NEWSPAPER RECYCLING SCHEME GETS EU STATE AID CLEARANCE

Jennie Price CEO of WRAP said "We are very pleased that financial aid for this major recycling scheme has now been given the green light by Brussels".  The North Wales Scheme gets EU £17 million grant.  See http://www.wrap.org.uk/news_detail.asp?NewsID=307 for details.

WEEE AND ROHS IMPLEMENTATION UPDATE

DTI have nearly completed their analysis of the 300 responses to the first discussion paper that was issued.  A summary of views and statistical analysis will go live on the DTI website during the last week of July.  See www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability

BBC ENVIRONMENT REPORT 2003

BBC's third report on the BBC's impact on the Environment is available on www.bbc.co.uk/info/environment

NEW POWERS FOR WELSH LOCAL AUTHORITIES TO HELP FIGHT FLY-TIPPING

Welsh Minister for Environment has introduced new regulations that will help local authorities to track down and prosecute fly-tippers. The new powers will allow local authorities to check whether waste is being managed properly and disposed of safely.  For details see http://www.wales.gov.uk/news/index.htm

ARUN COUNCIL A GOOD COUNCIL

Latest CPA report released for Arun council.  The council is doing well in a number of areas but refuse collection performance is poor.  See http://www.audit-commission.gov.uk/press/index.asp?CatID=PRESS-CENTRE

PACKAGING WASTE FACT FINDING EXERCISE RESULTS ANNOUNCED
Environment Minister, Elliot Morley, has announced the results of a fact-finding exercise into the inappropriate issuing of Packaging Waste Recovery Notes (PRNs) by some packaging waste re-processors. The various government departments and agencies involved in the exercise found that although there were some unrealistic assumptions and overstatements made in the returns, there were no inappropriate operations that might warrant criminal proceedings. The report will be released shortly and will be found on www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics/packaging/index.htm

DEFRA PUBLISHES POLLUTION STANDARDS FOR INDUSTRIAL SECTORS
DEFRA has issued a series of statutory guidance notes that detail pollution standards for three industrial sectors: glass manufacture, ferrous foundries and particleboard manufacture. These are the first in a series to assist LAs in regulating installations under the new LA-IPPC regime.The guidance can be found at www.defra.gov.uk/environment/ppc

SPECIFIC PESTICIDES USE BANNED FROM DEC 2003

Around 135 professional and 80 amateur products will be affected. http://www.pesticides.gov.uk/citizen/Amateur_gardeners.htm The majority of amateur products are lawn treatments. The timetable for the withdrawal is:
24 July 2003 - last day for sale by any person;
31 December 2003 - last day of use by any person; and
31 March 2004 - last day for storage (for the purposes of disposal only).
It is possible to legally continue using these products in your garden for the rest of this year, i.e. up to 31 December 2003. After that you may continue to store the products for a further 3 months but only whilst arrangements are being made for disposal.  Fact Sheet for disposal from: http://www.baa.org.uk/content/PBI/9_disposal.asp

IRELAND INTRODUCES FURTHER LITTER TAXES

Martin Cullen, Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has proposed strict taxation measures to address the littering of Ireland's streets with chewing gum, polystyrene packaging and cash machine receipts. More information about the proposed taxes go to http://news.bbc.co.uk

WRAP BOOSTING MARKETS FOR RECYCLED PAPER
WRAP have publishes a report identifying significant opportunities to promote sustainability by increasing the use of recycled paper in hygiene products. The report identifies the opportunity for using recycled paper in toilet paper, kitchen role and facial tissue. The report is available on the WRAP website www.wrap.org.uk/news

DRAFT LONDON PLAN PANEL REPORT MADE PUBLIC
Following the Examination in public of the draft London Plan the examination panel have released their report. As far as waste is concerned the presumption against incineration is likely to be removed and the challenging recycling targets reduced. See www.london.gov.uk/london-plan-eip/index.jsp

ENVIRONMENTAL BEST PRACTICE AWARDS
Companies demonstrating environmental best practice can apply for the 2003 Business Commitment to the Environment (BCE) Awards. The closing date for entries is the 8 August and they criteria include sustainable development and excellence in environmental performance. For details go to www.bceawards.org

LONDON & SE CENTRE - LAND RESTORATION MEETING

The above meeting will be held on Friday 1st August at The Rainham Sporting Club, Ferry Lane, Rainham. The meeting will include visits to the RSPB Site and Cleanaway's MRF, Composting and Landfill facilities.
For further details contact: richard.bradbury@encams.org

BEYOND RECYCLING 2003 CONFERENCE

Make a date for the Beyond Recycling Conference to be held on 4 November at Bowood, Wiltshire. Designed to examine how waste prevention can be put back at the top of the waste management hierarchy.
Details can be found at www.beyondrecycling.net