Curiosidades

The Belgian government‘‘s plans to impose a tax on non-refillable containers have twice been ruled discriminatory and annulled by the Belgian Court of Arbitration. Europen reports that the Belgian government‘‘s response has been to introduce a revised tax, now also applicable on refillable beverage containers, which took effect on 10 …

The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB) has published two interesting consultation draft reports exploring plastics which can be composted or degraded. Degradable Plastics Study (still under consultation) CIWMB launched a study on June, 2005 on degradable products (those not specifically designed to degrade in a compost facility per ASTM …

Four years after its entry into force, the implementation of the End-Of-Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive is still beset by significant problems. EurActiv reports that, according to a new study, complex administrative requirements and reluctance by some members states to impose additional costs on automakers are among the main stumbling blocks. …

An EU report into car recycling singles out Britain as one of the worst performing countries in Europe. Holland and Sweden were commended for having reached a target of recycling more than 85% of cars. Since January 2005 car owners have been obliged to take their vehicle to a registered …

An Australian company will assist millions of households replace inefficient light bulbs with free energy efficient compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs), after becoming a certified carbon abatement provider under the Australian Government‘‘s Greenhouse FriendlyT initiative. Minister for the Environment and Water Resources Malcolm Turnbull announced that Australian energy efficiency company …

New plant in Iowa will produce 50,000 tonnes pa. Mirel Natural Plastics, a family of high performance natural plastics that are biobased, sustainable and completely biodegradable will be produced by ADM and Metabolix Inc. the companies announced earlier this month. Industry Week reports that the companies formed a joint venture, …

Starting in September, waste food oil will be collected along with other recyclables and made into biodiesel, Taiwan‘‘s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has announced. The Taipei Times reports that the programme has been established in conjunction with the Ministry of Economic Affairs‘‘ Green Country project, which mandates that all diesel …

Resource Recycling reports that the City Nazim of Karachi, Pakistan has outlawed the sale or use of plastic bags less than 30 microns thick. The ban carries a penalty of three months in jail and/or a fine of $825 ($US), and is being aggressively enforced. Over 70 people have reportedly …

We know who turned water into wine. Now, reports the Timesonline, Australian scientists are going a step further – they are turning wine and beer waste into water to generate electricity. Miracles aside, man still relies on a lengthy process to make alcoholic drinks that produces tens of millions of …

According to the U. S. Environmental Protection Agency, more than 29 million tons of non-biodegradable plastic waste ends up in landfills each year. Justin Barone, associate professor of biological systems engineering at Virginia Tech, is investigating ways to create biodegradable plastics from agricultural byproducts such as poultry feathers and eggs …