Category Archives: News stories

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Waste Stories 11/1/2016

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1. Management Sciences for Health

MSH, a global health nonprofit organization, uses proven approaches developed over 40 years to help leaders, health managers, and communities in developing nations build stronger health systems for greater health impact. It works to save lives by closing the gap between knowledge and action in public health. Since its founding in 1971, MSH has worked in over 150 countries with policymakers, health professionals, and health care consumers to improve the quality, availability and affordability of health services.

Read more here

2. European Sustainable Clothing Action Plan project

The overall objective of the LIFE ECAP project that is led by WRAP, is to adopt a circular approach to divert over 90 000 tonnes/year of clothing waste from landfill and incineration across Europe by March 2018, and to deliver a more resource efficient clothing sector. ECAP will set targets aiming to scale up these savings by 2020 to over 540 000 tonnes/year (€111 million), and by 2030 to over 700 000 tonnes/year(€144 million).

Read more about the project 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 – Dec 2015

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

Booking details can be found here: healthcare waste 2016 conference

 

4. Changes to hazardous waste legislation in NI

S.I. No. 209 of 2015 relates to the control of major accident hazards Involving dangerous substances. It implements the Seveso III Directive (2012/18/EU) into Irish law. It sets down rules for the prevention of major accidents involving dangerous substances including hazardous wastes, and seeks to limit as far as possible the human health and the environmental consequences of such accidents, with the overall objective of providing a high level of protection in a consistent and effective manner. The intention is to achieve this through tiered controls on the operators of the establishments subject to the Regulations: the larger the quantities of dangerous substances present at an establishment, the more onerous the duties on the operator. The new regulations align the scope to new international chemicals classification (CLP Regulation transposing Global Harmonised Standards classification). There is also an enhanced emphasis on the need for operators to provide comprehensive information to the public.

5. Update on Knowaste facility at Hayes 180

Read the story here

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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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Waste Stories 7/12/2015

20150615_1233241. Environmental advisor with SRCL

See the job here

2. Healthcare commitment to tackle climate change launched at Clinton Global Initiative

Health Care Without Harm, sponsored by the Skoll Foundation, unveiled a commitment at the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) to reduce health care’s carbon footprint in order to protect public health from climate change.

Health care currently represents 8% of U.S. and 5% of European greenhouse gas emissions. The CGI commitment sets an ambitious target to mobilize 10,000 hospitals and health centers on every continent in a collective effort to reduce the health sector’s greenhouse gas emissions by 26 million metric tons annually by 2020.

Read more 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 – Dec 2015

Sponsors include: Daniels, Econix, GV Health, Frontier Medical Group, Newster, Sharpsmart 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. EU circular economy package launched

On Dec 2, the European Commission adopted a new Circular Economy Package that will mean member states will have to recycle 65% of its municipal waste by 2030. 

The aim of the Package is to stimulate Europe’s transition towards a circular economy, which has the potential to boost global competitiveness, foster sustainable economic growth and generate new jobs

Read the story here

4. NI proposes independent Environmental Protection Agency

The Environment Minister of Northern Ireland, Mark H Durkan, has called for views on potential options for an independent environmental protection agency.

The Minister has circulated a new discussion document, “Environmental Governance in Northern Ireland” to key stakeholders from business and industry, agriculture, local government and non-governmental organisations.

Read the story here

 

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Waste Stories 30/11/2015

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1. NHS to get above-inflation cash injection of £3.8b

Front-line NHS services in England will get a £3.8bn, above-inflation cash injection next year, amid mounting fears about the pressures they face. The funding boost represents a rise of nearly 4% on NHS England’s £101bn front-line budget this year. The Treasury has agreed to the rise as part of the manifesto promise to give the NHS an extra £8bn a year by 2020.

Read the story here

2. WHO call to action on climate change

Climate change has the potential to do serious harm to the health of individuals around the world. But tackling climate change could substantially reduce the risks while also improving human health by, for example, delivering cleaner air and healthier cities.

That’s why WHO is asking you to support our call to action, which is raising awareness of the health opportunities we can realise by tackling climate change now.

View the WHO call to action 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 – Dec 2015

Sponsors include: Daniels, Econix, GV Health, Frontier Medical Group, Newster, Sharpsmart 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. EU to invest €670 million in Circular Economy

The European Commission is set to invest €670 million to develop strong and sustainable economies over the next two years. Under the EU’s research and innovation funding scheme, Horizon 2020, the Commission will invest almost €16bn in research and innovation in the next two years.

Read the story here

5. Provisional greenhouse gas emissions in the UK – April – June 2015

See the data here

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Waste Stories 23/11/2015

20150512_1443481. Energy manager’s role at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

See the job here

2. The All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion (APPG ESF) panel discussion

“How can we prevent 90% of corporate uniforms from going to landfill?”
The panel will include the following speakers and will be chaired by Baroness Young of Hornsey:
• Wayne Hemingway, Designer, Hemingway Design
• Alex McIntosh, Managing Director, Christopher Raeburn & Business and Research Associate, Centre for Sustainable Fashion
• Trewin Restorick, CEO and Founder, Hubbub
• Neill Abrams, Director Of Legal & Business Affairs, Ocado
• Mike Conway, Director of UK Custodial Operations, Sodexo
• Kate Riley, Technical Consultant, Oakdene Collins

The discussion will be hosted by the APPG ESF Co-Chairs, Baroness Young of Hornsey and Caroline Spelman MP, as well as the APPG ESF secretariat organisations: the Centre for Sustainable Fashion and Hubbub. The event will take place in the Jubilee Room, House of Commons, Westminster, London on Tuesday 1st December, from 15.30 – 17.00.

To register, click 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, Newster 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.Waste Advantage magazine

Read the November issue of Waste Advantage here

5. Environment Agency seeking views on definition of waste guidance document

To give you a full picture of all the related guidance that is currently available on the definition of waste, a compiled reference document has been provided please click  here. The deadline for sending in your response is the 30 November 2015.

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Waste Stories 16/11/2015

20150401_1202071. Updated official waste management statistics for England – 2014

Permitted waste management activities provide information about wastes accepted and removed from their facilities, this is a summary of that data for 2014. Due to the omission of some data, the 2014 tables and Waste Data Interrogator have been corrected and re-published

View the data here

2. New CIWM President highlights key themes for the year

In front of over 120 guests at Glasgow City Chambers, the 2015/16 CIWM President Professor Jim Baird was inaugurated on 21 October and used the occasion outline a number of themes for his presidential year.

These include the need for renewed efforts to tackle waste crime through collaborative working with industry and regulators, and the importance of promoting resource efficiency and Circular Economy (CE) learning – both in higher education here in the UK and through CIWM’s ability to promote communities of knowledge and good practice internationally.

Read the story 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, Newster 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. EU food waste prevention project

An EU-funded project has fed thousands of people on food that would otherwise be wasted in some of Europe’s biggest cities.

Raising awareness is part of a strategy to reduce food waste. The project is also examining ways to encourage businesses and households to use food more efficiently and discard less. Its proposals could increase resource efficiency along the supply chain, cut bills for shoppers, and contribute to a sustainable food system.

The project has developed recommendations on common standards EU countries could use to more accurately measure the amount, sources, and impacts of food waste. The recommendations aim to help EU policymakers when they consider changing the rules on food waste and the sustainable use of resources, says project coordinator Toine Timmermans of Food & Biobased Research, part of the Wageningen University and Research centre in the Netherlands.

Read more about the project here

5. Biffa acquires the chemical division of Enviroco

Biffa has announced that it has reached agreement with Enviroco to acquire its Chemical Treatment Division. The deal builds on Biffa’s recent acquisition of the hazardous waste businesses of PHS and will further augment Biffa’s growing hazardous waste Division.

Read the story here

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Waste Stories 9/11/2015

20150401_1210581. Green Investment Bank takes next step towards privatisation

The Rt Hon Sajid Javid, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) has confirmed that plans to remove ministerial powers over the Green Investment Bank (GIB) will take place, in a major step towards the privatisation of the bank. Following the announcement of the GIB’s planned privatisation in June 2015, Mr Javid said in a ministerial statement that he was planning to remove public sector controls over the bank. The planned change aims to allow the bank to borrow and raise capital without affecting public sector net debt. Following this news, the Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has launched a new inquiry into the “Future of the Green Investment Bank” and is currently accepting written evidence. The inquiry will look into issues such as if the privatisation of the GIB will achieve the benefits claimed by the Government and if the change presents any specific risks or opportunities.

2. Register for the Paris conference on climate change and healthcare

Organised in parallel with the UN climate conference, COP21, this event will bring together health care leaders from across Europe and around the world. Representatives from hospitals and health systems in France, Europe, the US, Asia, Africa and Latin America will discuss strategies for reducing their carbon footprint, as well as healthcare  leadership initiatives to protect public health from climate change.

Register 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, Newster 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. Practical source book on mercury waste storage and disposal
We are delighted to announce the launch of a brand-new publication, the product of a cooperation between ISWA and UNEP Division of Technology, Industry and Economics (Chemicals Branch) (UNEP DTIE).
ISWA, together with the UNEP DTIE, the International Environmental and Technology Centre/IETC and the Ministry of Environment Japan, lead of the Global Mercury Waste Management partnership area jointly launched the ‘Practical Sourcebook on Mercury Waste Storage and Disposal’ during a side event at the 4th International Conference on Chemicals Management which took place on Friday, 2 October 2015.
The Sourcebook is an informative tool that aims to enhance the capacity of governments and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the environmentally sound storage and disposal of the major types of mercury wastes. The content of the ‘Sourcebook’ is based on the ‘updated technical guidelines for the environmentally sound management of wastes consisting of, containing, or contaminated with mercury or mercury compounds’, recently adopted by the Conference of the Parties of the Basel Convention.
A copy of the Sourcebook is available at this link Sourcebook-Mercury-FINAL-web-_01

 

5. Suez’s England recycling report

This report aims to provide England’s local authorities and policy makers with a blueprint for raising our household waste recycling rate to the next level. With potential for some of the recommendations made could initiate debate on how we can move forward, especially in relation to meeting the EU 2020 target.

View the report here

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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

 

 

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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

 

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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