RoHS Directive comes into effect
New regulations on the use of hazardous substances in electrical goods came into force in Europe on 1 July. RoHS, the Restriction of Hazardous Substances Directive, aims to prevent the use of hazardous materials in electrical equipment, and restricts the use of lead, cadmium, mercury and hexavalent chromium, as well as two groups of flame retardants in new electrical and electronic goods placed on the market in the European Economic Area after this date.
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But according to UK environmental consultancy eco3, many firms are in danger of failing to comply with the regulations unwittingly. There is a particular threat for importers of electrical equipment whose product is on the water and won’t clear customs until after 1 July. They will not be able to sell this product after 1 July if it is non-compliant, as it is the date of arrival that is key rather than the date of order. Penalties for getting it wrong vary widely across the EU, but can be as much as € 15 million and up to 10 years in prison.
Islands worldwide face major waste problem
The world’s islands face a major waste management problem with their growing volumes of waste, a worldwide survey has shown. The study, carried out by global research organization World Island Network (WIN), showed that nearly all of the 51 island governments that took part managed their waste through insufficient landfill zones with 96% stressing an ‘urgent need’ for an alternative.
The problem is now as serious as rising sea levels, over-fishing, water shortages and disaster response. Ben Le Huray, Director of Operations for WIN, said that the problem was a global one, with islands contributing to the study from European, Caribbean, Atlantic, Pacific and Indian waters. ‘The world’s islands are facing a waste management time bomb,’ he said. For more information visit www.worldislandnetwork.com
European PET bottle recycling exceeds expectations
Petcore has announced that European post-consumer PET collection rates reached 796,000 tonnes in 2005, a 15.1% increase over the previous year. The increase in PET collection continues to exceed growth in consumption. The largest boost came from Germany where collection shot up 32% to reach over 200,000 tonnes. Significant growth was observed in other countries too, especially in Poland and France.
ACR+ pushes for ‘better regulation’
Following the International Conference ‘Better Regulation for Waste’, ACR+ has invited the European Commission to pursue the better regulation process actively, along three paths:
- to codify the existing European waste law in an integrated manner, according to key themes such as treatment operations, producer responsibility, specific flows and waste movements
- to fill in the gaps in the existing legal framework, for instance by proposals for Directives on composting or recycling
- to formulate proposals that harmonize economic instruments across Europe, like landfill taxes or reduced VAT rates for reuse and recycling activities.
The Conference also identified a series of concrete amendments to the proposal of the new Waste Framework Directive. For more information visit www.betterregwaste.org
US plastics recycling group to engage in policy debates
For the first time in its history, the Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers has taken positions on legislative proposals, the first step in positioning the organization as a key contributor to the policy debates that impact plastics recycling.
The APR, a Washington, DC-based trade organization whose members represent more than 90% of the plastic bottle recycling capacity in North America, ‘has been working for several years on programmes to address the number one issue for our industry - generating a stable supply of raw material for our facilities - in this case recyclable plastics,’ said Bill O’Grady, Vice President of Operations for Talco Plastics in Corona, California, and Chairman of APR. ‘It became more apparent as time went on that as an organization, we needed to engage in the public debate on issues relating to plastics recycling.’
The four positions taken by APR include support of legislation calling for recycled content to be required in certain containers; opposition to efforts to repeal any of the existing 11 deposit programmes already in place, as well as support for legislation expanding deposit legislation in those states to include all non-carbonated plastic bottles such as water and juice bottles; and support for legislation that would ban the disposal of certain plastic bottles in landfills.
Paper and cardboard - recovery or disposal?
The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published a report entitled ‘Paper and Cardboard - recovery or disposal’. This report presents a review of existing environmental and economic studies covering alternative recovery and disposal options for waste paper and cardboard.
The review process was divided into two sequential parts. A review of life-cycle assessment (Part 1), carried out in 2003/2004. A review of cost-benefit analysis (Part 2), carried out in 2004/05. For more information visit: http://reports.eea.europa.eu/technical_report_2006_5/en
JCB responds to earthquake with machine donation
JCB has announced plans to donate machines to help in the massive clear-up operation in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Java. Almost 6000 people died in the 6.3 magnitude quake near the city of Yogyakarta last month. Thousands of people were injured and as many as 200,000 people are thought to have been left homeless.
JCB is now donating two backhoe loaders and a Robot skid-steer loader in response to the need for equipment to assist in the clear-up of collapsed buildings and debris. The machines will be deployed through Oxfam.
New government review of UK waste market
A major new government report into how the UK disposes of millions of tonnes of domestic waste annually has been released, highlighting significant challenges facing the industry in the near future. Specifically, the report [produced by the Office of Government Commerce (OGC)] identifies the need for:
- a co-ordinated picture of local authority waste procurement plans
- a better flow of projects through the procurement pipeline
- the adoption of appropriate funding and procurement models
- the need for ‘hands-on’ support for local authority procurements within the waste management marketplace.
To implement the OGC recommendations, DEFRA has also announced the establishment of the Waste Infrastructure Development Programme that will work with local authorities and the regions to improve strategic shaping of the market.
In addition, the Office of Fair Trading (OFT) has produced a report assessing the impact of public procurement practices on competition in the municipal waste sector. It makes a number of practical recommendations for central and local government to ensure that they maximize the benefits of competition. The OFT report, ‘More Competition, Less Waste’, is available on the OFT website.
Dell announces new global recycling policy
Dell has announced plans to provide free recycling of its products for consumers around the world as part of its new global recycling policy. Dell currently offers consumers no-charge recycling of any brand of used computer or printer with the purchase of a new Dell computer or printer. This service includes home pick-up of the used computer at no charge.
Under its new policy, Dell will provide consumers no-charge recycling of any Dell-branded product, regardless of whether a replacement product is purchased. The company plans to launch the service in the US by September 2006, and globally by November. It is currently available in Europe. Dell has been focused on developing market-driven consumer recycling services for several years.
New reports on waste oil and waste definitions in Denmark
The Danish Topic Centre on Waste and Resources (the Topic Centre), commissioned by the Danish Environmental Protection Agency, has published two new reports.
The Topic Centre analysed the possible effects of the Commission’s proposal to repeal the requirement to regenerate waste oil, and its proposal to include a new Article (11) on end-of-waste in the revised Directive.
The reports provide a state-of-the-art summary of ‘what is known,’ as a platform for further research.
EPA improves standards for recycling of CRTs
The US EPA is streamlining the federal hazardous waste management requirements for cathode ray tubes (CRTs) and CRT glass destined for recycling. ‘A discarded CRT represents an opportunity lost,’ said EPA Assistant Administrator Susan Bodine. ‘This rule will help encourage the reuse and recycling of CRTs, which puts these resources back to productive use, rather than into the nation’s landfills.’
The roles of composting and bioreactor landfills
Composting and bioreactor landfills are two distinct and compatible approaches for improving solid waste management. While some people consider these technologies as conflicting, SWANA (The Solid Waste Association of North America) and USCC (The US Composting Council) believe that they each serve beneficial but different roles and different functions in integrated waste management. To read the full statement, visit www.swana.org.
Australia leads the way in paper recycling
Australia remains the world leader in newspaper recycling, reaching a new peak of 75.4% recovery of all newsprint consumed in 2005, according to statistics released by the Publishers National Environment Bureau (PNEB).
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Recovery of old newspapers rose by 3% over 2004 (from 574,976 to 592,485 tonnes), outstripping consumption of newsprint which rose 1.8% (785,938 tonnes in 2005).
Frank Kelett, PNEB Executive Director, said: ‘This is an outstanding result for Australian local kerbside recycling systems which are the world’s best in terms of participation and yield, backed by publishers making sure that all press waste and returns goes to recycling instead of landfill.’
Golder establishes NGO for waste
Golder Associates, a leading global ground engineering and environmental services group of companies, announced that it is taking the lead in establishing a new NGO (non-governmental organization) which will address the issue of waste when disaster strikes.
The driving force behind the new NGO is Martin Bjerregaard of Golder. ‘Unfortunately, the world will be experiencing an increasing number of disasters as a result of both communities becoming more vulnerable and the dynamics of natural climate change and events,’ he said. ‘However, until now there was no international NGO dedicated to addressing environmental issues and waste in particular as a core area of expertise.’
Golder is calling upon individuals and businesses within waste management, water sanitation, manufacturing, academia, government and consultancies to support the formation of an independent waste NGO. For further information contact Martin Bjerregaard (Tel: +44 7971 492957; e-mail: mbjerregaard@golder.com).
CIWM 2006
‘Changing the face of waste management’ was the theme at the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management’s Annual Conference and Exhibition in Torbay, UK this year (12-16 June).
The conference covered a broad range of topics, including the political challenges in delivering infrastructure and targets; planning and investment issues; hazardous waste; health and safety challenges; modernizing regulation; recycling targets; biological treatment; and landfill technologies. It also incorporated the 5th International Symposium on Waste Treatment technologies, focusing in particular on energy from waste.
The Exhibition was marginally (18 exhibitors) smaller than CIWM 2005 (the event’s biggest-ever year). This was in part due to space restrictions caused by a switch in favour of indoor stand space. CIWM will be making more indoor space available next year.
WRAP data on the state of the used-tyre reprocessing industry
A number of reports, commissioned by WRAP (the UK’s Waste & Resources Action Programme) to collate information and guidance on the state of the used-tyre reprocessing industry have now reached completion and have been published on the organization’s website. The new information includes:
- case studies on innovative uses of tyre-derived rubber
- a set of good practice guides
- a set of independent market analysis reports examining the official DTI statistics for tyre disposal and reuse in the UK
- a UK tyre stockpiles review.
- information on WRAP Tyres events.
Steve Waite, Tyres Project Manager at WRAP, said ‘WRAP’s Tyres programme is still a relatively new programme, but we are now seeing the fruits of its early labours. We have been working with the tyres industry to provide this information and hope it will be useful to our many stakeholders in determining the future of post-consumer tyres following their ban from landfill next month.’
For more information go to www.wrap.org.uk/materials/tyres
Skills shortage in UK waste industry
A skills shortage in the waste management industry is resulting in grim implications for the environment and hefty fines for local councils, according to a new release from City & Guilds. Over half (53%) of potentially recyclable waste that cannot be correctly differentiated and separated by recycling staff ends up in the bin - and then on to landfill. Encouragingly, nine out of 10 of those questioned were keen to undertake training to do their job more effectively.
EESC studies the waste and the natural resources strategies
The European Economic and Social Committee (EESC) has drawn up two Opinions studying the EC’s waste strategy and natural resources strategy. While the EESC endorses the Commission’s desire to modernize, simplify and adapt the laws governing waste, it regrets that the provisions for waste prevention lack ambition.
For more information, visit http://eesc.europa.eu/documents/opinions/avis_en.asp?type=en
IKEA to reduce plastic bag consumption by 20 million
To support the UN’s World Environment Day (5 June 2006), IKEA is working with the Environment Agency to reduce plastic bag consumption. IKEA UK thinks its reforms will reduce plastic bag consumption by 20 million during 2007.
IKEA is set to make three changes designed to have a positive impact on the environment:
- IKEA will stop offering free plastic carrier bags, and will instead charge shoppers for each plastic bag they use, to encourage a switch to reusable bags.
- It will only offer plastic carrier bags that are biodegradable.
- To further encourage use of reusable bags, it will reduce the price of its iconic reusable ‘Big Blue Bag’ to £0.25 (€0.35).
Charlie Browne, Environment Manager at IKEA UK, said: ‘The UK is addicted to plastic bags, and we are paying a high price for this in environmental terms. IKEA UK will reduce the cost of the famous reusable Big Blue Bag at the same time as starting to introduce a charge for carrier bags.’
China raises power prices and rewards clean plants
China raised power prices on Friday 30 June 2006 for the first time in over a year, reports Planet Ark, meeting analysts’ expectations of a modest increase to offset higher coal costs but also with an incentive to promote cleaner energy. Apparently plants with desulphurization equipment can now charge a supplement.
ENVAC expands in Europe
Envac, the Swedish company specializing in underground waste transport systems, has announced it is expanding its presence into France and Norway - with Narbonne being the first city in France to be equipped with Envac’s system, and an order from Norway which, once completed, will amount to € 27 million. The system, to be installed in the former Forneby airport area of Norway, will handle waste from 6000 apartments, offices and shops.
in brief
New York approves new waste plan
The New York City Council has passed a Solid Waste Management Plan (SWMP) that will more evenly distribute each borough’s responsibility for the City’s waste and recycling efforts, and relieve overburdened communities.
Keppel to build first WTE plant in Finland
Keppel Seghers has secured a €15 million contract to provide technologies and services for the first waste-to-energy (WTE) plant in Finland. Awarded by Kotkan Energia which supplies power to the city of Kotka, the WTE plant will be able to process 300 tonnes of municipal solid waste a day when it is completed in 2008.
RecycleNet joint venture in India
RecycleNet Corporation has formed a joint venture with Infotrek Syscom Ltd. www.e-exchangeindia.com will focus on the trade of used and scrap computers, televisions, telephones, CRTs and other electronic and electrical equipment.
Europe’s largest WEEE recycling plant opens in Germany
Europe’s largest dismantling centre for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) opened on 24 March this year in Germany, according to Synmet, a manufacturer of recycling equipment. Coinciding with this installation, the German ElektroG Act came into force, based on the European WEEE Directive. Synmet constructed the facility as a main contractor to Remondis.
Random House Inc. aims to increase its use of recycled paper by tenfold by 2010
In the most substantial environmental initiative in the company’s history, Random House, Inc., the US division of Random House, the world’s largest trade book publisher, has announced that by 2010 at least 30% of the uncoated paper it uses to print the majority of its US titles will be derived from recycled fibres. At present, less than 3% of the paper fibres used in Random House, Inc. books comes from recycled sources.
Novelis recycled more than 35 billion aluminium cans in 2005
Novelis Inc., a world leader in aluminium rolling and recycling, reports that it recycled nearly a million tonnes of post-consumer and post-industrial aluminium scrap in 2005, including more than 35 billion used beverage cans - enough to circle the earth more than 100 times if laid end to end.
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‘Recycled aluminium is an important source of raw material for Novelis,’ said Martha Brooks, chief operating officer. ‘Approximately 30% of our metal input comes from recycling. Optimizing the use of recycled metal gives us added agility and flexibility in meeting customer demands. It supports our in-house production of sheet ingot, supplementing our purchases of primary metal. The closed-loop recycling of beverage cans - from store shelf to consumer to store shelf - has been a tremendous success for our industry.’
However, in the US, only 52% of aluminium cans are recycled. According to Pat Franklin, Executive Director of the Container Recycling Institute (CRI): ‘we still are trashing 800,000 US tons of aluminium beverage cans a year’ in spite of ‘record-breaking prices for scrap aluminium cans in 2005.’
MERGERS & ACQUISITIONS
Veolia expansionVeolia Environnement has announced the purchase of Cleanaway Holdings Limited (‘Cleanaway UK’) from Brambles Industries Limited and Brambles Industries plc for £595 million (€859 million). Veolia has also announced that it is to enter the Belgian waste market through the purchase of Severn Trent’s subsidiary, Biffa Belgium, for €45m (£30.7 million). The move will reinforce its position as one of Europe’s leading waste management players.
Brambles sells Cleanaway Australia and NZ
Brambles has announced the sale of Cleanaway Australia and New Zealand and Industrial Services Australia to an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co., the US private equity firm, for A$1.8275 billion in cash (US$1.35 billion).
Shanks acquires UK mainland business and assets of John W. Hannay & Co Ltd Shanks Waste Management Ltd has announced the acquisition of the UK business and assets of John W. Hannay & Co. Ltd. The acquisition includes Hannay’s trade waste and recycling business in Scotland and south-east England, as well as an established and growing security shredding business (mustdestroy.com).
Credential Hazardous sold in £8m deal
Credential Hazardous, the hazardous waste division of Credential Environmental, has been sold to Augean plc, the AIM-listed hazardous waste specialist, for £8.13 million (€12 million).
Labrie purchases Federal Signal’s Leach Refuse Assets Labrie Equipment Limited has finalized the purchase of the Leach refuse truck product lines from Federal Signal Corporation, including related intellectual properties, and specific, but not all, inventories and equipment, and officially gained control of these assets on 1 August 2006. The agreement also includes the parts business, which Labrie will acquire on 1 January 2007.
Network Recycling, SWAP and The Recycling Consortium to Merge Network Recycling Ltd, SWAP (Save Waste and Prosper Ltd) and The Recycling Consortium (TRC) have announced their intention to merge to create a new sustainable waste management consultancy, Resource Futures Ltd. The three companies are now operating under the Resource Futures holding company and the full merger process will be completed in early 2007. The merger will create a company with a combined turnover of over £3.5 million (€5 million), 75 staff and offices in Bristol and Leeds, UK.
Wastequip acquires Pioneer Cover-all
Wastequip, Inc. has announced the acquisition of Pioneer Cover-All, a leading manufacturer of tarping systems used in the solid waste and construction industries. Pioneer sells a variety of product systems, including the ‘Rack n Pinion’ automated tarping system, the HR series, the Tuff Tarper and Hi Roller. Wastequip will retain the well known Pioneer brand name.
