London Remade studies European Eco Industry
 In
June a delegation of representatives from London organisations joined
London Remade on a tour of Europe in order to learn about sustainable
approaches to waste management and recycling.
Increasing pressure to divert London's waste from landfill and
move towards more sustainable recycling and recovery methods means
there is a need to increase the capital's capacity and markets for
dealing with waste material. The London Development Agency (LDA)
commissioned London Remade to look at suitable sites in London for
waste recycling eco industries.
To aid this research London Remade organised a feasibility study
tour looking at how such industries operate on the continent, with
representatives from GOL, London Remade, LDA, Greater London Assembly,
consultants Voaden Sandbrook, Gateway London and European Metal
Recycling Ltd. The tour visited a range of innovative organisations
that are finding and providing sustainable solutions to waste management
that London could copy.
 In
the Netherlands a visit to COOLREC showed how profit can be made
by recycling 2,000 fridges and 1,000 televisions every day. Many
of the fridges come from the UK.
In Belgium FLECTION showed how it refurbishes computer equipment
before selling it to schools at reduced prices, demonstrating a
profitable business that is delivering environment and social benefits.
The group saw how Cleanaway in Switzerland recycles used plastic
drink bottles, using innovative technology to break down the plastics
before recycling them into new bottles - diverting waste from landfill
and using plastic waste as a valuable resource for making new products,
which help prevent the environmental damage associated with using
virgin materials.
The tour provided valuable insights into how innovative organisations
are helping to make communities more sustainable and provided inspiration
for all who took part.
For more information on Sustainable Development in London please
visit the Sustainable
Development pages on this website, and for information on London
Remade visit www.londonremade.com
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