Sustainability has numerous, slightly differing definitions. Yet whatever definition you prefer, becoming more sustainable means using resources more intelligently, more thoughtfully, reducing the impact on the environment and on human quality of life. In the end, it’s about doing things ‘better’, about ongoing improvement.
Unsurprisingly, then, ‘doing better’ is a constant theme within this 2006-2007 Review issue of Waste Management World, which contains a wide range of features covering the many facets of, and technologies for dealing with waste. We read about policies and technology that have raised Europe’s tyre recycling rate from 38% to 80% in just 10 years. About moves in the US to reduce climate-damaging methane emissions from landfills and to use that gas as fuel for generating power or for transport. About developments amongst waste-truck manufacturers to reduce vehicle emissions and improve durability and safety for operatives. And about legislation and good practice for landfill restoration and land remediation. Optimization of waste-to-energy is another theme, as is use of gas turbine cogeneration to improve energy recovery from waste-to-energy plants.
This ongoing upward trend across so many fronts within the waste management sector - enabling society to handle its waste in an increasingly sustainable way - is impressive. As is the general level of commitment found within the sector to do even more.
We hope you find this Review issue of Waste Management World a useful resource - it brings together some very valuable contributions from experts across the sector. We would like to take this opportunity to thank those authors, and the other organizations who have collaborated with us on this issue. Thanks also to our many advertisers for their support, without which Waste Management World would not appear. If you contact them, please let them know you saw their advertisement in Waste Management World.
Jackie Jones
editorial director
P.S. Starting in autumn 2006, WMW will have an increased web presence with many more features on-line. Remember to check in at www.waste-management-world.com
