Waste Stories 31/10/2016

 

10th anniversary

1. Grundon to support the Group’s student work shadow programme

Grundon has become the second organisation, after Bywaters to offer to provide work shadowing opportunities for a student. The student will spend two days with the Grundon team at Colnbrook. The work shadow is scheduled to take place in March 2017.

Funding is also available through the University/Santander to support students to undertake four weeks of part time work, at no expense to the SME. Any organisation that is interested in either the work shadow or longer term scheme can contact Terry Tudor (terry.tudor@northampton.ac.uk).

2. Summary of the Environment Agency’s regulatory work April 2015 – March 2016

This document reports on the Environment Agency’s regulation work for April 2015 – March 2016, it provides facts and statistics about emissions to air; serious pollution incidents; compliance with environmental permits and enforcement action taken when businesses don’t comply.

View the document here

3. HSE consultation on risk assessment

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) wants to make some changes to the current risk assessment guidance and want to hear your views before it is published.  The proposed changes are highlighted in a core leaflet and there is a brief questionnaire to complete.

Read more here

4. Lakeside EfW to relocate following Heathrow expansion decision

Following the announcement from the government that its preferred option for airport expansion is Heathrow’s third runway, Lakeside Energy from Waste in Berkshire will seek to relocate.

Lakeside Energy from Waste Ltd will now seek to ensure the Lakeside Energy from Waste facility – and the associated waste management and recycling facilities within the Colnbrook complex – can be relocated on a like for like basis at a nearby suitable site, with minimal disruption, as soon as possible.

Read the full story here

5. ISWA conference on biowaste and plastics

The ISWA European Group is organising a conference from 10 am – 5 pm on 14 November 2016, in Brussels, with the title: “Circular Economy: the role of Biowaste and Plastics”.

Read more here

 

 

Waste Stories 24/10/2016

 

10th anniversary1.EU models of delivery of health services

The NHS European Office is working with NHS England to provide support to the Integrated Care Pioneers, vanguards, and Integrated Personal Commissioning sites.

This package of support aims to help NHS colleagues develop links and share learning with organisations at the leading edge of integrated care in other parts of Europe.

Read more here

2. ReBus webinar – resource efficiency business models – getting started (November 10)

The EU Life+ funded project ReBus has been working with industry to develop, pilot and champion resource efficient business models. This free webinar will explore the answers to questions such as What type of business model enables a circular economy? How do you start making the transition? How would you minimise any perceived disruption and measure progress?

Book here

3. Circular economy and the healthcare sector

Traditionally risk averse and facing considerable financial pressure, the healthcare sector is perhaps not the most obvious showcase of circular economy principles. But while new business models involving refurbishing and sharing equipment have felt like a step too far in the past, things are changing – with straitened budgets proving one of the driving factors.

Read more here

4. Emerging and enabling technologies funding competition

Innovate UK (IUK) has launched Round One of its Emerging and Enabling Technologies Competition. An emerging technology is one that is progressing in, or has recently emerged from, the research base. It allows something new to take place that was not possible before. Because of this, it disrupts existing markets and enhances value to customers. It can improve lives and lead to new sources of wealth generation. Enabling technologies underpin the development of high-value products and services in many industrial sectors and markets. They improve performance and productivity.

Projects are expected to last between six months and three years and to range in size from total costs of £35,000 to £2 million, depending on the type of project. They must be UK business led and involve at least one SME. The applicant must carry out the project work and intend to exploit the results within the UK.

SMEs can work alone or in collaboration with other businesses or research organisations if the eligible project costs are up to £100,000. If the eligible project costs are more than £100,000, the business must work with at least one other business or research organisation (at least one of which must be an SME).

For more details click here

5. ISWA task force reports on resource management

In recognition of the challenges surrounding the management of resources, the ISWA Board established the ISWA Task Force on Resource Management in June 2014. The task force has prepared a study into the current trends and a series of reports to help the waste industry to respond to these unprecedented pressures on our industry.

 The Final Report of the ISWA Task Force on Resource Management is now available. You can read and download the Task Force reports, key messages and view the Task Force video and further short video interviews with the report authors below.

View reports and videos here

 

Waste Stories 17/10/2016

 

10th anniversary

1. The Shell Springboard Awards
The Shell Springboard Awards 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.
Successful applicants will be shortlisted for two regional finals, meeting judging panels in Aberdeen and Cambridge in March 2017. At each event, three regional winners will be awarded funding of £40,000 each. These six regional winners will then go forward to the national final, which will be held in London in March 2017. At this showpiece event, one business will be crowned the overall national winner of Shell Springboard 2017.
This business will then receive additional funding of £110,000 – meaning that the overall national winner of Shell Springboard 2017 will receive a total of £150,000 to scale up its low-carbon innovation.
Any UK-registered SME can apply. The business must meet the three core Shell Springboard criteria – that it will reduce carbon emissions; be commercially viable; and demonstrate one or more innovative elements. Businesses must have been established for a minimum of three months and have less than 250 employees.
For more information and to apply, click here

 

2. PRN platform launched

Producers and reprocessors can sign up to a platform that enables Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) obligation money to be transparently invested – for the good of the waste and recycling industry.

Circularety is the only platform that shows companies governed by Producer Responsibility Obligation Regulations exactly where and how PRN money is being invested.

Read the details here

3. Current energy policy unlikely to meet targets

The Energy and Climate Change Select Committee last month released its report 2020 renewable heat and transport targets, which concludes that “on its current course, the UK will fail to achieve its 2020 renewable energy targets.”

Read the report here

4. Guidance on storing catalytic convertors at metal recycling facilities (RPS200)

Read the guidance here

5. France bans plastic cups, plates and cutlery

France has become the first country to pass a law to ban plastic cups, cutlery and plates that are not made of biologically-sourced materials. From 2020, all disposable dining-wear in the country must be compostable and made of biologically-sourced materials.

The law is part of the Energy Transition for Green Growth – a plan that aims to allow France to make a more effective contribution to tackling climate change.

Read the story here

 

Waste Stories 10/10/2016

10th anniversary1. Final project conference for EU HCWM vocational qualifications in healthcare waste management (November 10)

Details about the project can be found at this link: euhcwm-leaflet-3-uk

The conference programme is at this link: euhcwm-final-conference-agenda-draft

For further information or to register for the conference please email: scott@icerms.com

2. CIWM announces Sustainability & Resource Awards finalists

The list includes Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust (in partnership with Bywaters), in the category of Best Resources Project by Facilities Management Award.

View the full list here

3. A review of healthcare waste management research

View the article in the journal Waste Management and Research here

4. New London-wide project to reduce food waste

A new London-wide behaviour change initiative could save Londoners £330m, reduce avoidable food waste in the capital and increase awareness of more healthy and sustainable eating.

London households throw away an estimated 900,000 tonnes of food each year, of which 540,000 tonnes could have been eaten. Not only is this environmentally damaging but it’s a huge waste of money for consumers, local authorities and businesses*.

TRiFOCAL London – Transforming City FOod hAbits for Life, is the latest initiative to be led by Resource London – the partnership between WRAP and LWARB – together with Groundwork London.  The organisations bid for and won €3.2million from the European Commission* to deliver the initiative in London, which will be a test bed for other European cities.

Read more here

5. Monthly and quarterly RHI expenditure

Monthly and quarterly forecasts for estimated committed renewable heating incentive (RHI) expenditure for the next 12 months.

View the reports here

Waste Stories 3/10/2016

 

10th anniversary1.ISWA International Waste Manager certification

In 2005 ISWA launched its certification on professional qualifications. The certification programme is designed to provide an internationally recognised certification for individual professional waste managers based on their academic achievements and their practical work experience. This certification is awarded at four levels:

  • International
  • Advanced
  • Intermediate
  • Technical

depending on how applicants meet the ISWA criteria.

View details and guidelines here

2. Innovate2016 (Manchester)

View details here

3. Launch of £8.8 Million Low Carbon Across the South East (LoCASE) Scheme for Green Businesses

The Low Carbon Across the South East (LoCASE) Programme will provide grants and business support to low carbon small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to help them grow and develop new products and services.
The scheme will also provide grants and free environmental audits to any type of SME to help improve their environmental performance, such as reducing energy costs or installing renewable energy systems.
Additionally, the programme will be offering support to the community energy sector, and will be developing renewable energy and low carbon projects across the East Sussex, Kent and Essex region.

Read more here

4. The CEF Synergy call Virtual Info Day (October 10)

The CEF Synergy call will provide financial assistance to projects of common interest (PCIs) in the fields of energy and transport under the Connecting Europe Facility (CEF).

The call, that opened on 28 September, supports in particular areas such as smart energy grids, electric mobility, intelligent and sustainable transport systems, joint rights of way of infrastructure coupling.

Read more here

5. Statistics on Renewable Obligation Certificates

Monthly data on the number of certificates issued for generation under the Renewables Obligation.

View the reports here

Waste Stories 26/09/2016

 

10th anniversary1.Low carbon networks and innovation conference

The 2016 Low Carbon Networks & Innovation Conference provides an opportunity to explore the key learnings from electricity and gas network innovation projects. The programme will provide unparalleled networking opportunities in addition to project focused presentations and workshops.

Co-hosted by Electricity North West and taking place at the iconic Manchester Central, the LCNI Conference will be held on 11-13 October 2016.

See conference details here

2. Webinar on EU funding opportunities for health research

If you are interested in the EU Horizon 2020 opportunities coming up in 2017 for organisations that operate in the health sector, register now for a webinar on 10 October. The webinar, for UK stakeholders, is jointly organised by the Medical Research Council (MRC), Innovate UK and the Knowledge Transfer Network (KTN), with representation from the European Commission’s DG Research.

Register here

3. HOPE European exchange programme for health managers

HOPE – which stands for Hospitals of EurOPE – is an exchange programme which offers NHS colleagues in leadership positions a unique opportunity to exchange time in their healthcare system with another EU member state for four weeks. Not only does it encourage networking and the sharing of ideas and good practice across Europe; it helps hosting organisations look at their services from a fresh perspective, including how to make improvements to patient care.

The exchange part of the programme is followed by an international meeting for all participants. The 2017 programme will run from 15 May – 14 June 2017. 

Read more here

4. St Andrew’s Prize for the environment 2017

The St Andrews Prize for the Environment is an initiative of the University of St Andrews in Scotland and the independent exploration and production company, ConocoPhillips.Launched in 1998, the St Andrews Prize aims to find and reward entrepreneurs worldwide who have developed original and practical ideas for coping with specific environmental problems. Such ideas must be designed to lead to action and be realistic, realisable and easy to replicate elsewhere while taking account of any social or economic implications. Examples of the type of topics applicants might choose to focus on are:
  • Biodiversity
  • Sustainable development
  • Urban regeneration
  • Recycling
  • Health and environmental health
  • Waste, water and sanitation issues
  • Renewable energy
  • Wildlife conservation including reducing animal-human conflict
  • Land use and maintenance
The prize is managed by a group of distinguished trustees from a wide variety of interests and backgrounds. Since its launch, the prize has sought to find and support projects that display innovative solutions to environmental challenges. The quest still continues to support people who display vision, courage and conviction as they take on their individual challenges that will ultimately improve the lives of people living on this planet, or seek to protect the world’s natural and cultural heritage. Individuals and organisations worldwide are eligible to apply (including multi-disciplinary teams and community groups). The overall winner receives US$100,000, and each of the other two finalists receive US$25,000. The deadline for the 2017 prize is October 2016.

 

Read more here

5. Jobs at the Centre for Sustainable Healthcare

The Centre for Sustainable Healthcare (CHS) is looking for two highly able and motivated individuals with experience of healthcare provision or research to join the clinical programme team, as Clinical Programme Manager and Clinical Programe Deputy Director.

View the details and application forms here

 

Waste Stories 19/9/2016

 

10th anniversary1.Waste density conversion factors

See the spreadsheet Copy of uk-conversion-factors-for-waste

2. Results of the consultation of the Fire Prevention Plan

See the documents here

3. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA)’s new strategy for regulation

View the strategy here

4. Defra’s departmental plan 2015 – 2020

Read more here

5. The biofuel autoclave

The Biofuel Autoclave pairs a gasketless non-electric autoclave with a highly efficient, low cost cookstove that can be powered by a variety of biofuels. This creates an autoclave that operates independent of the electric grid, lowering the primary barrier to autoclaving being a viable solution everywhere. It is an attractive solution to infectious waste management in rural areas and in disaster situations, when electric autoclaves may not be appropriate.

Read more here

 

Waste Stories 12/9/2016

 

10th anniversary

1.The Group’s 2017 conference

The Group’s 2017 conference will take place in the Autumn, in Northampton. The theme will be the sustainable management of food waste. More details to follow.

2.Bioremediation approaches for waste antibiotics

The effects of antibiotic contamination may be attenuated by the common reed, new research shows.The study found that the common reed (Phragmites australis), sourced from a temperate estuary with brackish water, had capacity forthe bioremediation of the veterinary antibiotic enrofloxacin (ENR). The authors suggest that salt-marsh plants and their associated micro-organisms could be a valuable asset in the recovery of contaminated estuary environments.

Read the article here

3. Sustainability and public health conference in the East Midlands

3rd November 2016. Stamford Court, The University of Leicester. Panel session to include Martin Reeves and Sheila Salmon (Essex NHS Success Regime

This conference aims to reconnect the enthusiasts and experts whilst looking at a whole systems approach to sustainable development across the health system and in particular the role of systems leadership. The conference is aimed at all those in Midlands and East of England interested and involved in sustainability.

Key Note Speaker: Dr Martin Reeves, Chief Executive Coventry City Council / Chair of the National Cross System Group for Sustainable Development across the Health and Care System
Parallel sessions to include: Local government leadership for place based sustainability Air quality Sustainable foods Commissioning for sustainability Green spaces and mental health Climate change. Expressions of interest to eula.ellis@phe.gov.uk or ring 0300 303 8597

4. The EU referendum and the NHS

The NHS Confederation’s webpage provides continuous insight into the implications of the Leave vote for the NHS through articles, blogs and other resources.

See the website here

5. Initiatives to reduce pharmaceutical waste in the NHS

It has been estimated £300 million of NHS prescribed medicines are wasted each year. This report highlights the issue of pharmaceutical waste in the UK, and outlines the difficulty in measuring and quantifying types and volumes of waste. The report also looks at definitions and causes of waste.
Read the report here

Waste Stories 5/9/2016

10th anniversary1. Student ‘placement’ scheme (with Bywaters)

In the Autumn of 2016, the Group will be trialling a student ‘placement’ scheme. The aim is to provide students with the opportunity to gain first hand work experience in an organisation. For this initial year, the student will be undertaking the placement with the Healthcare division of Bywaters. Bywaters works on the principles of ‘waste elimination and minimisation’. It provides a total waste management service for the collection, storage, transportation and safe disposal of all wastes produced. It works with a number of London’s eminent NHS hospitals (e.g. Guy’s and St Thomas’ and University College Hospital, Kings College) and private sector research facilities (e.g. Francis Crick Institute).

If you would like to be a part of the scheme by offering a ‘placement’ please email terry.tudor@northampton.ac.uk 

2. NHS cuts planned

Plans are being drawn up that could see cuts to NHS services across England. The BBC has seen draft sustainability and transformation plans (STPs) which propose ward closures, cuts in bed numbers and changes to A&E and GP care in 44 areas. There have been have been no consultations on the plans so far.

Read the story here

3. Food waste inquiry by The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is undertaking a public inquiry on food waste in England. The deadline is September 13.

Read the documentation here

4. ISWA World Congress 2016

The ISWA World Congress 2016 will be held in Novi Sad, Serbia, from September 19 – 21.

See the programme and book here

5. Knowaste joins international waste research consortium

Knowaste (which recycles absorbent hygiene products – AHP), has joined a consortium of 12 companies with a challenge to turn waste that would otherwise be incinerated or end up in landfill, into valuable raw materials for the chemical industry.

The types of waste involved include biodegradable waste, nappies, compost and sieving material from wastewater. Knowaste will supply fibre from its unique AHP recycling process, which could be used to make the raw materials for bio-plastics.

Read more here

Waste Stories 17/8/2016

10th anniversary

1.CIWM sustainability and resource awards

The CIWM Sustainability and Resource Awards are now open for entries. If you have an outstanding project, innovation or a success story to shout about this is your time to shine.

For more information click here

2. World Business Monitor from ISWA

Welcome to your latest complimentary issue of AcuComm’s Waste Business Monitor (WBM). This issue provides analysis of all projects reported on in June 2016: 77 in total, with an estimated investment value of just over US$4.6 billion. Waste-to-Energy incineration projects represented 43% of reported new or planned waste project capacity this month.
WBM provides an ongoing and comprehensive analysis of current projects in the global waste industry, enabling you to establish the level of activity in the different sectors of the waste industry around the world. The data in is taken from AcuComm’s proprietary Business Database. This is a database of projects compiled and maintained by us on a daily basis. The information in it is not readily available from any other source.
To access the issue, please click here

 

3. New free tool to help waste management industry assess workforce competences

The Competence Assessment Tool has been developed by the SWITCH Forum (Scottish Waste Industry Training Competency and Health & Safety) to help managers, supervisors and team leaders in the waste management industry to assess individuals and their teams against a range of competences and skills relevant to their job roles.

For more details, click here

4. Dr Colin Church to become new CEO of the CIWM

The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has announced that Dr Colin Church, formerly Director of Environmental Quality at Defra until earlier this year, will be taking over from Steve Lee as Chief Executive Officer in the Autumn.

Dr Church has extensive experience in strategic environmental policy making and in his most recent role at Defra was responsible for government policy on issues including climate change adaptation, air quality, industrial pollution prevention, local environment quality, resource efficiency and waste, and sustainable procurement. He managed the Government’s support for waste infrastructure development, led for Defra on climate change mitigation, and was also a non-executive director of WRAP, the waste reduction and resource efficiency body.

Read more here

5. Funding opportunities for energy efficiency

Innovate UK is offering businesses and universities a share of up to £19 million to develop innovative solutions to global energy challenges.

Read more here

6. Technologies to reduce food waste

Cutting-edge technology – from intelligent food labeling to mobile phone-controlled apps and even smart fridges – is set to transform the way consumers shop and control their domestic food waste. For more information click here