Category: Suffolk County Council

An Ipswich charity has taken delivery of an innovative machine turning waste into useful fuel just in time for the cold winter months ahead.

Orwell Mencap Genesis were awarded almost £15,000 through the reuse and recycling grant from Suffolk County Council to purchase the equipment to help reduce the amount of waste which is sent to expensive and environmentally unsound landfill in Suffolk. Genesis previously sent around 50 tonnes of sawdust per year into landfill; all this has now been diverted.

The briquette making machine takes the sawdust, which is a by-product from the garden furniture making part of their work, and compresses it to make briquettes. These can then be sold as eco-friendly, efficient, carbon neutral fuel directly to the public.

Councillor Eddy Alcock, Portfolio Holder for Environment and Waste Management who went to see the new machinery in action said: "This project actively demonstrates that there are ways we can all reuse the waste we generate. It is vital that we reduce our dependence on landfill as the county council looks at technology to deal with leftover waste in the future."

Damien Ribbans, Business Development Manager for the charity said "We are so pleased to receive this new equipment as we will now be able to make a useful product out of what was once regarded as waste. At Genesis we are committed to making a difference both to the environment and to the people who receive services from us. Through these projects we are able to improve skills and create valued, work-based activity for those furthest from the labour market."

Suffolk County Council's reuse and recycling grant funded £175,000 worth of projects in its first year and aims to assist voluntary groups and not-for-profit organisations to deliver similar waste reduction and reuse projects up to a total of £600,000 over three years.

If you are interested in purchasing any of this fuel please contact 01473 723888 for further details. The fuel is available in 2 bag sizes; 4.5kg (£2.50) and 17kg (£8).