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The Commission announced in the Communication on Integrated Product Policy (COM(2003) 302 final) the intention to launch a work with the purpose of identifying products with the greatest potential for environmental improvement from a life-cycle perspective. This work started in 2004 and is being led by the Institute for Prospective …

TAMOUNG, Cambodia – Nget Loun’s rickety old thatched house is typical of Cambodia’s impoverished countryside, but it holds a surprise inside: a state of the art, environmentally friendly gas stove. Link to full article

Japanese Fujitsu Limited announced in January that they have jointly developed the world‘‘s first large personal computer cases made of environmentally friendly bioplastics. Japan for Sustainability reports that the plastic is used in Fujitsu‘‘s spring 2005 model FMV-BIBLO NB80K notebook computers. The material contains polylactic acid and is a bioplastic …

Alcoa Aluminio, Tetra Pak, Klabin and TSL Ambiental have inaugurated the world‘s first carton packaging recycling facility located in Piracicaba, Brazil. The plant uses ground-breaking plasma technology, which enables the total separation of aluminum and plastic components from the cartons. This innovative process constitutes a significant enhancement to the current …

Nanotechnology has been significantly increasing its impact on the food and beverage packaging industry during last three years, according to a new market study developed by Helmut Kaiser Consultancy. The sales of the nano-related packaging products have been rising from US$150 million in 2002 to $ 860 million in 2004 …

"The process of returning a used product to at least Original Equipment Manufacturer performance specification and giving the resultant product a warranty that is at least equal to that of a newly manufactured equivalent."

Benefits to individual businesses: Through sharing product information, both OEMs and remanufacturers can profit from supply chain improvements and enhanced product development. Through trade-in schemes, remanufacturers can build a better relationship with their customers than those who rely on ‘throw-away’, one-off purchases. And remanufactured goods can command a higher profit …

New research results demonstrate that using a blend of processed sand (made from 100% recycled glass) and conventional sand offers performance and environmental benefits and is closer to the traditional sand colour. This is especially good news for greenkeepers who are reluctant to use processed sand due to its natural …

BPB -Bizkaiko Plastiko Berziklategia- is the result of the latest cooperation project involving Basque public company Garbiker and a Trienekens group subsidiary in the Basque Country. EITB reports that Bizkaiko Plástico Berziklategia (BPB), a new recycling plant inaugurated in Amorebieta, near Bilbao, will prevent some 8,000 tons of polyethylene film, …

The Glastonbury Festival, which takes place from Friday June 24 – Sunday June 26, 2005. plans to increase its recycling rate. Last year the Festival saw more than 150 tonnes of on-site waste recycled – that‘‘s more than double the 2003 total of 60 tonnes. This year the Festival‘‘s organisers …