Compost Awareness Week theme announced
AFOR and the Waste & Resources Action Programme, which organise the week, have teamed up with celebrity eco chef, Arthur Potts Dawson – who co-owns Acorn House restaurant in London's Kings Cross – to encourage people to use home composted material to grow fresh produce in the garden.
A spokesman for AFOR said: “CAW aims to increase awareness and highlight the many benefits and applications of quality compost, as well as home composting. It offers a unique opportunity for producers to promote the benefits of compost made from recycled garden and kitchen waste and open up a dialogue with potential end users, consumers and businesses. It is also a great opportunity for producers to forge links within their local community and to inform residents how compost production can benefit the environment.”
Defra develops carbon reporting framework
The Department for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has revealed that it is developing a carbon accounting system for public and private sector organisations and is currently analysing responses to a consultation on the issue which closed on January 19.
Joan Ruddock, under-secretary at the Department for Energy and Climate Change, said in a parliamentary written answer on March 3 that the government was aiming to lay regulations for implementing a carbon reporting system in the spring alongside regulations which will set the level of the first three carbon budgets. She said: “A carbon accounting system is required to determine compliance with the carbon budgets and targets in the Climate Change Act 2008. It will set out the detailed rules for calculating the “net UK carbon account”.”
The Environmental Services Association – which represents waste management companies in the UK – has welcomed the move and said that Defra was considering using its recommended form of reporting, which is based on the French developed EpE Waste Sector Protocol, to help develop sector-specific reporting guidance.
Northern Ireland promotes asphalt recycling
The guidance offers advice to industry on how road planings can be recovered in order to support the reuse of recycled aggregates and divert waste tarmac from landfill. The document provides advice on establishing compliance to a recognised specification, appropriate uses for recycled aggregate, legal compliance and quality control records. The guidance has been developed by the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) and the Quarry Products Association Northern Ireland (QPANI) and compliance is likely to see the planings classified as a product rather than a waste.
Mr Wilson said: “I welcome the development of this practical guidance for the construction industry which provides businesses with a real opportunity to turn waste into a valuable resource.”
Hefty fine for vehicle dismantler
The Environment Agency has fined Evesham-based vehicle dismantler Common Road Vehicle Manufacturers over £8,000 for breaching its waste management licence. Richard Francis Hartwell, aged 46, pleaded guilty last week (April13-17) to four charges relating to non-compliance to his Waste Management Licence and depositing end-of-life vehicles on land which did not have a licence in force.
The EA first inspected the site in September 2007 and found it to be non-compliant. Mr Hartwell was ordered to remove non de-polluted vehicles from unsuitable areas and informed of the non-compliance. Subsequent inspections found vehicles containing polluting liquids still on site, waste, batteries and engines being stored inappropriately and leaking oil and other spills.
Speaking after the case spokesperson for the Environment Agency said: “Mr Hartwell was repeatedly warned about the illegal waste activities taking place on his site. People that operate without an appropriate permit, as granted by Environment Agency, are putting both the environment and human health at risk.” In mitigation, Worcester Magistrates' Court heard that Mr Hartwell accepted that his yard was previously non-compliant and that improvements have now been made to the site.
Sheffield residents urged to get moo-ving
Sponsorship of the animals helps to provide food, shelter and veterinary care. Kate Hodgson, waste awareness officer at Veolia Environmental Services in Sheffield, commented: “We are very grateful to Whirlow Hall Farm Trust for letting us use a corner of their car park to locate this recycling facility. The trust carries out a lot of work that focuses on protecting the environment so having this recycling facility is just an extension of the work they are already doing in the community.”
Veolia Environmental Services began working in partnership with Whirlow Hall Farm in 2006, delivering recycling and sustainability workshops.
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