Press release - 05 Mar 2010

SITA Cornwall operation meets Eco-Management Audit Scheme (EMAS) regulation

SITA Cornwall’s materials recycling facility (MRF) at Pool has been awarded EMAS certification following the external scrutiny and testing of its environmental procedures and compliance with environmental regulation.

Phil Rudin, SITA UK’s Regional Manager for Devon and Cornwall, said: “The active management of environmental performance at our sites is very important to us and it is a great achievement for our team at Pool MRF to attain EMAS standard.

“To reach this level requires outstanding practice across many areas, including the ability to communicate environmental information effectively, to train and develop our staff in areas such as health and safety and to demonstrate compliance with environmental legislation”, he added.

EMAS is designed to promote environmental improvement by committing organisations to evaluate and improve their environmental performance. The benefits of EMAS include greater environmental protection, increased fuel efficiency and reduced electricity and water consumption. EMAS also requires that a site must be 100 per cent compliant to all relevant legislation.

Pool MRF receives recyclable material from commercial and domestic sources and sorts and bales these before sending them on to end processors.  During the reporting period (August 2008 – July 2009) Pool MRF processed over 21,000 tonnes of materials, sending nearly 99 per cent of these on for recycling. It did not receive any non-compliances against its contract with the Council and no complaints were raised by the public or local businesses for either litter or any other issues.

Pool MRF joins SITA UK’s Isle of Man energy-from-waste facility in obtaining this landmark achievement.