Curiosidades

The UK Government’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has issued a consultation document (deadline = February 3, 2003) on the treatment of catering waste containing meat in composting and biogas plants. The composting of kitchen waste is set to be allowed as long as it meets specific …

Canada’s Ministers of the Environment and Natural Resources congratulated the city of Iqaluit and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Friday as the capital city of the Nunavut Territory became the 100th Canadian municipal government to participate in a national effort to reduce greenhouse gas emissions – the Partners for Climate …

The European Commission will next year make initial proposals towards establishing EU-wide waste prevention targets, a senior environment directorate official announced at an ASSURRE conference in Brussels recently. ENDS Daily reports that a policy paper on prevention targets would be published separately from three other proposals also due next year: …

The US EPA will soon publish its proposed rule on Commercial and Industrial Solid Waste Incinerators: Emission Guidelines: Federal Plan, in the Federal Register. The proposed rule, signed by Administrator Whitman on November 6, 2002, proposes a federal plan for existing commercial and industrial solid waste incinerators (CISWI) that were …

A one-year WRAP funded project aims to help increase glass recycling. BRE-led research will assess the recycling opportunities for non-contaminated, high-grade flat glass and non-contaminated timber and plastic profiles from the demolition and replacement window industries. In case you are not familiar with WRAP, the Waste & Resources Action Programme …

A tenants association in Yamatotakada, Nara Prefecture, has opened a secondhand shop to revitalize the quiet shopping district and reduce waste. The Daily Yomiuri in Japan reports that the association, comprising 30 tenants in the Tenjinbashisuji shopping district, opened Recycle Shop Sazanka after renting an empty store in the district. …

Partnerships are crucial if eco-efficiency is to be a real business opportunity, combat increased waste and emissions and contribute towards sustainable development. That was a main message of Aiming for Eco-Efficiency in Resource Use, the third international conference of ASSURRE. “Eco-efficiency can only be achieved by diverse sectors working together …

Here is an interesting item from the California Integrated Waste Management Board, addressing the issues of cultural diversity and resource recovery, sometimes a sensitive issue for waste planners. Understanding California’s growing cultural diversity and the impact increasingly diverse communities may have on waste stream reduction and diversion programs could be …

New criteria for eco-labelled products have been approved by the European Commission. Mattresses The product group definition has been extended to the latex and polyurethane foams for use in bed mattresses when they constitute more than five per cent of its weight. The new criteria will be valid until 31 …

John Lieberman and Jim McKenna got so annoyed by the stream of promotional CDs they were getting in the mail from America Online Inc. that they wanted to give the Internet service provider a taste of its own mass-mailing practice. The two men from California have set up a website …