News updates written by CIWM’s commercial partners.
| Kapdaa | Kapdaa continues textiles recycling commercial trials with major brands and local authorities |
| Greyparrot | Cheshire West Recycling uses waste intelligence to raise contamination removal by 12% and model DRS impact |
| FCC Environment | New partnership launches to support local families through donations at recycling centres |
| Bucher Municipal | Hydro-excavation: finding the right machine for the job |
| Washed Aggregates Trade Association (WATA) | WATA wins prestigious Green Apple Environment Award |
| Fleetclear | Fleetclear launches StreetVision – an AI-powered platform turning fleets into mobile intelligence networks |
| Probe Industries | Probe Industries launches first-of-its-kind combined high-pressure dust suppression cannon with water-efficient atomiser mode |
| Dennis Eagle | Dennis Eagle announces availability of CrewSense AI for enhanced RCV operator awareness at RWM Expo 2026 |
| EPIC | EPIC Golf Day Raises £1,769 for Andy’s Man Club |
| Vernacare | Vernacare’s Sharpsafe® Range Achieves AS 23907:2023 Conformance with 20N Penetration Resistance Across Sizes from 0.2L to 60L |
| Podback | Co-op and Podback expand coffee pod recycling to over 200 stores |
| Vision Techniques | Vision Techniques return to Blackburn after a successful RWM and ESS |
| Beyondly | Quality EPR data is more than a compliance requirement, it is a commercial advantage |
| Contel | Contel celebrates successful RWM Expo 2026 |
Kapdaa | Kapdaa continues textiles recycling commercial trials with major brands and local authorities
Textiles technology innovator Kapdaa has announced the commencement of a series of commercial trial projects with leading UK retailers, local authorities, waste contractors, and charity retail organisations.
This strategic phase is in advance of the scale-up of the company’s state-of-the-art, patented Automated Textiles Sorting & Processing (ATSP+) system, developed entirely in the UK. The system integrates proprietary AI-enabled scanning, advanced mechanical tearing, and fibre-blending equipment.
Transforming Textile Waste into High-Value Secondary Resources
With non-reusable textiles (NRT) posing significant financial and environmental challenges, Kapdaa’s ATSP+ system is designed to convert high-impact linear waste liabilities into high-value secondary woven and non-woven assets. Using this patented technology, Kapdaa enables mechanical and chemical recyclers to scale their innovation within the UK.
One of the outcomes of accurately sorted feedstock is reprocessed on-shore into high-performance, low embodied carbon construction products like certified acoustic and thermal insulation mats and carpet underlays, which directly supports decarbonisation across the built environment and social housing sectors.
Validating Commercial Feasibility and Traceability
The ongoing trials allow participating stakeholders including brands preparing for Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) mandates and local authorities seeking to lower landfill and Energy-from-Waste (EfW) gate fees to validate compliance, unit economics, material sorting metrics, and end-to-end mass-balance digital traceability.
Every physical consignment, batch, and product processed through Kapdaa’s platform is mirrored by a parallel digital transaction. By assigning unique digital identities at the source, Kapdaa provides partners with real-time visibility, an evidence-based audit trail for ESG compliance, automated Scope 1–3 reporting, and certified proof of waste diversion.
Scaling Activity for 2027
To transition from successful trials to a fully operational, high-throughput model, Kapdaa is now actively onboarding early adopters across its core customer segments to secure feedstock commitments and offtake agreements. In 2027 Kapdaa aims to scale capacity, establishing localised regional hubs that unite local authorities, waste operators, and social housing developments into circular systems and enhancing circular models with funds from the sales of valuable secondary products.
Nish, Co-Founder of Kapdaa, commented:
“The UK textile sector stands at a critical juncture where policy, environmental responsibility, and commercial necessity intersect. By establishing transparent, AI-enabled sorting and processing infrastructure right here in the UK, we are bridging the gap between waste generation and high-value manufacturing. The strong uptake of our commercial trials demonstrates that the industry is ready for scalable, data-verified circular business models. As we scale in 2027, our goal is to empower brands, councils, and waste managers to turn complex textile liabilities into sustainable, decarbonising built environment solutions.”
Greyparrot | Cheshire West Recycling uses waste intelligence to raise contamination removal by 12% and model DRS impact
Cheshire West Recycling (CWR), the council-owned company that collects recycling from around 170,000 households across Cheshire West and Chester each week, has increased the amount of contamination removed at its manual sorting cabin by 12% over the past year, using continuous composition data from the Greyparrot Analyzer at its materials recovery facility (MRF) in Ellesmere Port.
The same data has identified more than 100 tonnes of aluminium lost to the mixed plastics bale since installation, worth more than £100,000 in lost revenue, and is being used to model the impact of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) on CWR’s material income ahead of its planned launch in England in October 2027.
CWR’s MRF processes approximately 35,000 tonnes of material a year. With MF Regulations sampling requirements, Simpler Recycling and DRS changing both the reporting burden and the composition of kerbside material, smaller operators face the same planning questions as national ones. Before installation, CWR’s managing director Jody Sherratt described decisions on material flow, staffing and maintenance as “touch and feel”.
From throughput to quality at the sorting cabin
CWR reduced line throughput by around 13% while total tonnes processed held broadly steady, giving pickers more time to identify and remove contamination. It also improved blending so that material reaches the cabin as a steady stream rather than in surges. Analyzer data now feeds directly into CWR’s own Power BI dashboards, where the team uses it to:
- Compare shift productivity against targets and incoming volumes
- Schedule planned maintenance on Fridays, based on how far through the week’s material the site typically is by that point
- Manage seasonal peaks with the same headcount, stockpiling through the January surge and catching up in February
An investment case and a DRS forecast
Continuous monitoring has also shown CWR’s eddy current separator increasingly underperforming. The business is now assessing a replacement, with Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) funding factored into the payback case.
“One of the things we’re looking at is around aluminium loss into the plastic stream, and then obviously we can monetize that and look at payback period for investment through the EPR funding,” said Jody Sherratt, Managing Director at Cheshire West Recycling.
CWR has also used Analyzer data to estimate the material income it could lose once PET bottles and cans leave the kerbside stream under DRS, and has taken that analysis to the council and its board. For EPR, the site now has full tonnage data broken down by category, including plastics, steel and drinks cans, rather than relying on small manual samples.
“We’re expecting DRS to have quite a big impact for us. We’ve got a huge loss of material income there potentially. We’ve done an analysis using the Greyparrot data, which has told us roughly what the figure is we think we might potentially lose, and we’re talking huge sums. So we’re able to raise that with the council and with our board,” said Sherratt. “When you boil it down, you can benefit from it whether you’re a small MRF or a massive operation really.”
Measuring equipment effectiveness
The case study follows Greyparrot’s launch in September of a patent-pending Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE) dashboard for MRFs and plastics recovery facilities, as reported by Circular Online. The dashboard scores availability, performance and quality shift by shift using real-time composition data rather than manual spreadsheets, and is initially available to select Analyzer customers with site-wide installations.
“Recovery facilities are industrial plants, competing with virgin production of materials,” said Mikela Druckman, Co-founder and CEO of Greyparrot.
Read the full Cheshire West Recycling case study here.
FCC Environment | New partnership launches to support local families through donations at recycling centres
A new partnership between FCC Environment, West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) and Baby Basics Northampton is set to make it easier for residents to donate essential items to families in need, while reducing waste across West Northamptonshire.
From this month, residents visiting WNC’s Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) in Brixworth, Daventry, Ecton Lane, Farthinghoe, Sixfields or Towcester will be encouraged to donate pre-loved baby items, including clothing, toiletries, and equipment, as part of a coordinated effort to support vulnerable families across the county.
Baby Basics Northampton, a volunteer-led charity that provides essential items to families facing financial hardship, will work alongside FCC Environment to collect and redistribute donated items. The initiative ensures that good-quality, usable items are diverted from waste streams and instead reused to directly benefit local households.
The partnership brings together environmental responsibility and community support:
- Reducing waste: Items that might otherwise be thrown away will be reused, supporting sustainability goals.
- Supporting families: Donations will help meet the increasing demand for baby essentials across West Northamptonshire.
- Convenient giving: Residents can easily donate items during routine trips to HWRCs.
What Can Be Donated
Residents are encouraged to donate clean, good-quality items such as:
- Baby clothes (0–3 months)
- Nappies, wipes, and toiletries (new and unopened)
- Moses baskets, baby baths and sterilisers (subject to safety standards. No electrical items)
- Blankets and bedding suitable for moses baskets
Clear signage will be installed at participating sites to guide residents on how and where to donate.
Working Together for the Community
Sarah Markham, Assistant Reuse Development Manager at FCC Environment said:
“This initiative is a great example of how collaboration can deliver real benefits for our community. By working with Baby Basics Northampton, we can ensure that items donated at our recycling centres go directly to families who need them most, while also reducing waste and promoting reuse.”
Cllr Nigel Stansfield, WNC’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Recycling and Waste, said:
“This partnership shows how small actions can make a big difference. By donating good-quality baby items that are no longer needed, residents can help give families across West Northamptonshire the essentials they need, while supporting a more sustainable approach to reducing waste and encouraging reuse.”
Gemma Stammers, Operations Coordinator at Baby Basics Northampton added:
“We are incredibly grateful for this partnership. Demand for our support continues to grow with 1 in 14 babies born in the county receiving a starter pack from our charity, and donations like these make a huge difference to local families. Making it easy for people to donate at recycling centres is a simple but powerful idea.”
Get Involved
Residents across West Northamptonshire are encouraged to support the scheme by donating suitable items at any one of the six Household Waste Recycling Centres. Every donation helps provide a newborn with the essentials they need for a safe and healthy start in life.
Bucher Municipal | Hydro-excavation: finding the right machine for the job
As utility networks become increasingly congested and contractors face growing pressure to work safely around buried services, hydro-excavation is becoming an increasingly relevant option for targeted civil engineering and maintenance work.
But not every excavation requires the size, reach or operating capacity of a large dedicated suction excavator.
That is the thinking behind the Bucher MaxPowa V80 Hydrovac, which combines hydro-excavation capability with the established sweeping functionality of Bucher’s 18-tonne V80 platform.
Designed primarily for smaller, reactive excavations, the V80 Hydrovac uses high-pressure water to loosen compacted material before removing it through an 8-inch suction system. The approach is particularly suited to work around buried utilities, where controlled excavation can help reduce reliance on mechanical digging immediately around services.
Water can also provide an advantage in difficult ground conditions. While conventional suction excavation commonly uses compressed air and an air lance to break up material, high-pressure water can prove particularly effective in compacted soils and heavy clay.
The V80’s specification reflects its intended application. With an 8m³ hopper on an 18-tonne chassis, it is aimed at targeted excavations, trial holes, service exposure, maintenance and repair work rather than major bulk excavation projects.
Its boom arrangement is similarly straightforward. Rather than using the boom itself to disturb the ground, excavation is undertaken using the high-pressure water system, with the boom used to position the suction pipe.
There are operational benefits elsewhere too. Because water suppresses much of the dust produced during excavation, the V80 does not require the multiple inline filter systems associated with many dry suction excavators. This removes a routine cleaning and maintenance requirement and can help maintain consistent productivity.
Perhaps the most significant difference, however, is asset utilisation.
Once excavation work is complete, the V80 remains a fully functioning heavy-duty road sweeper. For contractors whose excavation requirements may be intermittent, that creates the opportunity to use a single vehicle across utility excavation, site cleaning and conventional sweeping duties.
The result is not a replacement for every suction excavator application, nor is it intended to be. Instead, the V80 Hydrovac offers contractors an alternative for smaller excavation tasks where precision, versatility, compact dimensions and whole-life utilisation matter as much as headline suction capacity.
For plant operators looking closely at total cost of ownership, that could prove to be the more important comparison.
Washed Aggregates Trade Association | WATA wins prestigious Green Apple Environment Award
The Washed Aggregates Trade Association (WATA) is celebrating after being named a winner of the 2026 International Green Apple Environment Awards.
Selected from more than 700 entries worldwide, WATA has been recognised among this year’s leading examples of environmental best practice. The trade association will receive the award at a ceremony in the House of Lords, London in November.
The Green Apple Awards recognise organisations that are making a significant contribution to environmental improvement through innovation, commitment and measurable action.
Andy Hill, CEO of WATA, said: “We’re delighted to receive a Green Apple Environment Award. It is great recognition not just for WATA, but for the businesses and people working across the washed aggregates sector every day.”
“When WATA was established one of our key objectives was to give this sector a stronger voice and to help people understand what actually happens in a modern aggregate wash plant. Millions of tonnes of material that might otherwise be treated as waste are being recovered, processed and returned to productive use every year.”
“This award recognises WATA’s work to raise awareness of the environmental contribution of the sector and its role in supporting a more circular construction economy.”
WATA was formed in 2024 to bring greater recognition to a sector that recovers and processes millions of tonnes of construction, demolition and excavation (CDE) waste every year, transforming it into valuable recycled aggregates, sands and other mineral materials.
The trade body represents businesses across the washed aggregates sector, including wash plant operators, equipment suppliers and specialist service providers.
Its members collectively process an estimated 20.5 million tonnes of CDE waste each year, producing around 8-9 million tonnes of cleaned and sized sand, a further 8-9 million tonnes of recycled aggregate products and between 2-4 million tonnes of fine mineral materials suitable for reuse.
More than 95% of construction, demolition and excavation waste processed through aggregate wash plants is diverted from landfill. By recovering valuable materials from this waste, the sector is helping to supplement supplies of finite primary aggregates and make better use of the resources already available.
Gavin Griffiths, Chair of WATA, said:”We’re still a relatively young organisation, so to receive this recognition at this stage is a fantastic achievement. It belongs to our members, our board and everyone working across the sector to recover resources, reduce waste and keep materials in productive use.”
“The UK needs a secure supply of construction materials. Washed recycled aggregates have an important complementary role to play alongside primary aggregates, helping to make better use of the resources we already have and improving the resilience of the overall supply chain.”
The Green Apple Awards are organised by The Green Organisation, an independent, non-profit organisation founded in 1994 to recognise, reward and promote environmental excellence worldwide.
For further information about the awards visit: www.thegreenorganisation.info/.
Fleetclear | Fleetclear launches StreetVision – an AI-powered platform turning fleets into mobile intelligence networks
The new technology was demonstrated to guests at OnTrack, Fleetclear’s exclusive fleet technology event at Dunsfold Aerodrome, home of the former Top Gear test track, on Tuesday 8 September.
At the heart of StreetVision is Fleetclear’s AI-powered visual intelligence platform, developed through significant investment in artificial intelligence, computer vision and large-scale image analysis. The technology is designed to scale across multiple operational applications, analysing large volumes of vehicle imagery and converting the information into structured data that can be used to support operational decision-making.
Fleetclear Chief Technology Officer Chris Waller believes the technology represents a significant shift in how vehicle cameras can be used.
“Fleet vehicles travel the same roads and communities every day, capturing an extraordinary amount of information about what is happening around them. Until now, there has been no practical way to turn that volume of visual data into usable operational intelligence at scale. StreetVision changes that.”
Traditionally, fleet technology has focused primarily on the vehicle itself – where it is, how it is being driven and whether it is operating efficiently. StreetVision applies artificial intelligence to extend that focus to the environment around the vehicle.
As fleets carry out their normal daily operations, AI allows their vehicles to become mobile sources of information, continually observing the streets, working environments and communities they travel through, with the ability to automatically identify issues such as road defects, litter and non-PPE compliance.
Gavin Thoday, Chief Executive Officer, Fleetclear, commented: “The real opportunity with AI isn’t always in deploying more technology,” he said. “It’s in making far better use of what’s already there. StreetVision turns existing infrastructure into something more intelligent, more valuable and capable of delivering insights that simply weren’t possible before.”
By analysing activity across large numbers of vehicle movements, the platform can provide a much broader picture of what is happening across an operation than would be possible through individual observations or manual checks.
The technology is already being used to support reversing safety, automatically analysing reversing activity and identifying factors such as the presence of pedestrians, crew positioning and PPE compliance.
For fleet operators, the potential goes beyond individual safety events. Many operational decisions are based on observations: a supervisor carries out a check, a resident reports a problem, an audit identifies an issue, or an incident triggers an investigation.
Continuous analysis of routine journeys provides another layer of intelligence, helping operators identify patterns and emerging issues rather than simply responding after something has happened.
Chris Waller added: “The biggest safety benefit is simple: you can see far more of what is happening across the operation. That means you can identify recurring risks earlier, intervene sooner and reduce the chance of a serious incident occurring.”
For fleet managers, this could mean moving from relying on isolated incidents, reports and manual inspections towards a much more comprehensive view of day-to-day activity.
“There is a lot of discussion about what AI might do in the future,” said Chris. “StreetVision is about what it can do now. It gives organisations visibility across their operations on a scale that was previously impossible and turns that visibility into information they can act on. That is where the real value is.”
Probe Industries launches first-of-its-kind combined high-pressure dust suppression cannon with water-efficient atomiser mode
Probe Industries, a global innovator in sustainable industrial odour and dust control technology, announces the launch of its new ProDual Dust Cannon™, a two-in-one unit that combines a high-pressure cannon mode for long-range dust control with a fine droplet atomiser mode to address a wide range of dust and odour challenges in a single mobile platform.
Designed for manufacturing and processing sites including landfills, recycling and waste management operations, transfer stations, biomass facilities, soil remediation projects, chemical plants and large construction and demolition sites, the ProDual Dust Cannon’s dual functionality enables water pressure and consumption to be varied in situ depending on need. When switching modes, an integrated pump adjusts water flow to optimise performance while supporting water efficiencies.
Victoria Taylor, CEO at Probe Industries comments, “Effective dust and odour management are central to a waste and industrial site’s operational efficiencies, regulatory compliance, community relations, and, ultimately, licence to operate. Previously, operators have been forced to implement and manage separate systems, suppliers and operating procedures for dust and odour control, often at high water and labour cost.”
“Our ProDual Dust Cannon offers an alternative long-range versatile platform that addresses both long range and shorter range dust and odour management in a single system. For site managers, that means fewer complaints, simpler compliance and a more sustainable site operation; and for the business, a single unit simplifies procurement, reduces capital spend and cuts ongoing training and maintenance costs.”
In cannon mode, the ProDual Dust Cannon delivers a focused mist with a range of 40-50 metres and 360 degree rotation for highly effective long-range dust suppression. In atomiser mode, a purpose-built fan extends the system’s reach beyond a typical short-range unit to treat larger odour zones using less water and with fewer machines.
The rotary atomiser is engineered to optimise every droplet size for odour neutralisation, resulting in up to two thirds less water consumption than typical nozzle-based systems that lose a significant proportion of water through ineffective droplets.
Designed for real-world site conditions, the mobile ProDual Dust Cannon can be moved quickly between zones as work progresses, requiring only a single water supply.
The ProDual Dust Cannon is available now for order and demonstration. For more information, technical specifications, or to arrange a site trial, contact Abigail Dodwell, Chief Marketing Officer, Probe Industries at Abi@probeindustries.co.uk, or visit Probe Industries.
Dennis Eagle | Dennis Eagle announces availability of CrewSense AI for enhanced RCV operator awareness at RWM Expo 2026
Dennis Eagle, the UK’s industry leader in the design and manufacture of refuse collection vehicles (RCVs), today announces the availability of CrewSense AI for integration across its vehicles.
Showcased at Resource & Waste Management (RWM) Expo, held on 16-17 September 2026 at the NEC Birmingham, the AI-powered camera system enhances situational awareness at the rear of the vehicle, helping to improve operational behaviours, reduce near-miss incidents, and minimise downtime.
Real-time behavioural awareness helps identify and address at-risk actions
CrewSense AI is the only operational behaviour system fully integrated with Dennis Eagle’s Olympus body range, currently available across Terberg OmniDEL and OmniDEKA bin lifts. Designed specifically for the demanding operating environment of the waste industry, the system provides real-time behavioural awareness in critical working zones to help support RCV crews during daily collections. CrewSense AI detects operators working at the rear of the RCV and automatically responds to non-standard operating actions, encouraging best practice and improving crew confidence.
“CrewSense AI provides an additional layer of awareness at the rear of our vehicles, supporting crews to address at-risk behaviour to help reduce incidents,” said Simon McCulloch, Technical Sales Manager at Dennis Eagle. “Developed by our specialist engineering team, the fully integrated solution provides a reliable, intuitive experience that enhances daily operations and gives greater confidence to crews.”
For fleet operators, CrewSense AI is able to capture data via the company’s Terberg Connect diagnostics tool, enabling accurate incident reporting and supporting fleet reviews. Demonstrations of the system will be made available over the coming months.
OmniWeigh helps derive greater value from waste data
At RWM Expo 2026, Dennis Eagle will also showcase its OmniWeigh dynamic weighing system. OmniWeigh captures the weight of individual bins and waste streams during collections, generating insights into material volumes, resident behaviour, and regional trends. This enables operators to optimise routes, improve efficiency, and make better informed fleet management decisions.
Purpose-built to integrate with Terberg and Dennis Eagle bin lifts, OmniWeigh ensures exceptional accuracy as bins are weighed 80 times in just 0.5 seconds. Overweight bins can be rejected, while a cumulative weight function prevents overloading.
New ORUS 11HD increases payload for growing food waste collections
Alongside CrewSense AI and OmniWeigh, Terberg Matec UK is showcasing its latest compact satellite RCV, the ORUS 11HD. Developed to meet increasing demand driven by Simpler Recycling legislation, the ORUS 11HD offers a market-leading payload of 7,800kg.
Featuring an 11m3 watertight, leakproof body, the ORUS 11HD expands the business’ popular ORUS range that previously spanned volumes of 5m3 to 7m3. The larger capacity model is ideally suited to commercial food waste and glass collections.
“The waste industry is under increasing pressure to improve operations, maximise efficiency, and respond to legislation; RWM Expo provides an opportunity to demonstrate how we’re helping fleet operators address some of the industry’s biggest challenges,” continues McCulloch. “CrewSense AI, OmniWeigh, and the ORUS 11HD have all been developed to deliver innovative, practical benefits that help our customers operate with greater confidence and more efficiency.”
EPIC | EPIC Golf Day Raises £1,769 for Andy’s Man Club
EPIC has raised £1,769 so far for ANDYSMANCLUB at its annual Golf Day, held on Wednesday 9 September 2026 at the Weald of Kent Golf Course & Hotel.
Customers, suppliers, partners and friends of EPIC came together for a beautiful sunny day of golf, networking and fundraising in support of the men’s suicide prevention charity.
ANDYSMANCLUB offers free-to-attend peer-to-peer support groups across the UK and online, providing safe spaces for men to talk and working to challenge the stigma surrounding men’s mental health.
EPIC was delighted to welcome Aaron Davies, Area Lead from ANDYSMANCLUB, who joined guests on the day and spoke about the charity’s work and the importance of encouraging men to talk.
Funds were raised through hole sponsorship, raffle tickets, auctions and competitions throughout the day.
EPIC extends its sincere thanks to everyone who attended and contributed, with particular thanks to Fleetclear, RVS – Refuse Vehicle Solutions, PALFINGER UK and the Weald of Kent Golf Course & Hotel for their sponsorship, prize donations and contribution to the event.
Nicola Welfare, General Manager at EPIC, said:
“The Golf Day is always a great opportunity to bring people together, and the response from everyone involved this year was fantastic.”
“We’re incredibly proud to have raised £1,769 so far for ANDYSMANCLUB. It was a really enjoyable day, but more importantly, it gave us an opportunity to support a cause that can make a genuine difference to men and their families. Thank you to everyone who helped make it possible.”
EPIC would also like to congratulate all of the team and individual competition winners and thank everyone who played, donated, bought raffle tickets, bid in the auction or took part in the fundraising activities.
The money raised will support ANDYSMANCLUB in continuing to provide its free peer-to-peer groups and raise awareness of men’s mental health across the UK.
For anyone who would still like to contribute, EPIC’s fundraising page remains open: https://www.justgiving.com/page/epic-andysmanclub.
Vernacare | Vernacare’s Sharpsafe® Range Achieves AS 23907:2023 Conformance with 20N Penetration Resistance Across Sizes from 0.2L to 60L
Milestone demonstrates consistent sharps injury protection across the majority of the Sharpsafe® portfolio.
Vernacare is proud to announce that the its Sharpsafe® sharps container range has achieved conformance to AS 23907:2023, the latest Australian standard for sharps injury protection.
A key highlight of this achievement is the successful demonstration of 20N penetration resistance across Sharpsafe® containers ranging from 0.2L to 60L, providing healthcare professionals with confidence that the same high level of protection is available across a wide range of clinical applications and care settings.
AS 23907:2023 sets stringent requirements for the design, performance, and safety of sharps containers used in healthcare environments. The standard includes testing for penetration resistance, stability, leakage prevention, closure integrity, drop performance, and overall user safety, helping to ensure that sharps containers provide effective protection throughout their intended use.
The successful conformance of the majority of the Sharpsafe® portfolio reinforces Vernacare’s commitment to delivering innovative, high-quality solutions that support healthcare worker safety, regulatory compliance, and best practice sharps waste management.
“Achieving conformance to AS 23907:2023 is a significant milestone for Vernacare and our Sharpsafe® range,” said Jenna Davies-Leach, Global Product Manager TechMCIWM.
“What makes this achievement particularly noteworthy is the successful demonstration of 20N penetration resistance across our Sharpsafe® range from 0.2L through to 60L. Healthcare professionals need confidence that every sharps container they use, regardless of capacity, provides a high level of protection against sharps injury risks.
“This achievement reflects Vernacare’s commitment to rigorous product design, testing, and quality assurance. It provides healthcare providers, procurement teams, and our global distribution partners with added assurance that the Sharpsafe® range delivers the safety, reliability, and performance expected under the latest Australian standard.”
Sharps injuries continue to present a significant risk to healthcare workers, waste management professionals, patients, and local communities. The demonstrated 20N penetration resistance across such a broad product range highlights the robust design and engineering behind Sharpsafe®, helping to support safer handling, transportation, and disposal of clinical sharps waste.
Trusted by healthcare providers worldwide, Sharpsafe® containers are used across acute hospitals, community care settings, outpatient facilities, primary care environments, and specialist clinical services. The portfolio has been developed to help reduce the risk of sharps injuries while supporting effective waste segregation and infection prevention practices.
The achievement also strengthens Vernacare’s offering within the Australian healthcare market, providing distributors and healthcare organisations with additional confidence that Sharpsafe® meets the latest performance expectations for sharps containment and safety.
As healthcare systems continue to place increasing emphasis on protecting frontline workers and preventing avoidable needlestick injuries, Vernacare remains committed to investing in product innovation, independent testing, and continuous improvement to support safer healthcare environments worldwide.
Podback | Co-op and Podback expand coffee pod recycling to over 200 stores
Coffee pod recycling points are expanding to more than 200 Co-op stores following the success of a trial between the leading convenience retailer and Podback, the coffee pod recycling service.
The roll-out of the expanded trial is now underway with dedicated Podback recycling points being installed in Co-op stores located across the south-west of England and South Wales to bring quick and convenient coffee pod recycling to more local comunities.
The partnership began with a 30-store trial, launched in November 2025, including Co-op’s ‘sustainability showcase stores’ – stores such as Co-op’s new store in Attleborough, Norfolk which is designed to test and demonstrate new ideas, technologies and solutions that can reduce environmental impact, improve energy efficiency and further support Co-op’s ongoing commitment to responsible retailing.
The initial 30-store trial saw eight tonnes of pods returned by residents in Co-op’s communities. equivalent to over 500,000 used pods.
Commenting on the expansion of the partnership, Podback Executive Director Rick Hindley, said: “This is another very positive step for Podback as we expand our nationwide drop-off network, and give more people more ways to recycle coffee pods locally. We’re confident that our partnership with Co-op stores in local high streets and communities is going to make a significant positive contribution to our ongoing work to provide simple and convenient ways to recycle coffee pods. We’re excited to see how our relationship with Co-op continues to develop.”
Scott McHarg, Head of Sustainability, Co-op, said: “We’re focussed on delivering social value to our members, customers and communities on the issues they care about, and support them in making sustainable choices and reducing their environmental impact. Our stores are created to be more than just a shop, with a range of added services to make everyday life easier for consumers. We’re delighted to see the Podback trial succeed and grow, it provides an easy and convenient way for communities to make small changes to their everyday life that can create a positive and lasting impact for our planet and natural environment.”
Podback accepts plastic and aluminium beverage pods sold by its member brands, which customers can recycle at more than 1500 drop-off points across the UK. Through Podback plastic and aluminium are recovered and recycled by UK-based reprocessors and coffee grounds are transformed into renewable energy (biogas) and soil improver for agriculture.
Consumers can find their nearest Podback recycling point via Podback.org/recycling-map.
Vision Techniques | Vision Techniques return to Blackburn after a successful RWM and ESS
Commercial Vehicle Safety and Security specialists, Vision Techniques, have returned to their head office following a successful appearance at the Resource and Waste Management Expo (RWM) and Environmental Services and Solutions Expo (ESS).
The long established company returned to the NEC in Birmingham on September 16 and 17, engaging with both new and existing customers while showcasing their latest innovations in vehicle safety and security including their VT LoadSafe system.
A highlight of their stand this year was their VT Fast Putt Golf Competition, which proved to be a crowd favourite.
Attendees were invited to compete for the highest score putting all seven golf balls the fastest within 90 seconds, with the top scorer across both days winning a luxurious night away for two in the Cotswolds and a meal at The Farmers Dog, Jeremy Clarkson’s Proper British Pub.
The winning score of just 25 seconds secured the coveted prize. Well done to Callum Kelly!
Our winner has now been contacted and Vision Techniques wants to say a big thank you to all those who took part and to all those who they networked with.
Managing Director Dave Smith said: “What a brilliant expo! We loved returning to the RWM in September to network and reconnect with many of our customers, both existing and new.
“I had the chance to pop down on the Wednesday and it was great to walk around the expo and explore all the new innovations coming to the industry.
“I also enjoyed seeing everyone’s response to the golf competition – who doesn’t love Jeremy Clarkson.
“On behalf of myself and the team we would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took the time to stop and chat with us, we look forward to seeing you all again in the future.
“Congratulations to our competition winner too, well deserved!”
To find out more about Vision Techniques’ products go to: www.vision-techniques.com.
Beyondly | Quality EPR data is more than a compliance requirement, it is a commercial advantage
As packaging regulations in the UK and beyond become more detailed and costs become more closely linked to packaging choices, good data is becoming fundamental to commercial decision-making. For producers, the question is no longer simply whether they have enough data to comply, but whether they have enough confidence in that data to plan ahead.
For many businesses, packaging data has traditionally been viewed through a compliance lens; collecting the information, completing the return and moving on to the next reporting deadline.
As Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) increases the financial impact of packaging choices, the quality of a producer’s data is becoming increasingly important. Accurate, reliable data helps businesses understand their costs, manage risk and make more informed decisions.
Accurate packaging weights, material classifications and volumes give producers a much clearer picture of their EPR obligations. Poor-quality data can do the opposite. Incorrect weights or classifications can result in liabilities being overstated or understated, making it harder for businesses to know what they are likely to pay and why.
That uncertainty does not stay within the compliance team. It quickly becomes a finance, procurement, sustainability and commercial burden.
Better data means better financial planning
When the underlying packaging data is reliable, finance teams can build more credible budgets and assess how changes in sales, packaging formats or fee structures could affect future costs.
Businesses can also start asking more useful questions. Which products are driving the greatest packaging costs? Which materials create the biggest exposure? What would happen if we reduced the weight of a component, changed material or redesigned a particular format?
Good data allows producers to model these scenarios before making decisions. Rather than responding to a compliance cost after it has happened, businesses have an opportunity to understand the potential impact in advance.
That is an important shift. It turns packaging data from something collected principally for reporting into information that can support investment and commercial strategy.
It can also help producers prioritise. Few businesses can redesign every packaging format at once, but detailed information can highlight where changes are likely to deliver the greatest financial and environmental return.
RAM 2027 raises the importance of getting the detail right
The need for reliable data becomes even clearer when looking at the Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM).
RAM 2027 has now been published for the 2027 reporting year. Large producers within scope of EPR will be required to use it to assess the recyclability of relevant household packaging they supply. Packaging is assessed through the recycling process and ultimately receives a red, amber or green rating, with those ratings influencing the waste disposal fees producers pay through fee modulation.
For producers, this makes detailed knowledge of packaging composition and format increasingly valuable.
Preparing for RAM 2027 should therefore not be treated simply as another exercise to complete when a reporting deadline arrives. Businesses that understand their packaging portfolio now can identify potential areas of exposure earlier, investigate gaps in their information and consider changes while there is still time to influence future outcomes.
The regulatory direction is wider than UK EPR
The EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) entered into application on 12 August 2026. It establishes a broader framework covering packaging placed on the EU market, including requirements relating to areas such as packaging composition, recyclability, reuse and waste prevention, with individual measures applying according to different implementation dates.
For businesses placing packaging on the EU market, understanding exactly what packaging is made from, how it is designed and where it is used is becoming increasingly important.
That makes good data infrastructure valuable beyond any single piece of regulation. Businesses need packaging information that is accurate, accessible and capable of being used for different purposes rather than repeatedly rebuilding datasets every time a new requirement, customer question or internal project emerges.
The same principle applies commercially. Customers are increasingly asking suppliers for information such as packaging weights, material breakdowns and recycled-content data. Having this information readily available can improve both the speed and consistency of responses.
The commercial value of quality packaging data
There will always be a compliance requirement behind packaging data. Producers need to report accurately and retain the evidence to support what they submit. However, that should be the starting point, rather than the full extent of its value.
A producer that can see where its packaging costs arise, understand the quality of the information behind them and model the impact of potential changes is in a much stronger position to make decisions.
As EPR develops, RAM 2027 approaches and PPWR requirements continue to take effect, that visibility will become increasingly valuable.
Ultimately, good data provides something every business wants; greater certainty. Certainty over what needs to be reported. Greater confidence in what the business is likely to pay. A clearer view of where risks sit, and better evidence for deciding where packaging changes could deliver both commercial and environmental value.
That is when packaging data stops being simply a compliance requirement and starts becoming a commercial asset.
“In the current and future political landscape, quality data and supply chain transparency has moved from a nice-to-have, to a commercial advantage. Those that don’t harness this now will be left with higher costs, not only compliance costs, but also time and money wasted in last minute packaging redesigns. You need to ask yourself; when is too late to prepare; at the last minute, or when you’ve lost your position in the market? Taking proactive steps now is a necessity to make your data work for you and optimise the opportunities EPR and PPWR present.”
Michael Jennings, Policy and Public Affairs Advisor at Beyondly.
Contel | Contel celebrates successful RWM Expo 2026
Vehicle technology specialist Contel has welcomed a successful RWM Expo 2026, bringing its approach to connected fleet safety and operational intelligence to the local authority waste and recycling sector.
The event, held at the NEC Birmingham on 16 and 17 September, provided an opportunity for Contel to meet waste and recycling professionals in the LARAC Lounge and explore how vehicle technology can support safer, more efficient services.
Contel’s focus was on the practical needs of fleet operators: protecting crews and other road users, improving visibility of vehicle activity and making operational data easier to use.
Its offering includes Contel AI, the company’s AI-enabled camera and vehicle safety platform; Contel Connected, its integrated telematics solution; and Binsight, which helps operators turn food waste collection data into actionable intelligence. Together, these technologies support a connected approach to fleet management, helping teams draw useful information from their vehicle systems.
Andy Kelly, Co-CEO and Founder of Contel:
“RWM was a valuable opportunity to spend time with the people responsible for delivering waste and recycling services and to understand what they need from their fleet technology.”
“For us, success starts with those conversations. Our Service before Sales approach means understanding an operator’s challenges and identifying where we can provide practical support, from choosing the right systems to installation and ongoing service.”
For local authorities managing demanding collection operations, the value of vehicle technology extends beyond the equipment itself. Effective integration, reliable information and access to technical support all help teams put their systems to use in day-to-day service delivery.
Contel combines its technology portfolio with professional installation, integration and ongoing support from an experienced UK-based team. Its wider range includes mobile digital video recording, vulnerable road-user protection, radar braking and 360-degree camera systems.
Following RWM, Contel welcomes further conversations with waste and recycling operators looking to strengthen fleet safety and make better use of their operational data.
