DEFRA SEEKS ENVIRONMENT AGENCY BOARD MEMBERS
The Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is seeking three non-executive Directors to sit on the Board of the Environment Agency to fill forthcoming vacancies.
Details of the responsibilities, terms and conditions and method of application as well as an information brief can be found at www.SPA-uk.com with a link to the .pdf version of the application form on the DEFRA website.

REAL NAPPY WEEK
Remember it is `Real Nappy Week' on the 7th to 13th April.  Michael Meacher MP, Minister for the Environment, will start Real Nappy Week 2003 with the launch of Nappy Line and the Real Nappy Collection at the GLA's City Hall on 7 April at 12.30pm. Nicky Gavron, Deputy Mayor
of London will host the occasion. The annual waste prevention campaign, Real Nappy Week, is jointly organised by Women's Environmental Network and the Real Nappy Association with events and displays all over the UK. For news, activities and general information visit www.wen.org.uk/nappies/nappies.htm

REVIEW OF THE WASTE MANAGEMENT STRATEGY FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
The Department of Environment, Northern Ireland, in conjunction with the independent Waste Management Advisory Board is conducting a review of the Waste Management Strategy for Northern Ireland. The purpose of the review is to identify if the guidance in the Strategy is clear and complete, whether it provides stakeholders with sufficient direction on waste matters, whether it will enable recycling and other targets to be met, and how successful or otherwise the department has been in implementing the strategy.  The closing date is 30th June 2003.  For further information visit www.ehsni.gov.uk

GOVERNMENT LAUNCHES ON-GOING CONSULTATION ON WEEE AND ROHS
The first stage of an ongoing consultation process over the next 18 months, into the implementation of WEEE and ROHs has now been launched.  Stage one is a broad-brush discussion document aimed at explaining the requirements of the Directives and outlining initial government thoughts.  The document can be downloaded from the DTI's website at www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability .  Comments are requested by 30th May 2003.

REPORT WARNS OF URGENT NEED FOR CAPACITY TO MANAGE HAZARDOUS WASTE
New capacity to treat 2 million tonnes of hazardous waste, along with higher levels of waste minimisation, is needed to cope with looming restrictions on landfills and higher levels of waste production, warns a report published today for the Environment Agency and the Government's Hazardous Waste Forum.  The report "Hazardous waste management market pressures and opportunities" sets out the major challenges facing the UK Government, industry and regulators, in light of major legislation requirements relating to hazardous waste and identifies possible options for their management.  A copy of the report can be downloaded from www.environment-agency.gov.uk/commondata/105385/p1484tr.pdf 

RECYCLED BUILDING PRODUCTS ~ DEVELOPING THE CONSTRUCTION MARKET 
A free, one day event ay BRE, Watford, on 10 April 2003 will explore how the construction market can be developed for recycled building products.  Aimed at manufacturers of recycled building products and/or products that could incorporate recycled materials, the event promotes a major initiative from BRE, supported by WRAP, focusing on increasing markets for recycled construction products by offering manufacturers' financial assistance with certification, testing and product approval.  For further information contact Ruth Rodricks on 01923 664 386, or visit www.bre.co.uk/wrapcert

NEW COMMITTEE ON RADIOACTIVE WASTE MANAGEMENT SEEKS MEMBERS
A call for a Chair and 12 members of a new Committee on Radioactive Waste Management (CoRWM) has gone out from DEFRA and the devolved administrations, to design a strategy for managing radioactive waste.  The appointments are part-time and a daily rate as well as expenses will be paid.  Further information can be found on www.kmcinternational.co.uk, or call 0870 0113213 ref. 552/3.

POLLUTION PREVENTION CONTROL SEMINARS
Material has been published consisting of presentations at the Department's Pollution Prevention Control (PPC) seminars held in February and March, which aimed to offer practical advice to local authorities in exercising their functions under the relevant components of the PPC regulations.  For further information visit www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc/seminars/index.htm

SALVAGE WORK BEGINS TO REMOVE CARGO OF PLASTIC
Work is due to start on removing cargo from the wreckage of a ship off the Cornish coast. Salvagers will be using a conveyor system to haul tonnes of waste plastic from the ship and up the cliffs at Sennen.  The move follows fears that the plastic could pose a threat to wildlife. The RMS Mulheim was carrying 2,200 tonnes of shredded plastic when she ran on to rocks between Land's End and Sennen.  Some of the plastic has now escaped into the sea.  For further information visit www.news.bbc.co.uk 

WASTE RECYCLING GROUP IN TALKS WITH TERRA FIRMA
Waste Recycling Group has announced it is in exclusive takeover talks with Terra Firma, the private equity group run by former Nomura banker Guy Hands. News of the talks came after Kelda, the company's biggest shareholder, revealed it had agreed to sell its 45.5% holding in Waste Recycling to Terra Firma. Rumours that Shanks Group could also face a bid saw its shares gain in value.  For more information visit www.guardian.co.uk/business/story/0,3604,924376,00.html