26.03.04

HAZARDOUS WASTE - A GROWING PROBLEM

 The Environment Agency has issued a report looking at the production of hazardous waste and how it is, and will be managed. The report highlights there being around 250 items that will be newly classified as hazardous waste due to the implementation of Hazardous waste regulation; items such as fluorescent tubes, batteries and televisions. This will be happening at a time where the landfill directive dramatically reduces the landfill capacity to manage hazardous waste. See
 www.environment-agency.gov.uk/subjects/waste/232021/232024/743177/?lang=_e

IMPLEMENTATION OF WASTE ACCEPTANCE CRITERIA CONSULTATION RESPONSES

DEFRA has released a summary of the responses it received to their consultation on the proposed amendments to landfill regulations to include Waste Acceptance Criteria (WAC). The WAC, which lay down what wastes each classification of landfill can accept, will now be implemented in July 2005, leaving a year after the ban on co-disposal takes place. During this year acceptance of hazardous wastes at previous co-disposal sites who are to operate as hazardous waste landfills will be by site specific risk assessments based on loading rates, the characteristics of waste currently in the landfill, the characteristics of waste to be landfilled and any likely reaction between the two. See
 www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/landfill-regs/summary_responses.pdf

 PROVISIONS ON RECYCLING FOR MOTOR VEHICLES

 The EU Commission has adopted new provisions laying down minimum levels for the recycling and recovery of the components and materials in new vehicles. The provisions will require new vehicles constructed from 2015 to ensure 85% by mass, of the vehicle is to be re-usable and/or recyclable and 95% by mass, to be re-usable and/or recoverable. See:
http://europa.eu.int/comm/enterprise/automotive/pagesbackground/recyclabilit
 y/com_2004_162_en.pdf

NATIONWIDE DIRECT CHARGING FOR THE REPUBLIC OF IRELAND

 The Environment Minister for the Republic of Ireland has announced that by the 1st January 2005, all local authorities must charge householders directly for their waste collection and disposal. A number of Irish Local Authorities have already adopted schemes that charge householders by the amount of waste they produce, providing a direct incentive to reduce waste and increase recycling. See
www.environ.ie/DOEI/DOEIPub.nsf/6fb57b90102ce64c80256d12003a7a0d/6c75aca7340
3a3480256e5f003710d6?OpenDocument

CAN THE PLANNING SYSTEM DELIVER? - RICS REPORT

The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) has released a report on the ability of the planning system to deliver the needs of waste management. The report states a minimum of 170 new waste facilities will be required in the south east alone by 2015. Potential measures to address planning difficulties include making brownfield sites more readily available, clarifying the role of BPEO and when it should be used, co-ordination of central Government waste activities and a Government statement on the need for new waste facilities. See
www.rics.org/ricscms/bin/show?class=ResearchReports&template=/includes/showr
 esearch.html&id=77&faculty=RICS

 NOTES FROM THE GENERAL COUNCIL

 At the recent meeting of the CIWM General Council a number of issues that may be of interest to members were discussed. Keith Simmonite's appointment to the position of Junior Vice President was ratified, CIWM's annual accounts were approved and the progress on appointing Regional Development Officers. An announcement of the 7th Annual NGG event to take place in Cardiff in September, a number of awards were confirmed and the progress on the re-development of the CIWM website were among many items of business. For further information on the work of the Institution's General Council, contact: info@ciwm.co.uk

BROWNFIELD DEVELOPMENT SEMINAR - 22ND APRIL

 Few industries will feel the impact associated with the loss in Landfill capacity for hazardous waste greater than those involved in Brownfield development and contaminated land remediation. This CIWM one-day seminar will examine the potential pit falls that will be faced by those involved in development, treatment and disposal of contaminated land and will offer
 advice on the new requirements for the management of contaminated land; including alternative treatment options to disposal in landfill. For more details on this event please contact the events department events@ciwm.co.uk    or 01604 620426