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The European paper industry has been working for several years to improve the traceability of recovered paper and has launched a major new initiative – the European Recovered Paper Identification System. The system allows the identification of recovered paper recycled in paper mills and meets both the current and expected …

A joint research project of VTT and Finnish Environment Institute has proved that development of waste management is a cost-efficient means to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases. Considerable reductions can be achieved by combustion of waste and by collecting methane from landfills. The collected methane can either be used …

ScienceDaily reports that a new test can identify take-away paper-based food containers (such as pizza boxes) that break phthalate safety rules. The phthalates (plasticisers) are present because the containers were made from pulp that contained at least some recycled paper and cardboard. In Italy, where the test was developed, this …

significant contribution to reducing energy consumption and carbon footprint The latest figures from APEAL (the Association of European Producers of Steel for Packaging) show that 66 per cent of steel packaging is recycled in Europe with strong growth recorded across the continent. That amounts to over 2.5 million tonnes of …

Japan‘‘s Ministry of the Environment released on May 30, 2007 the results of two surveys conducted in March, 2007: one survey on "customers‘‘ utilisation of plastic shopping bags and their awareness of the system for promotion of sorted collection and recycling of containers and packaging" and another survey on "retailers‘‘ …

Householders say they are being shamed into recycling after a council issued them with transparent rubbish bags. Manchester Evening News reports that waste collectors in Stockport used to issue black bags but have changed to transparent blue sacks meaning the rubbish can now be seen. Leaflets have also been sent …

Setting up of waste energy projects have to be speeded up as there is potential for generating 2,500 Mega Watts of power from urban, municipal, and industrial wastes in large cities, besides metros, in the next 2-3 years, according to a joint study brought out by ASSOCHAM. The Hindu reports …

Soon, every Malaysian household will have to separate its waste to help in the recycling process or the garbage man will not collect the rubbish. The Star reports that Housing and Local Government Minister Datuk Seri Ong Ka Ting said it would be compulsory for the households to separate their …

The UK Government is considering further reducing Britain‘‘s carbon emissions‘‘ target and cutting the use of disposable plastic bags. Sky News reports that in his first major speech on the environment as Prime Minister, Gordon Brown said Britain must lead the world and commit to becoming a low carbon economy. …

Attention San Francisco shoppers: Plastic grocery store bags are going, going, gone. The San Francisco Chronicle reports that large grocery stores in the city can no longer use the traditional plastic bags that are a staple of the supermarket checkout line, as a city ordinance passed earlier this year to …