Curiosidades

UK – Branson plans to use plant waste to fuel aeroplanes

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 …

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USA – solid waste incinerator standards to reduce 1,900 tons pa air pollution

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. …

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Morocco – first factory to recycle plastic waste in Morocco

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 …

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Europe – study demonstrates canned food is a sustainable top performer

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 …

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Europe – Commission reviews ELV Directive targets: stakeholder group report

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. …

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UK – waste oils incineration guidance issued

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 …

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Germany – end of life apartments: new lease of life

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 …

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England – householders must take responsibility for waste or risk fines

New changes to waste regulations in England will help reduce the thousands of tonnes of household waste being fly-tipped each year, according to the Government‘‘s Department of Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra). Last year, there were 500,000 fly-tips of household rubbish; much of which was dumped by operators posing …

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Australia – Aussies not recycling enough

Australians may be using more toilet paper made from recycled material than a decade ago, but are still one of the biggest producers of waste in the world. The Age reports that a survey on the nation‘‘s recycling rates by environmental group Planet Ark, reveals Australians are recycling more than …

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Germany – taking stock of the eco-tax: benefits for climate & employment

Studies prove positive: 20 million tons less carbon dioxide and 250,000 more jobs. Germany‘‘s eco-tax introduced in 1999 has had a positive effect on climate protection and employment in Germany, as demonstrated in three current studies by the German Institute for Economic Research (DIW) and ECOLOGIC – the Institute for …

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