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 19/5/2015

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1. Addenbrooke’s Hospital is top for waste management

When it comes to waste management, Cambridge University Hospitals (CUH) has come out top. The Carbon Trust awarded CUH a score of 89% for its waste management, higher than any other NHS Foundation Trust.

Read the story here: Addenbrooke Hospital

2. ISWA/Finnovaregio financing opportunities alert

The ISWA Financing Opportunities Alert is the result of a co-operation between ISWA and Finnovaregio.  The aim of this co-operation is to provide ISWA members with regular information on calls related to waste management projects.

Read more here: ISWA financing opportunities

3. Joint Healthcare Waste and Resources Research Group and ISWA International conference

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 Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Trust in London. Topics to be covered will include current and emerging technologies, sustainability and preparing for emergencies.

4. Environmental Audit Committee scrutiny of sustainability in the NHS

In March, as part of its inquiry on sustainability in the NHS, the UK Government’s Environmental Audit Committee held a public evidence session to examine sustainable development governance and operations.  MPs questioned SDU’s Sonia Roschnik, the Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Dr Gina Radford and John Holden, head of Policy Partnerships & Innovation at the Department of Health on the extent to which the NHS is set up to deliver on the Sustainable Development Strategy and progress so far.

Read more here: Environmental Audit Committee scrunity

5. EU circular economy consultation to be launched

Recently, Environment Commissioner, Karmenu Vella, confirmed in a speech at the European Business Summit that the European Commission is “…about to launch an online public consultation on the main options of the [Circular Economy Package] plan”, which he added would be “significantly ambitious”.

Read the story here: Circular economy consultation

6. ERRIN Network

Founded in 2001, ERRIN is a Brussels-based platform of  Research and Innovation Organisations and Stakeholders in Regions. ERRIN  aims to strengthen regional Research and Innovation capacities by exchanging information, sharing best practice, supporting European project development, policy shaping and profile raising by working together with a partnership approach.

Read more here: ERRIN

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’