lighting solutions, show how innovation can strengthen domestic supply chains and support the UK’s green transition.
What should the future strategy be?
At Zero Waste Scotland, we recently teamed up with Scottish Enterprise to co-host an event exploring the critical raw materials challenge and opportunities for Scotland.
Held at the Scottish Parliament, the oversubscribed event brought together decision-makers, advisors, industry leaders, and academics, to share their expertise and insight and generate a shared understanding of the importance of critical raw materials as an issue.
One of the key takeaways from the event was the acute need for new data gathering and knowledge-sharing to effectively assess the criticality of different materials and inform our strategic approach.
That need is why we have worked together with Green Alliance to produce “Mission Critical”: a five-step plan for greater energy security for the UK and Scotland, with demand reduction and circularity at the core.
What’s more, our Material Flow Accounts paint a picture of the scale and nature of Scotland’s consumption by quantifying the materials we are extracting from Scotland’s natural environment, as well as those which are imported, exported, and wasted.
However, the critical raw materials challenge is a global and complex one and will require a collaborative effort from multiple stakeholders.
The parliamentary event was an important step in raising awareness and identifying key partners, but it was just that – an initial step on what will be a much longer journey.
Analysing the policy landscape
Inside Scottish Parliament.
The good news is we are taking up this mantle within a policy landscape that boasts a strong commitment at the decision-making level to accelerating a circular economy, backed by tangible actions to get us there.
The Scottish Government recently published Scotland’s Circular Economy and Waste Route Map, setting out an ambitious plan to deliver actions that the government, in collaboration with others, must take to accelerate progress towards a circular economy between now and 2030.
Meanwhile, Scotland’s Circular Economy Act enables powers that set a framework for the future, including delivery of some of the Circular Economy and Waste Route Map interventions and requires the creation of a Circular Economy Strategy to be consulted on and reviewed every five years.
The Act is already supporting Scottish decision-makers to evolve positive sustainable change, for example, introducing a charge on single-use disposable beverage cups by 2026.
At Zero Waste Scotland, we have just launched our new Corporate Plan, with rewiring the economy at its heart.
It sets out our strategic vision for the next five years, targeting high-impact sectors like critical raw materials where we can maximise economic opportunities as well as environmental ones. Because a zero-waste, circular economy is the right choice – for people, planet, and prosperity.
Zero Waste Scotland is Scotland’s circular economy public body, working with government, businesses, and communities to rewire the economy from our current “take, make, waste” model to one where we make the most of the materials we have.
The Climate Change Committee has recommended the UK Goverment implement policies to ensure the near elimination of all waste being sent to landfill by 2045.
By law the UK must reach net zero, which means the country is no longer adding to the total amount of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, by 2050.
The Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) seventh carbon budget sets out a limit on the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions over the five years between 2038 to 2042 to achieve this target.
To achieve this target, the CCC says there must be a near elimination of biodegradable waste sent to landfill from 2028 and all types of waste from 2045.
The CCC also recommends that carbon capture and storage (CCS) technologies are installed at all Energy-from-Waste (EfW) plants by 2045, which it estimates will capture 90–95% of emissions produced through incineration.
What are carbon budgets?
The UK’s Climate Change Act (2008) requires the government to propose regular, legally-binding milestones on the pathway to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
These milestones are known as carbon budgets and set limits on the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions over five years. The CCC is required to advise the UK Government on the level of these budgets.
The CCC is an independent, statutory body established under the Climate Change Act. The Committee advises the UK and devolved governments on emissions targets and reports to Parliament what progress has been made to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
What is the seventh carbon budget?
The CCC recommends the level for the seventh carbon budget, a limit on the UK’s greenhouse gas emissions over the five-year period 2038 to 2042, should be 535 MtCO2e.
Electrification and low-carbon electricity supply make up the largest share of emissions reductions in the CCC’s pathway to achieving the target, 60% by 2040.
The CCC estimate that the net costs of net zero will be around 0.2% of UK GDP per year on average if the government follows its pathway, with investment upfront leading to net savings during the five-year period.
What does the budget say about the resource & waste sector?
The largest share of emissions reduction in the CCC’s pathway for waste is achieved by reducing waste sent to landfill and EfW.
It says this can be accomplished by resource efficiency, increased recycling rates, and a reduction in food waste.
According to the pathway, resource efficiency improvements lead to a 5% decrease in total non-food related waste by 2040.
While improving resource efficiency in the construction, vehicles, and textile manufacturing sectors has largest impact on waste generation.
How can the sector contribute to net zero?
Stagnant recycling rates and an increase in emissions from waste incineration mean has stalled progress towards decarbonising the resource and waste sector, the CCC says.
The CCC says reducing emissions produced by waste will depend on a combination of government policy and action from households and businesses.
The key actions it recommendations include improving waste collections to ensure better consistency across the country.
Amongst the other recommendations are that the UK Government should prevent EfW capacity expansion unless a viable route to connecting CCS can be established.
The CCC has also called for funding and policy certainty for local authorities, saying it is key to decarbonising the waste sector.
Decarbonising waste an “uphill battle”: Industry reactions
Head of Climate and Energy Policy at the ESA, Charlotte Rule, said “without dramatic improvements to recycling performance and residual waste reduction, any other measures we take to reduce emissions associated with waste will be fighting an uphill battle”.
Rule continued that “the emerging policy landscape is some way off creating investable conditions in residual waste decarbonisation and government must ensure that the Emissions Trading Scheme drives the correct behaviour through pragmatic mechanisms that ensure the carbon content of waste is fairly allocated to producers to deliver a clear signal to decarbonise”.
Pre-loved or repaired goods represent two of the lowest carbon choices available to consumers…
Following the Budget’s publication, SUEZ CEO John Scanlon asked that more prominence be given to re-use and repair.
“Pre-loved or repaired goods represent two of the lowest carbon choices available to consumers and are growing in popularity,” Scanlon said.
“Embedding reuse and repair clearly into the budget’s framework, with real targets and incentives, will drive the circular economy necessary to reaching net zero goals.
“The UK has largely made the transition away from landfill and we will ensure that CCS reduces the impact of dealing with our customers’ residual waste. But we need to improve resource efficiency and that is not possible without a clear re-use and repair ethos.”
Trewin Restorick, Founder of Sizzle Innovation, explains how his new sustainable venture is aiming to transform waste into wonderful, circular solutions for your garden.
There is a saying that where there is muck there is money, but is it true? The theory will be tested with the launch of Treasure Gardening a new social enterprise seeking to celebrate the wonders of waste by making high-quality horticulture products from waste and by-products.
The launch of this new circular economy enterprise has certainly been circuitous. It started with an investigation by Sizzle Innovation, funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, that sought to understand why, despite many warm words and commitments, the sale of peat for gardeners was still not banned.
The research concluded that the industry was struggling to find a consistent and affordable replacement for peat, that legislative barriers were adding cost and complexity, and there was scepticism amongst some professional and amateur gardeners about the effectiveness of peat replacements based on poor early experiences.
These concerns were sufficient to dissuade the UK Government from finding legislative time to introduce the promised ban.
With no ban likely in the foreseeable future, Sizzle set about exploring the steps that would hasten the transition from peat to more sustainable alternatives.
This included bringing together twenty organisations to launch a communication campaign to gardeners, which helped them to better choose and use peat alternatives.
Policy recommendations, backed by 16 organisations, were developed helping to create a more supportive legislative framework. These addressed two of the identified barriers, but what about the supply of a high qualitative alternative?
What is the alternative?
Peat excavation on The Isle of Skye, Scotland.
To answer this, Sizzle called upon the services of “compost connoisseur” Simon Blackhurst a self-confessed growing media geek with vast experience in developing peat alternatives.
Based on his knowledge, it became clear that a mix of materials was required capable of replicating the properties that make peat suitable for growing. Could we create this magic mix?
Around 20% of the new compost could be provided by green waste and we worked with Durham County Council to source this material.
Despite their excellent sorting process, it was clear that plastic contamination was a problem. A trial communications campaign was run, which successfully halved the amount of visible plastic found in the waste. This reduction was sufficient to pass rigorous testing.
The key for the remaining ingredients was to ensure that they were of consistent quality and sustainably sourced. This was achieved by sourcing wood off-cuts from the furniture industry, using a by-product of the coconut industry called coir and wood bark.
The new compost was made and sent for growing trials in the North East of England where it outperformed both peat and non-peat competitors.
Convinced that we had a viable product that could address one of the three barriers we had identified, our challenge was how to take it to market.
Market research identified that most people don’t give much consideration to the compost they purchase relying on price and previous buying decisions rather than thinking about quality or sustainability.
With this understanding, we worked with an agency called Chorus & Bridge to create our new Wonderfuel compost brand.
The new branding deliberately aimed to stand out from a rather staid market focussing on the quality of the product backed by strong sustainability credentials. Start-up funding was secured and we are now seeking to make it available through retailers and online.
This is the point of trepidation. Will we be able to break into a difficult market, will gardeners buy it, have we got the pricing right and does the bold branding work?
Early indications are positive. What we do know is that we have already sparked new conversations about the importance of transitioning from peat and the challenges that this represents.
What were the next steps?
Our story could have ended at this point, but the creation of Wonderfuel got us thinking more broadly. Over the course of our research and product development, we have become aware of a huge range of green and biowaste that is currently being underutilised.
Waste materials such as used hops from the brewing industry, scallop shells, sheep wool and maybe even pet hair could, if properly treated, be used to provide sustainable and circular solutions for growers.
These solutions could reduce dependency on fertilisers, cut costs, enrich the soil and support circular economy ambitions.
The launch of Treasure Gardening aims to successfully land Wonderfuel in the marketplace and to research opportunities for turning other waste streams into horticultural products. It is a long shot but if successful will demonstrate that strong environmental commitments can go together with a profitable business.
If we’re successful, our intention is to donate some of the profits to sustainable growing initiatives across the UK so that we build wider impact.
Fly-tipping incidents increased by 6% for the 2023-24 year, rising to 1.15 million from the 1.08 million reported in 2022-23.
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has released statistics on fly-tipping incidents recorded by Local Authorities in England between April 2023 to March 2024.
According to the statistics, 688,000 fly-tipping incidents involved household waste in 2023-24, a 5% increase on reported incidents in 2022-23.
The most common place for fly-tipping to occur was on highways, which includes pavements and roads, accounting for 37% of total incidents in 2023/24.
However, the number of highway incidents in 2023-24 decreased by 1% to 427,000 from 433,000 in 2022-23.
The most common place for fly-tipping to occur was on highways.
The most common size category for fly-tipping incidents in 2023/24 was equivalent to a “small van load” (31% of total incidents), followed by the equivalent of a “car boot or less” (28%).
In 2023/24, 47,000 or around 4% of total incidents were of a “tipper lorry load” size or larger, which is an increase of 11% from 42,000 in 2022/23.
For these large fly-tipping incidents, the cost of clearance to local authorities in England in 2023/24 was £13.1 million.
Local authorities carried out 528,000 enforcement actions in 2023/24, which was a slight decrease from the 530,000 in 2022/23.
The number of fixed penalty notices (FPNs) issued was 63,000 in 2023/24, a decrease of 5% from 67,000 in 2022/23. FPNs were the second most common action after investigations and accounted for 12% of all actions in 2023/24.
The total number of court fines decreased by 8% from 1,491 in 2022/23 to 1,378 in 2023/24, with the combined value of these fines decreasing by 7% from £785,000 to £730,000.
Defra reminded local authorities to not report FPNs issued solely for littering, which it said may have contributed to the reduction in the total number of FPNs reported by some local authorities.
The data is based on incidents and actions reported by local authorities through WasteDataFlow.
Defra urged caution when interpreting year-on-year changes due to high numbers of incidents being reported as “other unidentified” for land type and waste type in 2023/24.
Fly-tipping statistics are a “tragedy”
Dan Cooke, the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management’s (CIWM) Director of Policy, Communications and External Affairs.
Reacting to the statistics, Dan Cooke, Director of Policy, Communications and External Affairs at CIWM, said: “Each and every one of these incidents causes misery to local communities and directly damages local environments and economies.
“Fly-tipping is waste crime. We applaud those local authorities and their partners taking concerted action.
“Effective enforcement needs greater resourcing, including for improved information and awareness, and a coordinated effort by relevant agencies to reduce and minimise the risk of further escalation.
“CIWM will continue to work with partners to provide training and share best practice in driving towards maintaining high standards and responsible waste management, and to highlight how we can all play a part by being vigilant against the scourge of the fly-tippers and the environmental, social and economic damage they cause.”
Cllr Adam Hug, environment spokesperson for the Local Government Association, called fly-tipping “inexcusable”.
“It (fly-tipping) is not only an eyesore for residents, but a serious public health risk, creating pollution and attracting rats and other vermin,” Hug said. “Councils are working tirelessly to counter the thousands of incidents every year and are determined to crack down on the problem.
“However, penalties handed down from prosecution fail to match the severity of the offence committed. We continue to urge the government to review sentencing guidelines for fly-tipping so that offenders are given bigger fines for more serious offences to act as a deterrent.
“Manufacturers should also contribute to the costs to councils of clear up, by providing more take-back services so people can hand in sofas, old furniture and mattresses when they buy new ones.”
Each and every one of these incidents causes misery to local communities and directly damages local environments and economies.
Allison Ogden-Newton OBE, Chief Executive of environmental charity Keep Britain Tidy, called the statistics a “tragedy” and said the 6% increase in incidents is “frightening and shameful”.
She said: “Fly-tipping is costing each and every one of us; the increasing sums needed to clean up the mess that’s wrecking both the environment and communities where it significantly contributes to people feeling ‘left behind’.
“We must tackle the crisis in our broken waste system with national product take-back schemes, a complete reform of the waste carrier license scheme and much tougher sanctions on those criminals who are coming to people’s doors, profiting from ignorance and dumping waste wherever they fancy.”
David Gudgeon, Head of External Affairs at Reconomy Connect, a brand by Reconomy, the international circular economy specialist, called the data “staggering” and said it underlines the “severe economic harm” of fly-tipping.
“The fact that household waste accounts for so much of this clearly demonstrates the need for greater public education on how and where people can safely dispose of waste and the importance of doing so,” Gudgeon said.
“There also needs to be a greater focus on fines and enforcement action to create better deterrents and a change in societal thinking to acknowledge the negative impact fly-tipping has on all of us.”
The University of Leicester says its scientists have developed a new technique for recycling lithium-ion batteries using vegetable oil.
The patent-pending technology extracts battery-grade metal oxides from crushed batteries using water and vegetable oil.
The University said the technique purifies lithium-ion battery black mass, a low-value mixture of anode, cathode, and other materials, directly within minutes at room temperature.
The research was led by Professor Andy Abbott and Dr Jake Yang at the University of Leicester, working under the Faraday Institution’s ReLiB project.
Dr Jake Yang from the University of Leicester School of Chemistry commented: “This quick, simple and inexpensive method could revolutionise how batteries are recycled at scale.
“We now hope to work with a variety of stakeholders to scale up this technology and create a circular economy for lithium-ion batteries.”
This quick, simple and inexpensive method could revolutionise how batteries are recycled at scale.
Current recycling techniques use a combination of furnace heat treatment to burn off graphite, which produces carbon emissions across the electric vehicle value chain.
Most people know oil and water do not mix unless you add soap, however, the research has shown that ultrasound can create nano-droplets of oil that are stable for weeks.
The new process developed by the University of Leicester uses these oil nano-droplets to purify battery waste, commonly known as “black mass”, as it contains a mixture of carbon (graphite) and valuable lithium, nickel and cobalt metal oxides (NMC).
The oil nano-droplets stick to the surface of the carbon and act as a “glue” to bind hydrophobic graphite particles together to form large oil-graphite conglomerates.
These particles float on water, leaving the valuable, hydrophilic lithium metal oxides untouched. The University said the oil-graphite conglomerate can then be skimmed off to leave pure metal oxides.
In the current times, Coin Mixing and CoinJoins have emerged as top tools in the cryptocurrency environment that remove traces of digital currencies. These practices basically involve merging coins or tokens together so that transactions can become untraceable and individuals’ privacy can be maintained. These practices have undoubtedly gained immense popularity within as well as beyond the crypto community.
The coin mixing and coinjoins guide will help you broaden your insight into the two similar concepts. You need to understand the underlying mechanism of coin mixing and coinjoins so that you can uncover how they exactly work. Let us dive into the world of digital currencies and learn about coin mixing and coinjoins!
Embrace the technological leap and global adoption that awaits in the upcoming bull run of 2024-2025 with Crypto Bull Run Ready Career Path.
An insight into Coin Mixing
Coin mixing is a process where crypto users exchange their coins or tokens for other cryptocurrencies. So, are you wondering, ‘How does coin mixing work?’
Well, the mixing ensures that there is no way to link the person who originally held the funds in their wallet. The coin mixing services are commonly referred to as tumblers or mixers. They are offered by a third-party service provider who may charge a small fee for such services.
By using coin mixing services, you can rest assured that your funds cannot be traced back to you. If you prioritize your privacy online, these services ensure that at all costs. This method is solely based on trust, as there is no certainty that the third party will return the replaced funds to the original user.
Chief Features of Coin Mixing
The demand for coin mixing services has definitely surged in recent era. These services enable users to mix their digital coins in order to make them untraceable. Before taking part in a coin mixing stake, it is essential to identify some of its chief features. The main features of coin mixing include:
Coin mixing services are provided to preserve the privacy of cryptocurrency users.
These services combine the benefits of transaction obfuscation along with the profits relating to staking.
By availing the services, it is possible for cryptocurrency services to eliminate the trace between the sender and receiver.
These services can be used legally or illegally depending on the intention and motive of the user.
Learn the fundamentals, working principle and the future prospects of cryptocurrencies from Cryptocurrency E-Book
A Glimpse into CoinJoins
CoinJoins can be considered to be an alternative concept which shares certain similarities with coin mixing. It refers to a privacy tool that enables users to mix their coins so that they can be sent anonymously to the intended recipient. In a CoinJoin transaction, varying users participate collaboratively in a single transaction. By using a coinjoin wallet, it is possible to obscure the transaction address as well as the transaction amount.
For a CoinJoin transaction to take place, collaboration between different parties is essential. Every party must share their inputs as well as outputs so that the inputs can be perfectly fused, and there will be no way to link the output to any user. It is a safe method as the coordinator cannot manipulate the transaction or information in any manner. A coinjoin ledger keeps track of the transactions of multiple users while maintaining transparency as well as privacy.
Important Attributes of CoinJoins
CoinJoins transactions have gained massive popularity in the crypto environment. The users of cryptocurrency who value privacy protection rely on these transactions to ensure their privacy and anonymity. However, if you are yet to participate in such transactions, you need to familiarize yourself with some of their pivotal features and attributes.
A CoinJoin transaction involves multiple parties who pit in and get out their crypto.
In the specific transaction, there is a fusion of signatures and addresses, which makes it difficult to trace the original source of the coins.
After the Coinjoin transaction comes to an end, the users have the same number of coins as they originally had at the start of the transaction.
They have been identified as top privacy tools that can help users maintain their anonymity without being involved in any kind of risk.
Build your identity as a certified blockchain expert with 101 Blockchains’ Blockchain Certifications designed to provide enhanced career prospects!
Positive Impact of Coin Mixing and CoinJoins on Privacy
Both Coin Mixing and CoinJoins can influence the privacy of cryptocurrency users. They can be seen as two different tools that have come into existence in recent years to ensure that the privacy of individuals is maintained.
By leveraging Coin Mixing services and CoinJoins transactions you can avoid surveillance. This is because they work by breaking the connection between the sender and the receiver. Thus, it is not possible to trace the original funds back to you. In current times, when privacy is considered to be a major concern for a majority of online users, Coin Mixing and CoinJoins have certainly emerged as a breath of fresh air.
Adverse Implications of using Coin Mixing and CoinJoins
Although Coin Mixing and CoinJoins serve as useful privacy tools, users may encounter a number of adverse implications. The coin mixing and coinjoins guide will help you understand how you may face certain risks if you are not careful.
Coin mixing services have come under scrutiny of regulators and lawmakers as these services may be used illegally by certain users. Furthermore, illegal parties may take advantage of these services to engage in money laundering activities.
Now that you know the answer to, “How does coin mixing work?’ you might be wondering whether you will get bac your coins and tokens or not. The answer is it depends solely on the professionalism and trust of the service provider. Users may face the risk of losing their funds if the service provider decides to cheat. On the other hand, CoinJoins transactions are much safer and secure. Furthermore, there is no question about their legality.
Enroll now in the Bitcoin Technology Course to learn about Bitcoin mining and the information contained in transactions and blocks.
Understanding the Difference between Coin Mixing and CoinJoins
Although Coin Mixing as well as CoinJoins have similar types of functionalities, there exist a number of differences between them. The table highlights the core differences between these two practices.
If you are someone who values your privacy and anonymity in the crypto landscape, you must certainly understand how mixing and coinjoin wallets work. Users of cryptocurrencies certainly need to focus on the main features of Coin Mixing and CoinJoins, along with their underlying differences.
It can definitely provide a comprehensive insight into how these concepts work in the practical setting. Once you have knowledge about the similarities and dissimilarities of these concepts, you can carefully choose the tool that perfectly aligns with your needs and expectations.
Future of Coin Mixing and CoinJoins
The future of the Coin Mixing and CoinJoins concepts is full of potential and promise. These tools have emerged and taken the privacy of cryptocurrency users to the next level. Although they can give rise to a broad range of implications for users, you need to carefully weigh their benefits and cons before utilizing these privacy tools. You need to exercise your discretion so that you can capitalize on these sophisticated tools for maintaining your privacy while curbing your risk.
In the future, these practices may undergo further change and development. For instance, steps may be taken to address the compliance-related issues that arise in the context of coin mixing services.
Similarly, the integration of new technologies has the potential to revolutionize how efficiently a coinjoin wallet works. The rate at which the cryptocurrency is expanding shows that the demand for Coin Mixing and CoinJoins is definitely going to surge in the future.
Bottom Line
The coin mixing and coinjoins concepts have totally taken the cryptocurrency arena by storm. Users of cryptocurrencies need to have a solid insight into these concepts so that they can be used as effective privacy tools.
The coin mixing and coinjoins guide has covered the meaning of these terms along with the key differences that exist between them. Knowledge can certainly empower you and help you choose the perfect privacy tool that meets your needs. In order to use these modern tools wisely, you must broaden your understanding about their positive and negative implications.
Before engaging in coin mixing services and coinjoin transactions, you need to explore these concepts further so that you can use them in a calculated and strategic manner.
*Disclaimer: The article should not be taken as, and is not intended to provide any investment advice. Claims made in this article do not constitute investment advice and should not be taken as such. 101 Blockchains shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this article. Do your own research!
Bucher Municipal is pleased to announce the acquisition of a significant piece of land from Mole Valley District Council in Dorking, Surrey, UK.
The UK’s Climate Change Act (2008) requires the government to propose regular, legally-binding milestones on the pathway to achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions.
Head of Climate and Energy Policy at the ESA, Charlotte Rule, said “without dramatic improvements to recycling performance and residual waste reduction, any other measures we take to reduce emissions associated with waste will be fighting an uphill battle”.
