The UK's Environment Minister has paid a visit to a recycling site in Essex to observe the collecting and processing of non-ferrous metals and catalytic converters.

Dan Norris made the visit as part of an initiative organised by the British Metals Recycling Association (BMRA) to discuss the various challenges facing the recycling industry.

In addition, Mr Norris was taken to a metals recycler in Kent for briefings on shredder operations, large-scale metal processing, End-of-Life Vehicles and export shipping.

"This visit shows the UK has a strong metal recycling industry that makes a major contribution to UK waste recovery and exports and is saving world energy demands - helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions," he said, according to Recycling Today.

"We need to see more and more metal being recycled, encouraging the industry while providing the right amount of safeguards to protect the environment and keep out rogue operators."

The two parties also held talks about industry issues such as the Waste Framework Directive and Defra's plans to change environmental permitting procedures.

Catalytic converters contain pgms such as platinum, palladium and occasionally rhodium, and are in huge demand from the auto industry, which uses them in vehicles' engines to help reduce harmful emissions.

Source:

UK Environment Minister Holding Discussions with Metals Recyclers (02/12/09)

© Adfero Ltd