Business Weekly - Cambridge, UK

Stringent environmental laws govern the disposal of this kind of waste and created a real challenge for local can recycling company Pearsons (Thetford) Ltd and waste management specialist Vetspeed.

Pearsons had to collect 370 kilos (over 24,000) aluminium drink cans from the British Antarctic Survey in Cambridge that had been shipped 14,000 km from various BAS research stations to be recycled.

Activities in Antarctica are subject to tough green legislation. All waste is removed from the Antarctic Treaty Area (south of 60 degrees south).

In addition to cans, BAS reuses or recycles petrochemicals, printer cartridges, batteries, fluorescent tubes, waste wood and empty 45-gallon fuel drums. Next year it is looking to return paper, cardboard and plastic from the region for recycling.

For Vetspeed’s assignment it wasn’t so much Jumbo Jets as flying rhinos that were the focus of attention.

Ten of the rare white rhinos – back from the brink of extinction thanks to UK breeding programmes – were flown in from Johannesburg destined for Longleat, Colchester Zoo and other new homes.

Vetspeed was on hand to dispose of two tonnes of rhino faeces, food left-overs and other rubbish.

The company specialises in animal-based wastes.

Its regular business is in the destruction of test samples of meat imports, illegal imports and foodstuffs unfit for human consumption, although its CV has extended to the incineration of BSE control carcasses and even an occasional beached whale.

Vetspeed’s general manager Howard Jonas said: “Since the introduction of the Landfill Directive in 2000 and this year’s Animal By-Products Directive it’s illegal for carriers and Britain’s border inspection posts to dispose of such wastes in the traditional manner by sending them to the nearest landfill.

“Often the only option is specialist incineration as the UK has limited rendering capacity.”