Waste Stories 2/11/2015

20150512_1443481.UNDP healthcare waste management toolkit

The UN informal Interagency Task Team on Sustainable Procurement in the Health Sector (SPHS) would like to share with you the latest progress achieved by the UNDP regional HIV, Health & Development (HHD) team in Eastern Europe and Central Asia (EECA) regarding the assessment of Healthcare Waste (HCW) components in global health initiatives.

A series of rapid country assessments have been conducted and supported by UNDP through the regional HHD team in EECA, under the framework of the Healthcare Waste Management Toolkit for Global Fund Practitioners and Policy Makers. The main aim of these assessments is to improve the planning and implementation of healthcare waste management systems in future GF grants, as well as deepen the understanding of the environmental impact caused by waste that is created through its GF project implementation.

Efforts of the UNDP regional HHD team in EECA to improve the HCW management of GF grants in EECA and beyond continue and assessments in Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Zimbabwe have been conducted. 

More details on the Toolkit is available here

2.Learn how to use the online tool ClimateJust

A programme of forthcoming training events will help many more people learn how to use, and apply Climate Just in practice, a powerful online tool that enables public service providers to identify who is most socially vulnerable to extreme weather.

View dates and book here

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 – Nov 2015

Sponsors include: Daniels, Econix, GV Health, Frontier Medical Group 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. DfT guidance on carriage of dangerous goods

Carriage of Dangerous Goods

5. ShellSpringboard Awards

The Shell Springboard Awards launched in 2005, provides a financial boost to innovative, low carbon initiatives from across the UK. The objective is to encourage companies to see climate change responsibilities as more than compliance and cost. This year funding of £350,000 is available, with individual awards of up to £150,000 for small businesses with innovative, commercially viable ideas that will reduce carbon emissions.

 

For further information or to apply, click Shellspringboard awards

 

 

Waste Stories 26/10/2015

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1. Managing Risks in the Secondary Materials Market
5th November | 10.00am – 12.00pm | Committee Room 10, Palace of Westminster

This parliamentary seminar will examine the volatility and risks that secondary material markets are exposed to, discussing how these can be managed and whether there is a need for Governments to provide further support to the industry both at a UK and European level. The event will aim to look at a number of different secondary materials, including plastics, paper, aluminium and glass.

Speakers will include:
Steve Lee: Chief Executive Officer, CIWM
Dr Paul Gibbs: Head of Consultancy, 4R Group Ltd
Alan Wheeler: Director, Textile Recycling Association
Peter Clayson: General Manager, Business Development and External Affairs, DS Smith

The event will be chaired by Dr Alan Whitehead MP.
Please email apsrg@policyconnect.org.uk for more information and if you would like to support this event.

2.SDU report on healthcare system adaptation

The report on how the health and care system is adapting to climate change was requested by government under the Adaptation Reporting Power (ARP) component of the Climate Change Act (2008) and was produced by a cross system working group (DH, NHS England and Public Health England). The group was formed to assess how climate change risks are assessed, whether adaptation plans are in place and how the impacts of adaptation plans are evaluated in key parts of the system, including: Overarching system level; National Bodies; Providers (NHS); Ambulance Trusts; Clinical Commissioning Groups; and Community/The Public’s Health (Health and Wellbeing Boards).

View the report here

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 – Oct 2015

Sponsors include: Daniels, Econix, GV Health, Frontier Medical Group 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.ISWA call for abstracts

The ISWA World Congress 2016 Organizing Committee would like to invite authors to submit abstracts that fit into the scope of ISWA’s scientific and technical activities

View details here

5. EU circular economy package to be published in December

Read the story here

 

Waste Stories 19/10/2015

Healthcare1. Grundon gains ISO 50001 accreditation

Waste management company, Grundon, has been awarded the ISO 50001 Energy Management certification, confirming that all sites it operates and where energy is used are now fully compliant with the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme (ESOS), including the Lakeside Energy from Waste facility.

Read the story here

2. EU healthcare waste management project meeting in Macedonia

The fourth coordination meeting of the project “Developing an EU Standardised Approach to Vocational Educational Training Awards in Healthcare Waste Management” – Acronym EU-HCWM – was held on 14th and 15th September 2015 in Skopje, Republic of Macedonia and kindly hosted by the Regional Environmental Center (REC).

Details can be viewed here

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 – Oct 2015

Sponsors include: Daniels Sharpsmart, Econix, GV Health, Frontier Medical Group 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. ISWA Healthcare Waste Working Group meeting

The ISWA Healthcare Waste Working Group (WGHCW) met for its second Working Group meeting of 2015 on Thursday 10 September 2015. The group works on promoting the integrated provision of the infrastructure for the safe management of healthcare waste worldwide (within the framework of the objectives, activities and means of implementation established by Agenda 21 of the United Nations Conference of the Environment and Development).  This meeting was held back to back to the ISWA World Congress in Antwerp, Belgium and was kindly hosted by AMB-Ecosteryl, one of the working group members, at their facilities in Mons, Belgium.

 The focus of the meeting was to review the work of the group between 2013 and 2015 and to discuss the way forward in line with the new ISWA Scientific and Technical Committee priorities that were endorsed during the ISWA World Congress.

For more details on the Group click here

5. CIWM East Anglian Centre open meeting

The CIWM East Anglian Centre will be hosting a seminar entitled: is Reuse the Future? The event will take place on Friday the 6th of November 2015, at EcoPark, Advent Way, Edmonton, London.
For details and booking, click here

Waste Stories 12/10/2015

20150615_1233241.Carbon Trust public sector event

Carbon Trust’s 2016 Public Sector Conference. The conference will contain practical masterclasses, workshops and lectures focusing on the public sector’s role in promoting sustainability. These will be delivered by a range of Carbon Trust experts. The guest speaker this year is The Rt Hon Dame Tessa Jowell.

Conference Themes, include Procuring low carbon technology,Water and waste and transport.

The event is only open to those working for a public sector organisation including central and local government, the NHS, the emergency services, schools, further education establishments and universities, and housing associations.

Book for the event here: Carbon Trust event

2.Consultation on the implementation of amendments to the environmental permitting guidance on waste incineration

On 16 July 2015 the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Environment and Rural Affairs Rory Stewart announced that as part of the commitment to cleaner air the Government would amend the current Environmental Permitting Guidance – the Waste Incineration Directive document to state clearly that all waste incineration plants and waste co-incineration plants burning waste oils in England and Wales fall under the scope of Chapter IV of the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED).

See the consultation documents here

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 – Oct 2015

Sponsors include: Daniels Sharpsmart, Econix, GV Health, Frontier Medical Group 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. Better thermal technologies for existing buildings

On the 9th July 2015 the Knowledge Transfer Network hosted a invite only workshop to gather feedback from industry, academia and local government on the challenges associated with integrating thermal technologies into existing buildings. The technical, economic and social challenges identified by the delegates relating to water and space heating in domestic and commercial buildings were consolidated into a summary report, which can be viewed here

5.Rushlight awards

The Rushlight Awards are designed specifically to support and promote all the latest clean technologies, innovations and initiatives for businesses and other organisations throughout UK, Ireland and internationally. There are separate categories for each of the renewable energies, clean fuels, transport, energy efficiency, power generation and storage, resource, water, sustainable manufacturing and products, clean environment and deployment initiatives.

View details here

Waste Stories 5/10/2015

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1.European Commission guidance on best practice in the waste management sector

The European Commission is in the process of developing a sector reference document on ‘Best Environmental Management Practice’ for the Waste Management sector in the EU. It is being framed within the general context of the principles of EMAS. Included, will be a section on healthcare waste.
There was an initial working group meeting on September 30 and October 1, in Leuven Belgium. The document should be ready by late 2016.

The link to the project can be found here

2. 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 draft programme can be found here: Draft schedule (Sept 2015)

Sponsors include: Daniels Sharpsmart, Econix, GV Health, Frontier Medical Group 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

 

3. Horizon 2020 Funding for Resource Efficient Bio-Based Value Chains (13 Oct: Manchester)

View details of the event here

4.CIWM Awards short list

CIWM’s Sustainability and Resource Awards 2015 shortlist has been announced. These awards recognise and reward innovation, achievement and best practice in the sustainable management of waste and resources, both within the waste sector and across a range of sectors.

See the shortlist here: CIWM awards short list

5.Biffa takes over the PHS Group

Biffa has announced the boost of its hazardous waste division with the acquisition of the chemical treatment business of PHS Group.

The acquisition will significantly enhance Biffa’s competitive position in the high growth area of the collection and disposal of hazardous waste, increasing the company’s waste transfer station network and creating a platform for further growth.

Read the story here: PHS Group

Waste Stories 28/9/2015

Maesteg unlocked bin1.HMRC consultation on Excise Notice LFT1: a general guide to landfill Tax

The main revisions include: Detailed guidance on the liability of mixed loads – which includes section 7.3 having the force of law. This section clarifies HMRC’s position on the liability of hazardous waste. Clarification of ‘naturally occurring’ for landfill tax at section 4.3 and detailed guidance on evidential requirements at section 5. The document can be found here

Comments should be emailed to environmentaltransporttaxes.contact@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk  by 6 October, 2015.

2. 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 draft programme can be found here: Draft schedule (Sept 2015)

Sponsors include: Daniels Sharpsmart, Econix, GV Health, Frontier Medical Group 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

3.SEPA and Zero Waste Scotland guidance for public bodies on procuring waste services

New guidance for public bodies and their contractors on procuring waste services has been published by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and Zero Waste Scotland.

Read the document here

4.Concerns about ruling on the EU Working Time Directive

The European Court of Justice has dismissed, for lack of evidence, the case brought by the European Commission against Ireland for alleged failure to comply with the Working Time Directive for non-consultant hospital doctors. This judgement came as a surprise as it is in contrast to the Advocate General’s opinion on the case, issued in March, finding that Ireland had failed to fulfil its obligations under certain Articles of the Directive.

Read the full story here: EU Working Time Directive

5.Free KTN event on reducing energy demand with smart buildings

On October 12 and 13, attendees will explore, debate and influence how smarter buildings and systems can accelerate the transformation of energy use in buildings. The KTN will showcase the state-of-the-art of the present day and identify the strategic priorities for the next five years.
The event will take place at Level 39 in Canary Wharf London, with a networking drinks reception on 12th.

Click here for booking details: KTN reducing energy demand event

Waste Stories 22/9/2015

 P1000527

1. EU-Vietnam Business Network mission

The EU-Vietnam Business Network (EVBN) is proud to announce its upcoming Green Technologies Trade Mission to Vietnam on November 24 – 27, 2015. This event is organised with dedication to all European companies, in particular Small and Medium Enterprises, interested in the Vietnamese market to meet new potential business partners.

Read more here: green technologies seminar

2. Knowaste submits plans for new London facility

Knowaste has submitted plans to develop the UK’s largest nappy recycling facility in Hayes, West London.  The plans involve investing £14m in the development of a state-of-the-art Absorbent Hygiene Product (AHP) recycling facility, on an industrial site in Uxbridge Road. The site is named Hayes 180 and is planned for launch in early 2017.

 

Read the full story here: Knowaste new facility

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 draft programme can be found here: Draft schedule (Sept 2015)

Sponsors include: Daniels Sharpsmart, Econix, GV Health, Frontier Medical Group 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. DECC consultation on Feed-in-Taffs

Read the consultation here: DECC FiT consultation

5. Funding for WEEE recycling schemes

Local councils are being urged to bid for support from a new scheme to help increase the collection, re-use and recycling of unwanted electrical items.

Up to £775,000 has been made available by retailers, suppliers and manufacturers of electrical equipment as part of the Distributor Take-back Scheme and the WEEE Compliance Fee.

Details can be found here: WEEE improvement projects funding

 

Waste Stories 14/9/2015

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1.American Public Health Association annual meeting and exposition (Oct 31 – Nov 4)

APHA’s Annual Meeting & Exposition is where public health professionals convene, learn, network and engage with peers. With the Annual Meeting, we strengthen the profession of public health, share the latest research and information, promote best practices and advocate for public health issues and policies grounded in research.

See details here: APHA 2015 meeting and exposition

2. Municipal waste incinerators and ambient air quality

This study aimed to fingerprint emissions from six municipal waste incinerators (MWIs) and then test if these fingerprint ratios could be found in ambient air samples. Stack emissions tests from MWIs comprised As, Cd, Cr, Cu, Pb, Mn, Ni, V and Hg. The six UK MWIs studied contributed little to ambient PM10 concentrations.

Read the article here: incinerators and air quality

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 draft programme can be found here: Draft schedule (Sept 2015)

Sponsors include: Daniels Sharpsmart, Econix, GV Health, Frontier Medical Group 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. Defra summary paper on reducing barriers in the reuse and repair sectors

Last November Defra issued a discussion paper seeking information on where the definition of waste may have acted as a barrier to re-use, and suggestions for changes related to this which might support growth in the re-use and repair sectors. A summary of the main issues raised in those responses is now available.

As the paper explains, a working group has been established bringing together relevant government departments, UK regulators, WRAP, and representatives from a range of key sectors. The group is looking at ways to encourage re-use and repair activities while maintaining effective regulation of waste. The paper includes contact details for anyone interested in receiving updates on the group’s activities or feeding into proposals emerging from the group and can be found here: Definition of Waste discussion paper_Summary of Responses

Lewis Baker: Resource Efficiency team – Defra

5. Smart interventions crucial to drive circular approach, says CIWM

Smart interventions at the production, consumption and disposal stages are essential to drive a more circular approach says CIWM.

Read the CIWM response here: CIWM response to circular economy

Waste Stories 7/9/2015

Symp2

1. ISWA World Congress 2015, Antwerp

The city of Antwerp and Interafval look forward to welcoming you at the ISWA World Congress 2015 in Flanders/Belgium!

ISWA aims to make this congress in Antwerp a memorable success. ISWA 2015 Antwerp will guarantee a balanced mix of internationally renowned keynote speakers, representatives of institutions and agencies worldwide that determine waste and materials policy, interesting insights into the latest scientific and technological developments in the sector, and above all, a lot of opportunities for networking and exchange of experience.

See details here: ISWA World Congress

2.Free access to Waste Management and Research articles until September 30

Read the articles here: WM&R

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 draft programme can be found here: Draft schedule (Aug 2015)

Sponsors include: Daniels Sharpsmart, Econix, GV Health, Frontier Medical Group 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. Short course on healthcare waste management

This short course provides an introduction to the effective management of Healthcare Wastes.

Learning Outcomes:

• To become aware of, and how to comply with, the relevant policies and legislation governing the management of healthcare waste

• To understand the issues surrounding the consignment and transport of healthcare waste

• To become aware of the key thermal and alternative treatment technologies employed in managing healthcare waste

Book to do the course here: healthcare waste short course

5. CIWM Sustainability and Resource Awards

Get recognised as one of our industry’s highest achievers and innovators and enter this year’s Sustainability and Resource Awards. The host will be Nick Hewer, host of Countdown and Alan Sugar’s right-hand man on The Apprentice. Showcase your project, innovation or resource management venture.

Click here for further details

Waste Stories 2/9/2015

 P1000546

1. Open Consultation – Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2010: updating the regulations

Defra and the Welsh Government are seeking views on the accuracy of the draft Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2016. This consultation closes on 27 October 2015

See the consultation documents here: EPR consultation

2. 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 draft programme can be found here: Draft schedule (Sept 2015)

Sponsors include: Daniels Sharpsmart, Econix, GV Health, Frontier Medical Group 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

3. Short course on healthcare waste management

This short course provides an introduction to the effective management of Healthcare Wastes.

Learning Outcomes:

• To become aware of, and how to comply with, the relevant policies and legislation governing the management of healthcare waste

• To understand the issues surrounding the consignment and transport of healthcare waste

• To become aware of the key thermal and alternative treatment technologies employed in managing healthcare waste

Book to do the course here: healthcare waste short course

4. The uptake of low-carbon technologies within the NHS

Read the full article here: uptake of low-carbon technologies

5. Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership

The latest text of the EU-US Transaltantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) proposal, published on 31 July, contains strong safeguards enabling Member States to retain full control over how they provide health services. Negotiations will continue during the autumn.

Read the lastest version of the proposal here: TTIP