Smedlunds Miljösystem intends to turn each bag of dried kitchen rubbish into a quantity of biogas sufficient to keep a car running for 3.2 kilometres (2 miles), Bohusläningen reports. Swedish.com reports that a small residential area in Guldheden has already agreed to try out the method. “The technology removes around …
Mais »Canada – Huntingdon may be first in Quebec to ban plastic bags
The town of Huntingdon has officially entered what seems to be a race to become the first Quebec municipality to outlaw distribution of non-biodegradable plastic bags at grocery stores and other retail outlets. The Gazette reports that coming on the heels of a similar announcement by the Gaspe town of …
Mais »India – landfill mining could cut waste
Retrieving material for composting from open dumps across the developing world could reduce the environmental impact of the growing mountains of waste, according to researchers in India. Environmentalresearchweb newswire reports that open dumps are prevalent in the developing world and have a poor environmental record, according to environmental engineer Kurian …
Mais »Scotland – nation meets its landfill target
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has released its latest figures on municipal waste for 2006/07 reporting that Scotland has met its domestic target for landfill of biodegradeable municipal waste and the recycling rate continues to increase. Scottish local authorities have reduced the amount of biodegradable municipal waste sent to …
Mais »Netherlands – officials announce packaging tax
Netherlands officials recently announced the government will be introducing a carbon-based packaging tax aimed at reducing carbon emissions related to the use of packaging, the first such levy in the European Union. Resource Recycling reports that the tax will be based on estimated carbon dioxide emissions produced in making various …
Mais »Italy – turning olive pits into energy
After you‘‘ve enjoyed a tangy olive, don‘‘t throw away the pit – it could soon be providing a clean, green answer to heat and electricity production, thanks to technology developed by Israeli start-up Genova, now setting up its first pilot plant. Israel21C reports that the company, which was founded in …
Mais »UK – Government announces phasing out of all high-energy bulbs
The Independent reports that all high-energy light bulbs will be removed from sale in Britain within four years under a pioneering deal between the Government and major retailers. Bulbs rated at 150 watts will be taken off the shelves as early as January under the voluntary agreement launched yesterday by …
Mais »USA – bacteria transform by-product into biofuel
With US biodiesel production at an all-time high and a record number of new biodiesel plants under construction, the industry is facing an impending crisis over waste glycerine, the major by-product of biodiesel production. Environmentalresearchweb.org reports that researchers from Rice University, US, believe they have found an answer to this …
Mais »UK – Londoners canvassed on plastic bags
Londoners are being invited to help shape the capital‘‘s future environmental policies by deciding whether or not to introduce a London-wide levy – or even an outright ban – on throw away shopping bags. London Councils has launched a public consultation to give Londoners the opportunity to tell them what …
Mais »UK – new paper from straw technology wins invention of the year at Observer ethical awards
provides a revolutionary treatment to efficiently turn its waste into energy and chemicals for re-use in paper making. The Observer Ethical award was presented in June at a ceremony in central London, which rewarded those doing their part for the planet. There were thousands of nominations for the category, which …
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