Wednesday Jun2 02, 2004

50,000 bottles were recycled at the 2004 London International Wine & Spirits Fair in May. Organisers, Brintex and cleaning contractor, ISS invited European Bottle Crushers Ltd to set up a mobile crushing unit, The Minimizeré, brought in to handle the 17 tonnes of glass generated over the three days.

ISS provided staff to collect bottles and arranged for storage and delivery to The Minimizeré which reduces volume of waste glass by 80 per cent and prepares the bottles for recycling into new glass containers and other products.

"With 1,246 individual exhibitors taking up the entire South Hall of ExCeL LondonLondonit really was a logistical challenge," comments James Murray, exhibition director. "Sustainability is something that has been talked about a lot in the industry and we are delighted that Brintex, in partnership with ISS have made a genuine contribution to exhibition landfill reduction."

Says ExCeL LondonLondonChief Executive, Jamie Buchan: "We are very proud of the recycling initiative at ExCeL LondonLondonand the results ISS have achieved during the last year. In fact, June recycling waste figures were up to 17.25%, of a total waste stream of 125tons. We work very closely with our organisers to recycle as much as possible and then set benchmarks for the next show in order to increase the amount recycled. We have seen some remarkable results so far and are confident that this will improve in the future and set a standard for the industry".

For more information, please contact Gemma Parkhouse at ExCeL London on 020 7069 4739 or email GemmaParkhouse@excel-london.co.uk