Curiosidades

More than a third of organic potatoes and 40 per cent of organic carrots do not make it onto supermarket shelves, new research published by the Food Chain Centre has revealed. Freshinfo reports that with some vegetables deemed too big, too small, too misshapen, too damaged or affected by pests …

Federal Environmental Agency publishes statistics for 2004 The volume of imported waste requiring a license has once again seen a sharp increase to a level of 6.5 million tons (Mt) in 2004. As compared to the previous year, imports rose by 1.6 Mt; that is, by roughly 33 per cent. …

The Scotsman reports that Sir Richard Branson yesterday announced plans to power his planes on plant waste as a greener alternative to conventional aircraft fuel. The Virgin Atlantic chairman said he was considering opening refineries to produce cellulosic ethanol, which he claimed could replace kerosene. However, the move surprised environmental …

The US EPA is requiring new performance standards to reduce emissions of air pollutants from the last remaining category of waste incinerators requiring Clean Air Act regulation. The category is called “other solid waste incinerators” (OSWI). OSWI consist of very small municipal waste combustion units and institutional waste incineration units. …

The Morocco Times reports that the first factory for recycling plastic waste has at last seen the light of day in Morocco. Fay?al Alami and Ali Moulay Kettani have signed a partnership agreement with the group Jet International (Julian Environmental Technologies), one of the two inventors of a process related …

study carried out by Dutch environment and food institute TNO, has revealed that food packaged in steel cans is highly eco-efficient and has a high sustainability performance when compared with other packaging options. The study, which analysed the performance of packaged vegetables in terms of environmental impact, cost for the …

The European Commission is under an obligation to prepare a report for the Parliament and Council on the implementation of the EU Directive on end of life vehicles (ELVs). The Commission opted to do this using a Stakeholder Working Group consultation process, chaired by Bill Duncan – Director of ASSURRE. …

The Environment Agency for England and Wales has launched a new awareness campaign reminding companies, businesses and local mechanics to dispose of waste oil safely and legally or face tough penalties. Under the new Waste Incineration Directive – to be implemented on 28th December 2005 – companies that incinerate waste …

What to do with a tower block that no one wants to live in? The solution: pull it down, slice it up, turn it into pleasant, green family homes. The Guardian reports that it looks like many other desirable new homes: a light, spacious two-storey villa with a cool, geometric …

Compost could play a big part in managing future disease outbreaks in Australia, according to a report in ABC Online. The Australian National Emergency Management Group says it is already being used in British Columbia to dispose of bird flu-infected poultry and manure. The Northern Territory‘‘s principal veterinary officer, Kevin …