Germany – Government exempts 75% bioplastic bottles from deposit

The European Bioplastics industry representation welcomes the regulation concerning bioplastic drink bottles established in the 5th Amendment of the German Packaging Directive. Environmental Expert reports that the amendment was passed on 4 April 2008. The regulation for bioplastic bottles will come into effect on 1 January 2009. These bottles ‘‘ …

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Australia – plastic bag ban divides ministers

Shoppers in the Australian state of Victoria will pay up to 25c for plastic bags while in South Australia they will be banned from using them, as the two states go it alone after the nation‘‘s environment ministers failed to agree on a national approach. At the 16th meeting of …

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USA – new study advances method to make energy from farm waste

Washington University engineers using imaging technology have found that vigorous mixing helps microorganisms turn farm waste into alternative energy. AP reports that hog and cow manure is a persistent pollutant from industrial-sized barns and feed lots, but can become a useful source of fuels like methane when broken down by …

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Europe – such a waste, but more of it will be recycled by 2012

The European Parliament‘‘s Environment Committee has recommended a report that the European Union should cut waste and Members States and have mandatory recycling, although those who can‘‘t comply with current targets will be given five more years to do so. New Europe reports that the committee voted to reinstate most …

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