Supermarket managers have responded positively to a bid by Athens Mayor Nikitas Kaklamanis to start replacing plastic bags with more environmentally friendly fabric equivalents or reusable heavy-duty plastic ones, City Hall said, according to ekathimerini.com. The initiative, an extension of Kaklamanis‘‘s campaign to boost recycling, aims to reduce the amount …
Mais »USA – Americans recycle a third of MSW
New data released by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows that Americans generated 251 million tons (Mt) of municipal solid waste and recycled and composted 82 Mt (about 32.5 per cent) in 2006. Each American generated 4.6 pounds of waste each day, of which about 1.5 pounds were recycled. …
Mais »England – framework for pay-as-you-throw begins to take shape
The framework that will allow a small number of local authorities in England to pilot incentives for people to reduce, reuse and recycle waste has been set out by Waste and Recycling Minister Joan Ruddock. Under powers included in the Climate Change Bill, a maximum of five local authorities will …
Mais »Canada – turning dirty diapers into diesel
If a generation that prides itself on being green is to be defined by its aggressive pursuit of energy efficiency and alternative sources of electricity and fuel, then maybe it‘‘s time we ditched the label "waste" and "garbage", according to the Toronto Star. Is a used diaper, for example, just …
Mais »Japan – clothing take-back for recycling and reuse
With the increasing amount of clothing entering the waste stream in the UK and responsibility for end-of-life products being placed upon producers, solutions for diverting this waste/resource from landfill are needed. One country that has faced similar problems to the UK (for example limited landfill space and increase in the …
Mais »Scotland – householders encouraged to ‘love food hate waste’
A campaign to reduce the amount of food waste Scotland generates each year has been launched by Environment Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead and leading nutritionist and TV presenter Nell Nelson. Entitled Love Food Hate Waste, the nation-wide initiative – which has the backing of leading Scottish chefs including Nick Nairn, …
Mais »UK – new project to demonstrate manufacturing of wood plastic composites using recycled MDF
WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) has announced the launch of an innovative project to demonstrate whether recycled medium density fibreboard (MDF) can be used in place of virgin wood flour in the manufacture of wood plastic composites (WPCs). The project, being conducted by Scottish based firm Impact Laboratories, will …
Mais »Japan – Kitakyushu starts pilot production of ethanol from food waste
In Kitakyushu City in southern Japan, a pilot plant to produce ethanol from food waste was established as a part of the city‘‘s Eco-Town project. Japan for Sustainability reports that the city started the collection of food waste from some hospitals, elementary schools, retailers and households in the city on …
Mais »Wales – could "sink in rubbish" in less than 10 years
Wales will be sinking in its own rubbish within the next decade if new technologies are not developed and implemented, according to consultants Consultants Hyder reports that in less than seven years parts of Wales will have no landfill space left if the amount of waste generated by households, industry …
Mais »Australia – new report shows improved recycling can save 38 million tonnes CO2
Former Premier of NSW Bob Carr has argued that Governments serious about providing adequate solutions to climate change should see that recycled or recovered waste should be included in carbon emission trading schemes. Mr Carr, chair of the advisory board to the Australian Climate Institute, said a new report produced …
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