Latest news for Defra 
DEFRA needs to ensure that the revised contaminated land guidance is fit for purpose(07/07/2011)
The contaminated land regime is aimed at dealing with the UK's industrial legacy of contaminated land, which can pose a threat to the health of humans, ecology and groundwater. Supporting the redevelopment of Brownfield land, the UK's contaminated land sector has been a major growth area over the last two decades and is now estimated to be worth over £1 billion a year, with growth projected at 3.5% per year. However continuing uncertainties in re... [more]
EfW plants should not just be seen as a waste treatment plant but also as a power station(04/03/2009)
Waste is a huge problem in the UK. We produce over 300 million tonnes of waste per year, enough to fill the Albert Hall every two hours but our love affair with landfills could soon be coming to an end as we run out of space, and time. So what next? A Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) report outlines a five-pronged action plan, urging Government to listen and stop covering up a problem no-one wants to be dumped with. ‘A Wasted O... [more]
ADAS addresses challenge of diffuse pollution to improve water quality(22/01/2009)
Environmental consultancy ADAS is holding a national conference later this month to discuss the challenge of diffuse pollution. Drawing representatives from water companies across the British Isles, and with speakers from regulators Defra, the Drinking Water Inspectorate and Ofwat, the aim of ‘Water Concerns’ is to investigate and discuss non-capital intensive measures for controlling diffuse pollution in order to improve water quality and del... [more]
Greenview Environmental announces new approach to biogas production(20/12/2008)
According to Defra, the UK has fewer than 20 agricultural digesters producing electricity. According to John Jardine, founder and Chief Executive of Greenview Environmental, this is because everyone is under the illusion it is difficult and expensive. Greenview Environmental has announced a new approach to biogas production and John Jardine explains that he went back to first principles in his design: “Anaerobic digestion is a natural process ... [more]
35 percent of household waste is recycled(13/11/2008)
Defra has published estimates from the Department’s 2007/08 survey of municipal waste. The figures for financial year 2007/08 show a further increase in recycling, a decrease in total municipal waste and a decrease in the amount sent to landfill. These estimates are based on data submitted by all local authorities to WasteDataFlow. The total amount of collected municipal waste has decreased by 0.6 million tones to an estimated 28.5 million to... [more]
Developing countries to be better protected against receiving unwanted waste(14/01/2008)
Developing countries will be better protected against receiving unwanted waste from wealthier nations under revised international rules. The ‘Green List’ regulation - which covers the export of non-hazardous recyclable materials from the EU - has been updated to formally record the wishes of countries outside the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) that have expressed an opinion about the recyclable materials they woul... [more]
Energy intensive manufacturing companies should prepare for Carbon Reduction Commitment scheme(10/12/2007)
Although the government's proposed Carbon Reduction Commitment (CRC) will be implemented in stages from 2010 to 2013, it will affect businesses much sooner because charges are likely to be based on consumption from January 2008 to December 2008. Other initiatives in the CRC proposals are incentives for organisations that take early action to reduce emissions; a charge for energy consumers that exceed their carbon allowance; and a carbon league ta... [more]
Good Practice guide for Agricultural Waste Plastics collection and recovery(08/12/2007)
Whilst details of the Government’s proposals in terms of draft Regulations and consultation are not likely to emerge before 2008, there are a number of measures that farmers in particular should be looking to address now in order to facilitate future recycling of waste plastics and avoidance of landfilling. The Agricultural Waste Plastics Collection and Recovery Programme has issued general guidance to farmers for the handling, segregation and... [more]
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