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The range of powers available for controlling the export of waste from the UK has been widened by new regulations laid in Parliament this week. The Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007 set out offences and penalties, and designate the responsible enforcement authorities. They extend the range of people against …

Gov. John Lynch of the US state of New Hampshire has signed a law banning the burning of toxic construction and demolition debris. Fosters Online reports that Vermont has a similar ban while Maine allows the debris to be burned with some restrictions. New Hampshire‘‘s ban takes effect Jan. 1. …

In Kenya‘‘s 2007 national budget, the FInance Minister announced that partly to protect the environment from further degradation, he proposed to impose an excise duty of 120% on plastic bags. He further proposed to impose a ban on very thin plastic bags. These measures are expected to encourage industry players …

Punjab Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal given his in principal approval to a UK-based company to set up a Rs 3,000 crore Integrated Waste-to-energy plant in the state with a capacity to convert 1500 tonnes of waste per day into thermal energy and power. Newkerala.com reports that the approval came …

On July 1, California will become America‘‘s first state to initiate a mandatory recycling programme to cut down on its mounds of plastic bags. The Sacramento Bee reports that under legislation – Assembly Bill 2449 – and signed into law by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger last year, supermarkets, pharmacies and other …

People who waste more will have to pay more and every household will have to start separating recyclable items from other waste. These are two of the implications of the Solid Waste Management and Public Clean-Up Bill, which the Housing and Local Government Ministry expects to table in parliament in …

An interesting transition from single use plastics to single use bioplastics, to reusable plastics in a couple of years, apparently impelled by an economic instrument. Kenya‘‘s biggest supermarket retailer, Nakumatt Holdings, is to launch a reusable carrier bag, following a Government move to levy 120 per cent excise duty on …

Rogue operators who illegally dump waste in Northern Ireland could go to jail for five years under tough new laws being introduced. The legislation will also increase the maximum fine and force offenders to pay the clean up and enforcement costs. Ulster TV reports that it has emerged that government …

A ban on plastic bags was placed firmly on the table by the Welsh Assembly Government yesterday. The Western Mail reports that the Welsh Government puts green issue at forefront of its new powers. The move, possibly by next March, could be the first under high-profile new law making powers. …

Mayor Greg Nickels of Seattle has rolled out an ambitious plan to further reduce the amount of garbage being sent to landfills, increase recycling and to rebuild the city‘‘s two aging transfer stations. He is also eyeing up the prospects for banning plastic bags and styrofoam. Under the agreement – …