R4C (Resource Recovery, Recycling and Refining Centre) refers to an advanced method of treating “black bag” waste to remove recyclates and produce a high-quality, non-polluting fuel that can be used in industrial processes. It’s a greener alternative to incineration, and one that campaigners argue could be much more cost-effective than Gloucestershire County Council’s plans to build a massive incinerator at Javelin Park. A community-interest company (CIC) called Community R4C is now being formed to make the R4C idea a reality: the plan being to undermine investment in the incinerator by taking away its business. The plant could be built long before the incinerator gets off the ground, and it could be profitable with a much lower gate fee (the charge made to businesses or councils for disposing of waste). Interest has been expressed from at least two commercial waste operators.
Community R4C (CR4C) will be community owned; it’s role is to commission the R4C project from a commercial provider (Revolution R4C). To get the project off the ground, they are issuing shares to the general public, which will eventually be paid back (with interest) from R4C profits if the project is successful. (This investment is to set up CR4C, not to fund the R4C facility itself, which will be commercially funded). To find out more about the share offer, come along to the CR4C launch event: a “Completely Rubbish Party” on Friday 15th April from 2:30pm at Stroud Brewery. The afternoon also features live jazz from Emma Ordonez, Andrew McKenzie & Pete Rosser. You could also take a look at the share prospectus.
On the same subject, there will be a seminar entitled “Talking Rubbish” on 29th April. This is hosted by Resource Magazine and chaired by Jonathan Porritt; and there will be speakers from waste consultants Eunomia and community recycling initiative Resource Futures. This will be held at the University of Gloucestershire (Park Campus), The Park, Cheltenham GL50 2RH, from 2:15pm to 4:30pm.