Waste Stories 24/4/2017

 

1. ‘Breakthrough’ process converts hygiene product waste to RDF

Millions of feminine hygiene products, nappies, incontinence pads and other hygiene waste currently sent to landfill by commercial organisations and public bodies can now be recycled to produce clean energy, according to PHS Group.

For more information click here

2. ISWA petition to close the globe’s 50 largest dumpsites

ISWA is campaigning to close the 50 biggest dumpsites to protect the health and wellbeing of millions of people worldwide. ISWA created the Roadmap to Closing Dumpsites Report.  Next, with your help, it will set up an international helpdesk, making support directly available to those who need it.

Read more here

3. CIWM report on shifts in consumption trends

A new report commissioned by CIWM explores how advances in digital technology are changing how and what we consume and driving supply chain innovation, with particular reference to packaging and the grocery sector.

Read more here

4. The Group’s 2017 conference

The Group’s 2017 conference will be held on Thursday October 5, at the Northampton Town’s football ground in Sixfields, Northampton. The event will focus on the sustainable management of food waste from the healthcare and hospitality sectors. It will feature speakers from WRAP, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, the Co-opNorthamptonshire Waste Partnership and Severn Trent Water. The event will be sponsored by  Sharpsmart and Olleco.

To book click here

5. Sustainability lead with Nestle

Nestle is looking for a Sustainability Lead to be based in its Gatwick Head Office however the role will also include some travel. You’ll be rewarded with an attractive package and more importantly, you’ll be working within a team and for a brand that will inspire you.

For more details click here

 

Waste Stories 3/4/2017

1. OPEN CONSULTATION: Local authority environmental regulation fees and charges 2017 – closes 13 April 2017

Defra want to know what you think about proposed amendments to the environmental permitting fees and charges schemes including a general increase of 4.5%.  Do you think the increase is justified to cover regulatory costs?  Defra particularly want to hear from Local Authority Environmental Health regulators, operators and their trade associations.

For more details click here

2. Persistent Organic Pollutants: draft Stockholm Convention UK implementation plan 2017 – closes 14 April 2017

Defra wants to know what you think about the proposed new actions in the updated national implementation plan.  This plan sets out the progress made since 2013 in reducing Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs).  It also proposes new actions for improving progress and implementing the requirements for new POPs that have been added.

For details, click here

3. The Group’s 2017 conference

The Group’s 2017 conference will be held on Thursday October 5, at the Northampton Town’s football ground in Sixfields, Northampton. The event will focus on the sustainable management of food waste from the healthcare and hospitality sectors. It will feature speakers from WRAP, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, the Co-opNorthamptonshire Waste Partnership and Severn Trent Water. The event will be sponsored by  Sharpsmart and Olleco.

To book click here

4. EC consultation on antimicrobial resistance

The European Commission has launched a consultation asking which activities should be included in its new Action Plan to combat antimicrobial resistance. Responses, which should be submitted by 28 April, will help decide on which actions should be taken at EU level to seek to preserve the efficacy of antimicrobials, strengthen infection control and stimulate innovation into new treatments.

Read the consultation here

5. European funding for bio-based industries – expressions of interest

This KTN, H2020 UK National Contact Points, SusChem and Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) event is aimed at companies and research organisations that are interested in European Funding for Bio-based Industries (BBI) and who wish to work with European counterparts in collaborative research and innovation projects. The morning session will highlight information about the 2017 call for proposals from the BBI Joint Undertaking and the afternoon will be highly participative in support of consortia building and proposal development. Due to limited spaces the KTN is operating an Expression of Interest scheme for this event.

Read more here

Waste Stories 27/3/2017

1. Call for COST Action external experts

COST invites independent experts from all scientific areas to participate in the evaluation of proposals for COST Actions collected twice a year through the COST Open call

By being available for occasional, short-term assignments, you will contribute to fair, inclusive and fully transparent scientific project-assessment at European level.  

COST Experts must not necessarily belong to academic institutions. However, a university degree and considerable scientific or professional experience in the specific areas of expertise are a requirement. 

View details here

2. CIWM awards

These long-standing and well-respected awards are given for outstanding achievement in academic and operational disciplines including best written technical paper and exceptional operational teams at a waste management facility. Judged by the most respected experts in the sector, these premier awards represent the highest level of achievement and winners set the standards for others to follow.

 

For more details click here

3. Opportunity for cleantech companies to showcase UK innovation

The Second Mission Innovation Ministerial (MI-2), hosted by the People’s Republic of China, will feature a major technology exhibition with companies from around the world demonstrating their clean energy technologies, products, and business models. The deadline to apply to present is 31 March.

From 6-8 June 2017, the People’s Republic of China will host the Second Mission Innovation Ministerial (MI-2) at the China National Convention Centre in Beijing. This annual meeting of energy Ministers and other high-level delegates from Mission Innovation members will provide an opportunity to leverage high-level political will and private-sector leadership to drive ambitious, real-world clean energy policies and actions. MI-2 will be held alongside the 8th Clean Energy Ministerial (CEM8).

For more information click here

4. The Group’s 2017 conference

The Group’s 2017 conference will be held on Thursday October 5, at the Northampton Town’s football ground in Sixfields, Northampton. The event will focus on the sustainable management of food waste from the healthcare and hospitality sectors. It will feature speakers from WRAP, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, the Co-opNorthamptonshire Waste Partnership and Severn Trent Water. The event will be sponsored by  Sharpsmart and Olleco.

To book click here

5. MRI scanner recycled to study the stars at CERN

After spending 15 years scanning patients at an Australian hospital, an unwanted MRI machine has been recycled and given a new lease of life at the world’s biggest science experiment as a scanner of the material that makes up exploding stars.

Read more here

 

Waste Stories 20/3/2017

1. Thanks to Bywaters, Grundon and SRCL

Over the past few months, Bywaters, Grundon and SRCL have provided 2-day work shadowing opportunities for two of our students, Stephen Anuge and Becky Jenkins. Based on the feedback, it has been an excellent learning experience for the students, and useful opportunity for the companies to introduce the students to the work environment. The scheme will be reviewed in the coming months. If you wish to host a student in future, please email terry.tudor@northampton.ac.uk.

2. New Waste Industry and Safety and Health website launched

A new Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH) website, hosted by CIWM, has been launched. It provides a one-stop-shop for all WISH guidance previously hosted on the HSE (Health and Safety Executive) website. With a new look and easy navigation, the site hosts both formal guidance documents and other resources, including good practice case studies.

View the site here

3. WRAP food waste action

Courtauld Commitment 2025 business signatories are aiming to double the amount of food surplus they send for redistribution, and help other companies further increase the level of unsold food redistributed, by 2020.

For more information, click here

4. The Group’s 2017 conference

The Group’s 2017 conference will be held on Thursday October 5, at the Northampton Town’s football ground in Sixfields, Northampton. The event will focus on the sustainable management of food waste from the healthcare and hospitality sectors. It will feature speakers from WRAP, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, the Co-opNorthamptonshire Waste Partnership and Severn Trent Water. The event will be sponsored by  Sharpsmart and Olleco.

To book click here

5. Vacancy for an NHS Waste manager in London, with Grundon

Grundon is currently looking for a Waste Manager (NHS Trust) to come and join its contract team based in North West London. The successful candidate will join on a full time, permanent basis, working 40 hours per week.

View details here

Waste Stories 13/3/2017

1. Survey on offensive waste

David Williams from SRCL is conducting a survey on offensive waste. if you haven’t already done so, can you complete and return the short survey to him by the end of March at djwilliams@srcl.com

Offensive_Waste_Research_Questionnaire_Feb_2017-2g8vqog

2. NHS Sustainability Day (March 23)

Sustainability Day is a national day of action across the health sector. Each year NHS Trusts, Clinical Commissioning Groups, Hospitals and organisations take action to highlight the important role sustainable development can play in health service delivery. The National Campaign is supported by those key bodies and groups charged with leading sustainable development across healthcare. This campaign includes this national website which has case studies, tool-kits, news, information and resources to educate and support organisations to embed sustainability in service delivery.

Read more here

3. The Group’s 2017 conference

The Group’s 2017 conference will be held on Thursday October 5, at the Northampton Town’s football ground in Sixfields, Northampton. The event will focus on the sustainable management of food waste from the healthcare and hospitality sectors. It will feature speakers from WRAP, the Co-op, Firmley Health NHS Foundation Trust and Severn Trent Water. The event will be sponsored by  Sharpsmart and Olleco.

To book click here

4. Brexit implications for the NHS workforce

Brexit and its implications for the NHS workforce is the subject of our podcast between Kate Ling, Senior Policy Manager at the European Office, and Martin Hamilton, Partner at Capsticks and specialist in European employment law.

Listen here

5. Landfill Tax rates for 2018

The Treasury has announced that from 1 April 2018 Landfill Tax will be set at £88.95 per tonne for standard rate material and £2.80 per tonne for lower rate material.

Read more here

 

 

 

Waste Stories 6/3/2017

1. Green paper on Industrial Strategy

Government’s Industrial Strategy Green Paper is open for consultation until April 17.

Read more here

2. Environmental advisor with GSK

View details here

3. The Group’s 2017 conference

The Group’s 2017 conference will be held on Thursday October 5, at the Northampton Town’s football ground in Sixfields, Northampton. The event will focus on the sustainable management of food waste from the healthcare and hospitality sectors. It will feature speakers from WRAP, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, the Co-opNorthamptonshire Waste Partnership and Severn Trent Water. The event will be sponsored by Sharpsmart and Olleco.

To book click here

4. The Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regs

View the Regs here

5. Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) public registers

View the registers here

Waste Stories 27/2/2017

1. The Group’s 2017 conference

The Group’s 2017 conference will be held on Thursday October 5, at the Northampton Town’s football ground in Sixfields, Northampton. The event will focus on the sustainable management of food waste from the healthcare and hospitality sectors. It will feature speakers from WRAP, Frimley Health NHS Foundation Trust, the Co-opNorthamptonshire Waste Partnership and Severn Trent Water. The event will be sponsored by Sharpsmart and Olleco.

To book click here

2. UK hospitality and food service businesses save £67 million

UK businesses in the Hospitality and Food Service Agreement (HaFSA) have saved £67 million over the past three years.

The announcement comes as part of the final report of achievements by signatories to the voluntary agreement, developed and managed by WRAP on behalf of UK governments.

Read more here

3. Free reuse seminars from WRAP Cymru

In February and March, WRAP Cymru is hosting free networking and information-sharing events for the Welsh reuse sector, and free sustainable procurement workshops for the Welsh public sector. 

View more details here

4. New definition of RDF

An updated definition for refuse-derived fuel (RDF) trialled within the industry for six months will be adopted, following positive feedback, Defra has said.

Read more here

5. Zero Waste Scotland: circular economy investment fund

 

Zero Waste Scotland is investing European Regional Development Funds to help small and medium businesses be resource efficient and create a more circular economy. Between 2016 and 2018, Zero Waste Scotland is making funding and support available through structured grant calls and procurements. These will focus on priority commercial and industrial sectors which are:

  • the bio economy (food and drink)
  • built environment (construction and demolition)infrastructure (oil and gas decommissioning, renewables, transmission)
  • energy infrastrucure (oil and gas decommissoning, renewables, transmission)

Read more here

Waste Stories 20/2/2017

1. The Group’s 2017 conference

The Group’s 2017 conference will be held on Thursday October 5, at the Northampton Town’s football ground in Sixfields, Northampton. The event will focus on the sustainable management of food waste from the healthcare, retail and hospitality sectors. It will feature speakers from WRAP, the Co-opNorthamptonshire Waste Partnership, NHS organisations and Severn Trent Water. The event will be sponsored by Sharpsmart and Olleco.

2. EU sustainable energy awards competition

The Awards offer no monetary prize, but allow organisations to demonstrate commitment towards a cleaner environment, inspire others and be recognised at European level. Nominees and winners will benefit from communications support and increased visibility to stakeholders, the press and the general public.

For more information click here

3. Launch of SDU Health Check report 2017

The Department of Health in partnership with NHS England, Public Health England (PHE), NHS Improvement, the Care Quality Commission, Health Education England, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), NHS Digital and NHS Property Services have stated their organisational commitments to deliver a socially and environmentally sustainable health and care system.

Read the report here

4. RCP annual conference (March 16 & 17 – Manchester: UK)

The Royal College of Physicians (RCP) is launching a programme of work focusing on healthcare sustainability at the Medicine 2017 conference in March. You will be able to find the RCP sustainability team on the RCP Hub stand at the conference, or email them on sustainability@rcplondon.ac.uk.

For further details, click here

5. European Commission highlights five key actions to combat food waste

Speaking at the very first meeting of the EU Platform on Food Losses and Food Waste in November 2016, Commissioner Vytenis Andriukaitis highlighted five key areas of action to help combat food waste among Member States.

Read more here

 

Waste Stories: 13/2/2017

1. The Group’s 2017 conference

The Group’s 2017 conference will be held on Thursday October 5, at the Northampton Town’s football ground in Sixfields, Northampton. The event will focus on the sustainable management of food waste from the healthcare and hospitality sectors. It will feature speakers from WRAP, the Co-opNorthamptonshire Waste Partnership and Severn Trent Water. The event will be sponsored by Sharpsmart and Olleco.

2. Can we really cut food waste in half?

In the wake of discouraging food waste figures, the director of the World Resources Institute’s Food Loss & Waste Program, Liz Goodwin, outlines the actions individuals, retailers, manufacturers and government can take to really get us to our halving food waste goal.

Read the story here

3. New SEPA guidance on reuse and waste regulations

SEPA has published new guidance on reuse activities and waste regulations which aims to support the growth of reuse activities in Scotland, in line with the Scottish Government’s Strategy for a Circular Economy, and SEPA’s Waste to Resources Framework.

Read more here

4. Aberystwyth University nappy recycling breakthrough

A scientist has developed a process to recycle nappies, incontinence pads and sanitary products. Aberystwyth University’s Joe Freemantle said waste can be separated and refined to produce biofuel and textiles. He said those include rayon and viscose, which are often used to make clothing. Every year the UK produces one million tonnes of hygiene product waste – most going to landfill sites, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions.

Read more here

5. Climate Bonds Initiative launches Waste Management Technical Working Group

The Climate Bonds Initiative has announced the formation of a new Waste Management Technical Working Group (TWG) to develop new sector criteria that aims to stimulate investment into low-carbon waste management activities and infrastructure.

The Waste Management TWG is the first group to be convened in 2017, as Climate Bonds expands the sectors covered by its international Climate Bonds Standard and Certification scheme.

Read the story here

Waste Stories: 6/2/2017

1. Britain falling behind on renewables target

Britain is lagging behind on its commitments to meet its 2020 renewable energy targets, while the European Union overall remains on track.

According to a report by Reuters, other nations identified by the Commission as falling behind are Luxembourg and Ireland.

Read the story here

2. Cloud Sustainability’s eLearning module short listed

Cloud Sustainability’s eLearning module Preventing waste: the journey of food has been short listed in the REFRESH Food Waste Solution contest.

Vote here

3. Updated KTN platform

The Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN) has updated its online platform to intelligently connect you to relevant events, funding, thought pieces and specialist staff to help your business innovate and grow.

You can discover content using your area of interest, from sustainability to transport; from space to health – all major UK economic sectors are covered.

View the platform here

4. Environment Appeal: appeal form

The Environment Agency deals with applications for environmental permits. The Planning Inspectorate deals with appeals. The appeal guidance and form have been updated.

To see the guidance and form, click here

5. Loughborough University research into food waste waste reduction

Loughborough University is part of a new £0.8 million research project examining how food manufacturing systems can be improved to reduce waste.

For more information, click here