NORTHERN IRELAND WASTE STRATEGY REVIEW
The Waste Management Advisory Board for Northern Ireland has produced a review of the Northern Ireland Waste Strategy, The review notes positive steps being made in terms of recycling and the wake up to waste campaign, however it also notes a number of areas where progress is still to be made. The report makes a number of recommendations for making future progress, including: the establishment of an Environmental Protection Agency at arms length to the Government, a strategy for all departments of Government to work to and a need to address the huge infrastructural deficit.
See www.ehsni.gov.uk/pubs/publications/WasteManagementStrategyReview.pdf
RECYCLING IN WALES UP BY 56%
Meanwhile in Wales the Welsh Assembly has released welcome news with statistics from their Municipal Waste Management Survey for 2002-2003. Initial results show an increase in waste arisings of 4% and a 56% increase in the amount being recycled or composted leaving Wales with a recycling rate of 12.6% for 2002-2003. A more detailed analysis of the statistics will be available later in the year.
See www.wales.gov.uk/keypubstatisticsforwalesheadline
/content/environment/2004/hdw200406302-e.htm
SEPA NATIONAL MSW ANALYSIS METHODOLOGY CONSULTATION
SEPA has issued a consultation paper aimed at helping them establish a methodology for Scottish Local Authorities to use in order to determine MSW composition. The methodology will allow Local Authorities to identify and quantity the Biodegradable Municipal Waste content of household waste and identify the potential recyclable content within their municipal waste.
See www.sepa.org.uk/pdf/consultation/current/msw_methodology.pdf
EFRA COMMITTEE INQUIRY INTO HAZARDOUS WASTE AND LANDFILL POLICY
The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee of the Houses of Parliament is to conduct a major inquiry into waste policy, and in particular the performance of the government relating to the requirements of the Landfill Directive. Hazardous waste and what is needed to meet the challenges of the Directive (including further resource requirements) will be examined in detail. For further details on the inquiry and to submit comments for consideration by the Committee see www.parliament.uk/parliamentary_committees
/environment__food_and_rural_affairs/efra_pn67_040628.cfm
CONSULTATION ON EXTENDED IMPACT ASSESSMENT FOR RECYCLING AND PREVENTION THEMATIC STRATEGY
The European Commission has issued a questionnaire as part of the consultation process to develop an extended impact assessment for the Thematic Strategy on the Prevention and Recycling of Waste.
See http://europa.eu.int/comm/environment/waste/form.htm
ENVIRONMENT AGENCY GEAR UP FOR 16TH JULY
The Environment Agency has been active in reminding those involved with hazardous waste management of the ban on co-disposal of hazardous wastes at landfill sites that will be rigorously enforced following the 16th July. The Agency have suggested that the costs for managing hazardous wastes will increase from around £150 million per year to approximately £500 million per year following the ban.
See www.environment-agency.gov.uk/news/?lang=_e
CIWM FORUM ON WASTE PLANNING REVIEW
Our re-designed website will be used to gauge CIWM members' opinion on high profile topics. The first of these will be ODPM's forthcoming Waste Planning Policy Statement (PPS 10); this will be used to develop early stage feedback to ODPM and to develop CIWM's policy position on this vital issue. For this topic the forum will be open from the Friday 19 June until Friday 9 July members will need to log onto the members only area under the membership and members section of the web site. Your username will be your membership number (should be at the top of this email) and your password is your date of birth. See www.ciwm.co.uk
DEFRA LANDFILL ALLOWANCES TRADING SCHEME WORKSHOPS
Defra will be holding a series of road shows throughout England to explain the requirements of the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme. Eight 1-day sessions are to be held throughout England in July. For more details on the events see: www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/localauth/lats/workshops.htm
SOCIETY FOR THE ENVIRONMENT ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE
The Society for the Environment has announced the appointment of its first Chief Executive Officer, Dr Tim Bines. Dr Bines will lead SocEnv through the establishment of the register of Chartered Environmentalists (CEnv) which it is expected will become a pre-eminent qualification and recognition of excellence for environmental professionals. Dr Bines has worked extensively for English Nature and is a member of the Environment Agency's Southern Region REPAC. The CIWM continues to play a significant role in the ongoing development of the Society, and expects to be writing to all Members and Fellows in the next two or three months setting out how full professional members of CIWM can apply for the status of Chartered Environmentalist
NEWS FROM GENERAL COUNCIL
At the meeting of the Institution's General Council held on Monday 14th June the following items were reported: -
- The Hon. Treasurer reported a sound start to the financial year and there was a note of cautious optimism about the forecasts for the year ahead;
- It was noted that the Society of the Environment's Petition for a Royal Charter had been granted, and following some clarification of the registration process for full professional members of CIWM to become Chartered Environmentalists, Council re-affirmed its support for SocEnv, and would move ahead with inviting Members and Fellows to register as Chartered Environmentalists as soon as practicable;
- On the recommendation of the Policy Committee a new Practice Direction was approved dealing with Member's Interests, and a Register of Interests will shortly be established;
- The Membership Committee reported that the Institution's membership currently stood at just over 6000 for the first time, although there was concern about the drop out rate;
- The process for the assessment of candidates to transfer to the class of Fellow is to be reviewed;
- The Education & Training Committee will be examining the potential and practicality of providing overseas training;
- Council were briefed on the response to the new web site, and plans to use it in drafting responses to DEFRA consultation documents.
At the General Meetings (AGM and EGM) of Members later in the day the Annual Reports for 2003 were received and approved, and the Special Resolutions to introduce a number of amendments to the Constitutional Documents were all approved. These amendments to the constitutions will now be formally submitted to the Privy Council and the Charity Commissioners for their approval before being implemented.
MIDLAND CENTRE MEETING
The Midlands centre of the CIWM will be holding an evening open meeting and associated demonstration on intermodal refuse collection vehicles and on board weighing as a means of preventing overloading. The meeting will take place on the 15th July at the officers of Bromsgrove District Council. For further details and to book a place at the meeting contact david@evanslogistics.com
JOINT IWO/CIWM VISIT TO GREEN WASTE PLANT AT RUISLIP
Members of CIWM are invited to a joint meeting with the Institute of Water Officers at the Barn Hotel, West End Road, Ruislip, followed by a visit to West London Composting, a newly constructed, operational, major waste plant, on Thursday 29th July 2004. Further details can be obtained from Martin or Julie Strudwick, Tel: 01353 778288 or by e-mail at mail@martin-strudwick.co.uk
TACKLING WASTE 2004
The first ever postgraduate wastes management conference, organised by WARMNET and supported by CIWM will be held at the University of Nottingham on the 20th and 21st July. The conference will showcase innovative research from a wide range of disciplines in universities across the UK. Keynote speakers from the industry, EPSRC and the environment agency will introduce sessions. Student rate £75 inclusive. For details please contact; tacklingwaste@northampton.ac.uk
