ENVIRONMENT AGENCY CORPORATE PLAN FOR 2003-2006

The Environment Agency has published its corporate plan for 2003-2006 detailing the Agency's priorities for all their activities. With regards to waste the Agency plans to carry out a 2nd national waste survey to provide information on all waste streams, update strategic waste management assessments, provide a web based simplified LCA and eco-design tool for SME's and implement producer responsibility for ELV's.
See www.environment-agency.gov.uk/aboutus/275292/234805/234823/549156/?version=1&lang=_e

DRAFT DOCUMENTS FOR AN ADVISORY DOCUMENT ON HAZARDOUS WASTE

The Hazardous Waste Forum, set up to advise government on the reduction and safe management of hazardous waste, has produced a set of draft documents that will form an advisory document on hazardous waste management. A draft policy statement will be core to the document, with 18 suggested statements including provision of clarity over changes to regulations, placing more emphasis on waste producers, adequate resourcing and consistency of regulation and encouraging the separation of household hazardous waste.
See www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/hazforum/index.htm

SEPA TECHNICAL GUIDANCE ON HABITATS AND LANDFILL REGULATIONS

SEPA has issued a technical guidance note detailing the requirements of the habitats directive and how it interacts with the landfill regulations. The document aims to provide guidance for those involved in applications for PPC permits. The habitats regulations require that for all applications for new permits are screened for the activities potential impacts on European classified sites.
See www.sepa.org.uk/guidance/landfill_directive/habitats_landfill_regulations_guidance.pdf

IRISH LITTER LAWS STRENGTHENED

The Republic of Ireland Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government has announced the commencement of part 4 of the protection of the environment act 2003 dealing with litter. Maximum potential fines for litter offences will increase from ?1,904 to ?3,000. Local Authorities will also be given the powers to widen the use of local byelaws and restrict advertising in public places, including a ban on the placement of advertising flyers on vehicles. See www.environ.ie/DOEI/DOEIPub.nsf/6fb57b90102ce64c80256d12003a7a0d/e3a6d992de13508e80256da20038d328?OpenDocument

SEPA LEACHATE, GROUNDWATER AND SURFACE WATER GUIDANCE

SEPA has issued a guidance document on the monitoring of landfill leachate, groundwater and surface water. The guidance is a modification of the Environment Agency document produced in 2001 (entitled as the SEPA document). The document provides details of what will be considered best practice in terms of monitoring landfill leachate in Scotland
See www.sepa.org.uk/guidance/landfill_directive/monitoring_leachate_ground_surface_guidance.pdf

THE ROAD TO SUSTAINABILITY IN CONSTRUCTION, FRIDAY OCTOBER 3 2003,
CARDIFF INTERNATIONAL ARENA

The above conference is being developed in partnership with the Welsh Assembly Government and Environment Agency Wales by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, Institution of Civil Engineers and Wales Environment Trust and is supported by Rethinking Construction Wales. For further details contact Wendy Cleveland info@walesenvtrust.org.uk.

WEEE CONFERENCE FOR THE IT SECTOR

Brother, a leading supplier of electrical goods, will be holding a half day conference in Birmingham to discuss the impacts of WEEE on the IT industry. For further details of the event see www.brother.co.uk/seminar/agenda.html#