Nuprint criticises Government recycling red tape

Tag : household paper

Managing director Mr Lake said: "It seems crazy that my localcouncil can pick up my household recycling, but the Government doesnot allow it to take away my businesses waste paper.
"We regularly hear that councils are being subjected to increasedGovernment recycling targets, and while I am sure my modest stackof household paper may help, how much better would it be ifNewcastle Borough Council could take away the one tonne of wastegenerated weekly by Nuprint?"
A spokesman for Newcastle Borough Council said recycling wastepaper from businesses was not the authority's responsibility.
Mr Lake added: "I am not blaming the council for this situation. Itjust seems farcical that red tape means we can't do our bit tohelp."
Operations manager Mr Wilbraham said: "It's just crazy that wecan't find anyone locally to help us out. I think businesses shouldbe forced to recycle their waste and as such local councils shouldhave to provide the facilities.
"Over the last six months, we've worked hard to make sure we've gotthe smallest carbon footprint going. We try to source all oursupplies and materials locally – pretty much everything weuse is from the Stoke-on-Trent area.
"We have a policy where everything in the building is recycledwhere possible. All the paper we supply has been recycled in someshape or form."
Professor Andrew Dobson, of the North Staffordshire Green Party, pictured below , said the Government needed to make it easier for businesses tohelp the environment.
He said: "It's a ridiculous situation. One possible solution is forthe Government to broaden local authorities' remit, but then thecouncils will say it's going to cost more, which will mean puttingrates up. The Government would need to increase its help for localcouncils so they could afford to do it.
"It is making all the right noises about reducing carbon footprintsand waste streams but in the end it will have to put its moneywhere its mouth is."
Is your company affected by red tape? Email us at businessdesk@thesentinel. co.uk