packaging news   

Pressure on Defra to set 2011 packaging targets
Packaging recycling targets for 2011 need to be put in place "as soon as possible" to give companies time to plan for next year, the govt's Advisory Committee on Packaging has warned... read more here

Valpak Comment: Valpak believes progressive future packaging recycling targets are essential to maintain the low cost market based compliance system we currently have. Following the consultation in May this year, we have continued to reinforce the need for targets to be put in place to allow businesses to plan ahead. Although we understand and support the wider review of waste policy which the Government is currently conducting in order to thoroughly investigate other longer term ambitions, this should not delay the immediate requirement to set packaging targets. We are urging parties to make a response to the policy review as soon as possible to echo these concerns.

Global Sustainable Packaging Market to Reach Nearly $143Bn by 2015
The global market for sustainable packaging is projected to reach $142.42bn by 2015, according to a report from Global Industry Analysts. Growth drivers include increased awareness about environmental hazards related to disposal and recycling of packaging wastes, govt initiatives to minimize greenhouse gas emissions, and stringent regulations... read more here

Moves to reduce non-recyclable packaging in Guernsey
The politician in charge of the search for a waste solution for Guernsey says he wants to eradicate non-recyclable packaging... read more here

Coffee pouch recycling powers ahead
A recently-launched project that turns used Kenco coffee pouches into shopping bags has already collected more than 4.5 million items of packaging, its organisers have revealed... read more here

carbon news   

Finance chiefs ignore carbon counting
A survey by the Carbon Trust Standard reveals that many UK companies are not ready to measure their carbon footprint... read more here

Valpak Comment: If you are affected by the CRC and need help calculating your footprint take a look at our new fixed price service and outsource the work to an expert. Find out more at www.valpak.co.uk/carbon

electrical news   

Recycling computers "a wasted opportunity"
Recycling ICT equipment is a "wasted opportunity" due to the energy and environmental savings that can be made by prolonging their operational life instead, according to a report published by reuse charity Computer Aid International... read more here

Valpak Comment: Valpak supports the priority of re-use where possible through our WEEE producer compliance scheme. Legitimate re-use covers organisations who carry out stringent testing of products and who sell or donate goods back into the community and is monitored closely to ensure that export is carried out legally and does not break any EU or global laws.

"Three Reasons Why a Ban on E-waste Exports is Wrong"
This US comment article argues that: "Although electronic waste can be harmful to people and the environment, banning it outright can have negative impacts, too..." read more here

UK university leads Nigerian e-waste initiative
The University of Northampton is helping to educate people in Nigeria dealing with e-waste about how to do their jobs safely as the country becomes a "digital dump" for e-waste from the EU / US... read more here

batteries news   

Retailers praised for battery take-back response
Retailers have shown a high level of awareness and willingness to provide free in-store take-back of waste portable batteries since the regulations requiring them to offer the service came into effect in February 2010, according to the body responsible for enforcing the system... read more here

Valpak Comment: Valpak now has almost 40,000 battery collection containers across the UK. Collections started in February. Valpak are pleased to say that we are already well on the way to meeting the 10% target. Valpak has been delighted with the support received from retailers and other organisations with many collecting batteries despite not being required to by the new Batteries Regulations.

local authority news   

Council chiefs call for landfill tax to fund allotments
Council chiefs have called on the Govt to make available some of the money raised through landfill tax for people to set up allotments on disused land... read more here

£143m cash boost for north Wales waste plan
Up to £143m has been pledged over the next 25 years by the assembly government to help manage waste in north Wales that cannot be recycled. Research suggests Wales could recycle almost three-quarters of its waste ...
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Swiss report questions benefits of plastic bottle recycling
"Landfilling plastic bottles can have a lower carbon footprint than recycling in countries with recycling yields of lower than 50%, according to a Swiss report..." read more here

Defra clarifies position on 'shred and spread'
Councils will no longer be able to count green waste which is given minimal treatment towards their recycling and composting targets following a clarification by the Dept for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs... read more here

Pickles blames rat rise on fortnightly collections
Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has claimed that a report prepared for Defra by the Food and Environment Research Agency in May 2010, entitled 'Rodent infestations in domestic properties in England 2005-2007', was evidence that reducing weekly collections had prompted a dramatic increase in rat numbers... read more here

Waste audits to go private, Audit Commission axed
Councils will be able to appoint their own independent auditors to decide whether their waste services are delivering value for money, after minister Eric Pickles announced plans to abolish the Audit Commission. It is anticipated that the new system will be in place by 2012-13... read more here

commercial waste news   

Minister: (Voluntary) deals the way forward for business waste
The Govt wants to work with businesses to help them reduce their waste and increase recycling through voluntary responsibility deals, Environment Minister Lord Henley has said. Working with businesses to put in place voluntary responsibility deals on waste will remove the need for further regulation and will lead to less waste and more recycling with the added benefits of businesses saving money and helping to protect the environment...
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UK govt urged to evaluate biochar potential with trial schemes
The idea of burying charcoal produced from microwaved wood to tackle global warming is still beset with scientific uncertainties, says the UK govt's first report on "biochar". The warning comes as a separate US study published this week said that as much as 12% of global greenhouse gas emissions could be offset by biochar ... read more here

EU's ELV target "challenging"
The Dept for business, innovation and skills has admitted the target set by the EU for it to recycle, recovery or reuse 85% of end-of-life vehicles is a "real challenge", after issuing figures revealing that the UK again narrowly missed the goal in 2008... read more here

Industry recommendations to reduce food waste are unveiled
New research ("Insights around the domestic refrigerator and Understanding consumer use of the freezer") suggests that better use of fridges and freezers in the home could help reduce the £12bn pa worth of food and drink that is needlessly thrown away... read more here

general news   

Minister: AD not always best treatment route
Waste and recycling minister Lord Henley has said he does not support anaerobic digestion over every other waste treatment technology and understands that for many waste streams incineration is the preferred route...
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