Rentokil leads way to protect Merseyside Wildlife

 

PEST controllers Rentokil in Kirkby are taking dramatic steps to help protect Merseyside's wildlife after implementing a new initiative to reduce the availability of its rodenticide in the environment by a minimum of 75%.

The move, the first of its kind in the industry, heralds a new era of environmentally responsible pest control that will reduce the number of birds and animals that die needlessly from poisoning.

For years the widespread use of rodenticides outdoors has been exposing wildlife to the risk of accidental poisoning. The problem affects both the small mammals that unwittingly eat the bait and their predators. Birds of prey that eat poisoned rodents are particularly susceptible to what is called 'secondary poisoning'. 

Ian Carter, ornithologist from English Nature welcomed the new initiative. He said:- "This is a problem that may be affecting not only barn owls, but many birds and animals lots of people will recognise, including buzzards, kestrels and polecats. Limiting the amount of poison used in our countryside and ensuring that all poisons are used safely and help in reducing the number of casualties."

Rentokil has now embarked on a unique strategy in which new technology and methods will significantly reduce the effects of toxic baits in the environment. Rodenticides will continue to be used as part of Rentokil's armoury against unwanted pests, but from now on they will only be used when absolutely necessary.

John Charlton, Rentokil's Technical Manager explained:- "Traditional pest control methods have become over-reliant on rodenticides, exposing wildlife unnecessarily to toxins. For instance, if a factory had a rodent problem then the accepted practice would have been to place toxic bait in boxes around the site's perimeter on a permanent basis. Long term baiting exposed wildlife to the poison long after the initial rat infestation had been dealt with. The bait would be eaten by non-target rodents such as field mice and voles, who in turn would be eaten by owls and other birds of prey, thus passing the poison up the food chain.

However, we can now use new techniques when dealing with rats and mice which focus on monitoring rodent activity and taking preventative action against infestation. Rentokil uses a combination of non-toxic baits and electronic monitoring devices to establish the extent of the rodent population. Only once an infestation has been identified will rodenticide be used and it will be removed as soon as the infestation is clear, any carcasses found will be disposed of.

Greater emphasis is also being placed on preventative methods, such as proofing buildings by blocking up holes, fixing broken drains and clearing undergrowth from around the site. Improved housekeeping can also help by ensuring that all foodstuffs attractive to rodents are stored in sealed containers.

Using this combination of different techniques means that we can continue to provide our customers with safe and effective pest control and reduce risks to our environment."

TV STAR FIONA PHILLIPS LAUNCHES CAMPAIGN TO RECYCLE MERSEYSIDE'S GLASS JARS THIS CHRISTMAS

PEOPLE in Merseyside are being urged to bank and not bin their festive food jars this Christmas, as part of a national campaign to encourage more glass recycling. 

The campaign by the trade federation, British Glass, was launched today by GMTV celebrity, Fiona Phillips. The aim of the campaign is to remind people to recycle their glass food jars as well as their bottles and also to stagger their visits to bottle banks into the New Year, to allow time for bottle banks to be emptied.

This Christmas the UK will consume almost 5.5 million jars of mincemeat, 12 million jars of pickles and 6.5 million jars of cranberry sauce all packaged in glass, but only a small percentage will get recycled. Last year, whilst some of our European neighbours recycled over 90 per cent of their glass packaging, the UK recycled 35 per cent. Recycling jars as well as bottles can help increase this figure. 

Merseyside is already playing its part in UK recycling with a yearly average of 3.39 kilograms of glass being recycled per person - the equivalent of 14 bottles and jars each. The UK average, in comparison, is 26 bottles and jars per person. 

Figures from the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) show that 747,000 tonnes of glass packaging was recycled last year. UK glass container manufacturers alone recycled 537,000 tonnes of this, the equivalent of 2 billion bottles and jars, which is enough to circle the Earth four times. Recycling just one jar or bottle saves enough energy to power a television for 20 minutes or a 100 watt light bulb for almost an hour.

At the launch Fiona said:- "Many people remember to recycle empty bottles at Christmas, but forget about recycling all the empty jars of mincemeat, cranberry sauce, mayonnaise, pickles and even the curry sauce jar they use to make left-over turkey curry. 

The great thing about glass is it can be used again and again to make more bottles and jars, so after the celebrations don't bin your glass, bank it at your local recycling centre or put it in your kerbside box. And while you're recycling the glass, don't forget your plastic bottles, cans, newspapers, Christmas tree, cards and TV guides too."

David Workman, Director General of British Glass said:- "Fifty per cent of the glass collected for recycling in the UK is green. We want to increase the amount of clear and brown glass that is being recycled, as we have the capacity to increase the percentages being used to make new bottles and jars. Many jars are made from clear glass, so by recycling your jars as well as your bottles, you really can help the environment." 

He added:- "Glass is not only an environmentally friendly packaging material but consumers prefer it to other types of packaging. Research shows that 76 per cent of consumers prefer to see glass on the table rather than plastic and 66 per cent believe food and drink tastes better out of glass. Glass is associated with quality and special celebrations, which is why many more products packaged in glass are purchased during the festive season."

Southport Reporter is a registered Trade Mark.   Copyright © Patrick Trollope 2003.