GOVERNMENT CONSULT ON WEEE AND ROHS DIRECTIVES

The DTI has issued the long awaited consultation paper on the implementation of the WEEE and RoHS Directives. The proposals suggest a national "clearing house" to co-ordinate collection of WEEE nationwide for treatment and recovery. While the consultation states that it makes sense to use existing civic amenity sites that currently separately collect WEEE, the Government is clear there should be no new burdens place on Local Authorities because of the WEEE Directive.
See www.dti.gov.uk/sustainability/weee/index.htm#Consultation_on_Government_implementation

The CIWM is keen to hear members' views on these issues and has set up a WEEE discussion forum on our website. Those wishing to add comments to the forum or input into a CIWM response should contact Tom.Ellis@ciwm.co.uk

EUROPEAN COMMISSION BATTERY DIRECTIVE PROPOSAL

The European Commission has adopted a Proposal for a new Battery Directive, which will require the collection and recycling of all batteries placed on the EU market. Discussions concerning a battery directive have been on going for several years with the commission now making firm proposals. A closed loop system where batteries avoid incineration and landfill is proposed along with a number of targets.
See www.europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/batteries/ 

GETTING READY FOR THE WASTE INCINERATION DIRECTIVE (WID) IN ENGLAND AND WALES

The Environment Agency will be holding two free seminars to inform relevant operators, waste producers, waste managers and consultants on how the WID directive will be implemented in England and Wales. The meetings will take place on the 20th January and 16th March 2004 and will be held at the offices of DEFRA in London. Those with an interest in the implementation of the WID should contact Dr Amin Anjum at the Environment Agency amin.anjum@environment-agency.gov.uk

NEW TECHNICAL PUBLICATION LAUNCHED

The CIWM this week launched a new technical publication on Energy from Waste. This publication will be sent to all members of the CIWM with their December journal. Additional copies can be ordered from the CIWM website www.ciwm.co.uk//pageSection/section_id=4/ses=R0_F2_B1_F2_AC_u02C6a/goto_section_id=16
For more information on the publication see the press release www.ciwm.co.uk/pageSection/section_id=0000017/ses=R0_F2_B1_F2_AC_u02C6a/goto_article_id=84244

COMMUNITY WASTE PROJECTS REPORT

The Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) has published a report entitled Community Waste Projects: Sustainable Development in Practice? The research indicated the community waste projects deliver the multiple objectives of the sustainability agenda, with a particular high emphasis on environmental and social objectives.
See www.regard.ac.uk/cgi-bin/regardng/showResearchFindings.pl?ref=R000223705

CHRISTMAS CARD RECYCLING

A scheme for recycling Christmas Cards is being run by the Woodland Trust. For further details go to:
http://www.woodland-trust.org.uk/recycling
 
NORTHAMPTONSHIRE NGG MEETING

The above meeting will be held at University College Northampton on Wednesday 3rd December at 6.30pm. There will be presentations on Plastics Recycling and The Waste Improvement Network. For further details contact Sue Reed SReed@daventrydc.gov.uk