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Dow Jones reports that the world‘‘s energy industry has never been keener to tap the commercial potential of natural gas. But some nations are wasting more gas than ever before as producers burn it off straight into the atmosphere. A World Bank-financed study released this month found the industry burned …

The recycling system for disused vehicles is not working properly in Finland. Many of the cars that are scrapped have not had hazardous materials properly dealt with before being recycled. Helsingin Sanomat reports that the normal handling involves removal of the car battery, as well as oil and fuel, after …

The McGill Daily reports that with the environment in disarray, the Quebec government is exploring the merits of a provincial tax that will undoubtedly reduce our waste, yet hit consumers where it hurts most: their wallets. Targeting the extravagant use of plastic bags and hoping to motivate the public to …

Buildings such as hospitals and theatres will be powered by rubbish from McDonald‘‘s restaurants in a new pilot scheme. The Press Association reports that eleven fast-food restaurants in Sheffield, Rotherham and Barnsley, South Yorkshire, will take part in the initiative, which will turn waste into electricity and heating for 130 …

Waste reduction is the most important environmental issue facing manufacturing businesses today, according to an international study on sustainability and environmental trends conducted by Harris Interactive for Dow Corning Corporation. Eight out of ten managers and professionals in the USA; Brazil; Italy & Germany rank it as a higher priority …

city-based entrepreneur has successfully developed a biomass-run generator as a major step towards promoting renewable sources of energy. The generator developer, Rajesh Garg, told NewsPost India ‘‘We have designed, developed and made operational a power generating set run on 100 percent biogas and industrial waste gas-based engines. We have also …

While many countries have banned the lowly plastic shopping bag for its unenvironmentally-friendly longevity, plastic bags remain stubbornly common in otherwise green-conscious Sweden. SR International reports that the trouble is, through a modest charge paid by shoppers for each plastic bag, the polythene menace has become a money-earner for major …

Jaoan for Sustainability (JfS) reports that the Aomori Ecological Recycle Industrial Association in Japan started manufacturing a road de-icing agent that employs large amounts of scallop shells generated as a seafood processing by-product in Aomori Prefecture. It started production in March 2007 and plans to process 6,000 tons of scallop …

AllAfrica.com, citing the Kampala Monitor, reports that faced with a ban on the production of thin but convenient polythene bags, consumers and manufacturers have adopted new innovative ways to overcome the hurdle. The latter have increased the thickness of the bags, while maintaining the original design and specifications as the …

Picture yourself standing in front of two large bins. You‘‘re looking to dispose of a plastic bottle, from which you‘‘ve just sipped 20 fluid ounces of beautifully packaged tap water. One of the bins before you is full of candy wrappers, some cardboard, a banana peel. Fruit flies flit above …