Waste Stories 3/2/2015

Healthcare

1.US EPA to propose new regulations for pharmaceuticals

The EPA plans to propose new regulations this year to address the management of hazardous waste pharmaceuticals under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The agency anticipates issuing a notice of proposed rulemaking on this issue in June 2015, according to its updated regulatory agenda, the availability of which was announced in the Federal Register on December 22, 2014 (79 Fed. Reg. 76,772).

Read the story here: EPA guidelines on pharmaceutical waste

2. Half day master class in planning, at CIWM HQ

In partnership with ENDS and Waste Planning magazine, CIWM is delighted to offer a half-day masterclass on ‘Smarter Planning and Delivery for Waste’. Three highly experienced speakers will cover the vital issues facing those working in the waste sector, including guidance for robust and compliant waste planning, advice on locating suitable locations for waste facilities (with reference to what the new waste policy means for development in the green belt) and how to effectively communicate plans for waste development to the wider community.

See booking details here: CIWM master class in planning

3. Defra digest of waste and resources

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has published key statistics from the waste and resources sector in a single publication.

See the report here: Defra waste digest

4. North Bristol NHS Trust uses ‘robots’ to move waste

North Bristol National Health Service (NHS) Trust has rolled out a new automated waste collection system using containers from bin manufacturer Taylor and automated guided vehicles (AGVs) from automative specialists Swisslog.

Read the story here: North Bristol NHS waste ‘robots’

 

Waste Stories 27/1/2015

Healthcare

1. Waste manager’s job at Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

The Trust is one of the ten elite teaching and research acute Trusts that form the Shelford Group. It has a turnover of almost £1billion a year, with almost 1.5 million patient contacts and over 13,000 members of staff. It generates 5,000 tonnes of waste a year, from two major acute teaching hospitals (RVI & Freeman) as well as the Campus for Ageing & Vitality, Dental Hospital, International Centre for Life and over a dozen community healthcare sites across the city (what were PCT properties). Waste to landfill was discontinued in January 2011 and rates of recycling have steadily increased since then to approach a rate of 50% (for non-clinical). The efforts have led to: inclusion as a best practice example in the government’s national waste prevention guidelines, winning the Green Nephrology Award 2012, finalists in Healthcare Recycler of the Year 2014 and most recently achieving the Carbon Trust Standard for Waste (only the second NHS Trust to achieve this and the first of the Shelford Group)

Deadline for applications is February 8, 2015. Details of the post can be found here: Newcastle upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust waste manager’s job

 2. Ebola task force calls for assistance

Read more here: WasteAid International and Disaster Waste Recovery task force

3.Resource Event 2015, 3rd – 5th March | ExCel, London

Resource is a three day congress with an exhibition that brings together exponents of the circular economy. Businesses both large and small will attend Resource to make connections, share learning and explore the opportunities to be more circular. The show will host a two theatre conference programme, 24 workshops, networking and stand spaces for interaction with the companies from the circular economy and resource sector.

See details here: Resource Event 2015

4. Environment Agency launches IsItWaste Tool

IsItWaste is a self assessment tool to help you decide whether your material is likely to be a waste or not. The tool is based on the By-Products (Article 5) and End of Waste (Article 6) parts of the Waste Framework Directive (WFD 2008/98/EC). This version of the tool is for England only.

Access the tool here: IsItWaste tool