English

Burundi: urban waste becomes urban fuel

Several months ago, residents of the Burundian capital, Bujumbura, were struggling with disposal of household waste. IPS Inter Press reports that the Municipal Technical Services (Services techniques municipaux, SETEMU) weren‘‘t able to deal with all the refuse — and health conditions in the city were deteriorating. Fast forward to June …

Mais »

UK – trials to identify best ways to collect household food waste

Seventeen local authorities across England will trial new food waste collection services to help determine the best way of diverting this waste from landfill. WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) is keen to establish the most convenient way for people to take part in this new service. The trials are …

Mais »

Canada – Government encourages use of "green" office furniture

Three Canadian firms are helping the federal government be more environmentally friendly after qualifying to provide the government with remanufactured office furniture. With a combined value of US$600,000, the Regional Master Standing Offers awarded to the three firms will help the government play a role in keeping office furniture out …

Mais »

UK – new research reveals continued growth in plastic bottle recycling rates

Plastic bottle recycling continues to go from strength to strength with 92% of UK local authorities now offering recycling collection facilities for plastic bottles, according to new research funded by WRAP and undertaken by Recoup (RECycling of Used Plastics). The findings of the UK Plastic Bottle Recycling Survey 2007 indicate …

Mais »

China – researchers turn waste into cost-cutting resin

Scientists at East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST) have worked out a waste-recycle technology to turn plastic waste such as coke bottles into corrosion-proof substances for chemical-industry use. China.org cites the Shanghai Daily and reports that the technology, which has been awarded a national patent and won one …

Mais »

USA – plastic bag industry pleads for recycling

Following the near-constant news of planned polyethylene bag bans from around America, Resource Recycling magazine reports that bag processors are launching a campaign to educate consumers about the importance of recycling the sacks. "Without a significant change in consumer behavior, this issue will continue forever," said Pete Grande, chief executive …

Mais »

Italy – Naples burns as residents protest at garbage crisis

Sanitation officials in Naples are desperately opening temporary rubbish dumps this weekend as short-term relief from a refuse-collection crisis that has closed schools and sent angry Italian residents on to streets at night to set fire to hundreds of mounds of uncollected waste. The UK Observer reports that Neapolitans took …

Mais »

UK: the energy from waste explosion

Here is a reflection published at mondaq.com by Michelle Thomas, partner and Peter McCormack, associate in the Renewable & Clean Energy team at international law firm Eversheds. The energy from waste market across Europe is set to explode. The limit on the amount of waste to landfill, as directed by …

Mais »

China – Hong Kong legislator hits out at `punitive‘ plastic bag tax

The government should strengthen public education instead of implementing a plastic bag tax – criticized as "punitive" and "short-sighted" – to cut usage of bags. The Hong Kong Standard reports that a lawmaker, the industry and an environmentalist made the call at City Forum Sunday in response to the government‘‘s …

Mais »

China environmental levy on plastic shopping bags proposed in Hong Kong

The Environmental Protection Department has proposal on an environmental levy on plastic shopping bags, with a view to seeking comments and support from the stakeholders and the public. "The territory is facing an imminent and serious waste problem. Among these wastes, more than 23 million plastic shopping bags are disposed …

Mais »