US – car companies look to generate power from waste heat

One might think that the steam engine is an outdated technology that had its heyday centuries ago, but in fact steam is once again a hot topic with vehicle manufacturers. Indeed, the next generation of hybrid cars and trucks may incorporate some form of steam power. Honda, for example, has …

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Ireland – national review of pay-as-you-throw schemes

This is a 2007 report from the Irish EPA which may be of interest. This study reports on the findings of the first phase of a two-part project examining pay-by-use (PBU) charging systems in Ireland conducted between May and September 2006. The second in-depth case study phase will be completed …

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USA – new polymer product from soy oil, not petroleum

Hair-care products, wound-care dressings and drug encapsulation are among the potential uses of new, soy-oil-based polymers known as “hydrogels,” developed by Agricultural Research Service (ARS) scientists in Peoria, Ill. ScienceDaily reports that ARS chemists Sevim Erhan and Zengshe Liu developed the soy-oil-based hydrogels as a biodegradable alternative to the synthetic …

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Scotland – Government action on carrier bags

new group to consider how to reduce the number of single use carrier bags and promote bags for life was announced in Scotland. Cabinet Secretary for the Environment Richard Lochhead made the announcement following a meeting with major retailers where he promised to work closely with retailers to tackle Scotland‘‘s …

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UK – plastic bag policy ‘a diversion‘

Plans to ban or charge for single-use plastic bags are a diversion from the real environmental issues, one of the government‘‘s own advisers has said. BBC reports that waste and recycling expert (and RRF Trustee) Professor Chris Coggins said such a government policy allowed the supermarkets to pass on responsibility …

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