Anaerobic digestion plants that turn waste and purpose grown crops into energy have the potential to power more than 2.5 million UK homes by 2020, a new report by CentreForum suggests. Yet the think tank warns that this vision will only be realised if certain barriers to sector growth and development are removed. The report … Read more
There has been a marked improvement in environmental awareness in Ireland over the past decade reveals the ConsEnSus Lifestyle Survey just published today by NUI Galway and funded under the EPA’s STRIVE Research programme. The same survey reports that approximately one fifth of all survey respondents had changed their energy supplier to a renewable energy … Read more
A new report on the analysis of official EU data on packaging shows that over the past 11 years the amount of packaging waste going to final disposal in EU-15 has fallen by 43%. Higher recycling levels and other forms of packaging waste recovery are largely the reasons says EUROPEN, the European Organisation for Packaging … Read more
Greenergy, a privately owned company that supplies one fifth of Britain’s road fuel, has begun producing biodiesel from food waste. In a unique partnership with Brocklesby, a specialist in recycling edible oils, unsaleable food products such as crisps and pies, which would previously have gone to landfill or compost, are now being converted for biofuel … Read more
The water and carbon footprint of wasted household food in the UK has been identified for the first time, highlighting the major environmental consequences of food waste, both domestically and globally. The report, ‘The Water and Carbon Footprint of Household Food Waste in the UK’ – jointly published by WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) … Read more
Grocery retailer Sainsbury’s is using experimental technology to help reduce the UK’s dependence on fossil fuels. Many people are unaware of the strain the National Grid comes under at peak times, as coal-fired power stations across the country have to be ‘switched on’ to meet the increased demand on the UK’s electricity supply. Power station … Read more
UK-based Harper Adams University College, which has more than 4,000 students, is expanding its commitment to sustainable energy by starting work on a £3million-plus renewable power system at its Shropshire campus. The anaerobic digester at Harper Adams in Edgmond, near Newport has been in planning for two-and-a-half-years and the recent turf cutting ceremony brought together … Read more
Panda Waste has announced its 2010th brown bin collected since it introduced its service to comply with the newly introduced food regulations. The new EU Directive regulations state that food waste must be segregated from non-biodegradable materials, other waste and contaminants. The service is available to cafes, restaurants, fast food outlets and catering facilities from … Read more
Public consultation has commenced on the Draft Statement of Waste Policy, which is intended to map the future of waste management in Ireland for the next decade and beyond. The consultation period extends until 1st October 2010. ”The fundamental aim of the new draft policy is to protect the environment, reduce costs for householders and … Read more