Waste Stories 15/12/2015

3_spark_a_christmas_decoration_hd_picture_1701391. Maps of progress on sustainability across the NHS published

Compare progress on a range of sustainability measures including on energy, water and waste within the NHS, using the Sustainable Development Unit’s maps

2. Our 2015 annual report

The Group’s 2015 report can be found HCWRR steering committee report 2015a

3. Joint Healthcare Waste and Resources Research Group and ISWA International conference (sponsored by Grundon Waste Management)

In conjunction with the International Solid Waste Association (ISWA), the Group will be hosting an international conference on April 14 and 15, 2016. It will be held at St Thomas’ Hospital in London. Topics to be covered will include current and emerging technologies, sustainability and preparing for emergencies.

The programme can be found here: Programme – Dec 2015

Sponsors include: Daniels, Econix, GV Health, Frontier Medical Group, Newster, Sharpsmart, Cloud Sustainability and ISS Ltd. (Please contact Terry Tudor: terry.tudor@northampton.ac.uk, if you wish to sponsor)

Booking details for early bird registration can be found here: healthcare waste 2016 conference

4. Updated definition for RDF

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has issued an updated definition for refuse-derived fuel (RDF). This updated definition now includes a specification on RDF’s minimum calorific content as agreed with the end-user. Earlier in 2015, the Department issues a one-line definition, after announcing in its response to the “Refuse derived fuel market in England” call for evidence in December 2014 that it would intervene with the market to tackle waste crime. Defra has also announced that a treatment standard would not be introduced along with the definition, as this would run counter to the Department’s efforts to cut red tape.

See the new definition here

5. New WERLAs in Northern Ireland

Three new Waste Enforcement Regional Lead Authorities (WERLAs) have recently been appointed in Northern Ireland. The authorities will have responsibility for coordinating waste enforcement actions within regions, setting priorities and common objectives for waste enforcement, ensuring consistent enforcement of waste legislation across the three existing waste management planning regions while still leaving local authority personnel as first responders on the ground to specific breaches of waste legislation.
The new authorities are as follows:
• Southern Region – Cork County Council
• Connaught Ulster Region – Leitrim & Donegal County Councils (Joint)
• Eastern & Midlands Region – Dublin City Council

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