News in Brief

Defra has published new guidance for this year's new Hazardous Waste Regulations, which came into force in July.

Bringing into force the EU Hazardous Waste Directive and the revised European Hazardous Waste List, the new regulations taking over from the old “special waste” legislation.

They set out procedures to be followed when disposing of, carrying and receiving hazardous waste.

Guidance notes now released by Defra cover offences under the regulations and what could happen to rule-breakers, the provisions to be made in case of emergency and transitional arrangements for those managing hazardous waste under existing permits or exemptions.

The guidance is available at: http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/special/

Dartford borough council has said its new recycling scheme is proving to be a huge success, with latest figures should a 25% increase in recycling rates.

New recycling boxes replaced clear sacks during October's roll out of the “Box-it” scheme. The first two weeks of the scheme has seen an increase from 88 tonnes collected to 110 tonnes.

Lorraine Graham of Cleanaway, the council's contractor for collecting and sorting the borough's waste, said: “We have seen an incredible improvement over the past month and their new recycling scheme appears to be a huge success.”

Cllr Alex Dunn, who holds the recycling portfolio at the council, said: “We have seen a phenomenal rise in recycling since the new box scheme was introduced last month and this is a credit to residents and the Council's staff who have worked very hard. Dartford residents really do understand the importance of recycling.”

Magistrates in Reading have fined a local business 26,000 for running an illegal waste management facility.

The case against Reynolds Excavations Ltd was brought by the Environment Agency after complaints were made by members of the public concerning smoke coming from the operation at Wigmore Lane in 2004.

The company and its director Richard Reynolds pleaded guilty to six charges relating to the lack of a waste management licence and the illegal burning of waste. As well as the fines, the company had to pay over 1,000 in costs, while Mr Reynolds was also personally fined 4,000 with five conditional discharges.

The yard has since been granted a waste management licence, with the Environment Agency pledging that future waste activities will be “strictly regulated”.