Results of a study have revealed that including metal cans – steel and aluminium – in kerbside collection schemes can offer significant benefits to local authorities. The study, funded by the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) and conducted by Dr. Julia Hummel of Eco Alternatives Ltd, examined the economic …
Mais »World – action on heavy metals among key UNEP Governing Council decisions
Governments have taken an important step forward in reducing the health and environmental risks from mercury, a heavy metal linked with a wide range of medical problems. Under an expanded mercury programme, they have asked the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to conduct a study on the amounts of mercury …
Mais »UK – illegal dumping (fly-tipping): the true picture
Rubbish is illegally dumped somewhere in England every 35 seconds, according to new figures released today which show the true extent of the menace of fly-tipping. Not only is this spoiling the local environment, but it is also costing authorities almost £100 a minute to clear up. The new information …
Mais »Israel – fixing a critical problem: used oil filters
The environmental problem-solving approach has helped Israel address the problem of water and soil contamination from used oil In 2002, the Ministry of the Environment in cooperation with the Israel Garage Association initiated a unique pioneer project for the collection of used oil from the country‘‘s garages. Today, according to …
Mais »World – traders gather for conference on the world‘s newest trading commodity: pollution
ENN, citing AP, reports that the 850 businessmen, government officials and bankers meeting in the Netherlands Tuesday are holding the first conference on the newly created market in greenhouse gases since the Kyoto Protocol on climate change went into effect. Though only an exercise in networking, the size of the …
Mais »Ireland – government urges large organisations to manage their waste better
Mr Dick Roche, TD, Ireland‘‘s Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has launched an innovative and practical programme, Action at Work, to inform large public and private sector organisations on how to reduce, reuse and recycle their waste. Action at Work, developed under the Race Against Waste campaign, …
Mais »UK – Environment Agency issues guidelines on landfill restoration
Technical guidelines on the capping and restoration of landfills have been issued by the Environment Agency for England. Developed by environmental consultancy SLR on behalf of the Agency, they offer the only official guidance in relation to landfill restoration. The document is aimed at waste planning authorities, EA staff, the …
Mais »Canada – blue box diversion in Ontario: a cost/benefit analysis of recycling targets
A new report, which uses the computing power of the Integrated Waste Management (IWM) Model, clearly shows that if packaging materials and printed materials generated from Ontario‘‘s households had recycling targets of 60 per cent put on "each material", then Blue Box costs would increase significantly and there would be …
Mais »Denmark – new information campaign on recycling batteries takes off in Copenhagen
It is the Copenhagen based incineration and disposal companies Amagerforbrænding, Vestforbrænding and R98 that have initiated the campaign which is to become national. The objective is to inform about grading of batteries and where it is possible for citizens to hand-in their used batteries. Accordingly the campaign is entitled ‘‘Bring …
Mais »Japan – Coca-Cola using energy derived from coffee and tea residues
Coca-Cola Central Japan Co. began operating a methane fermentation system at its Tokai plant in Aichi Prefecture at the end of 2004. The system produces energy from waste materials such as coffee grounds, used tea leaves and wastewater sludge. Japan for Sustainability reports that this is the first attempt to …
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