News from 30 August 2011 on edie

Coffin gets a new life as it is put out for recycling in Surrey

A coffin, a sailing boat, and giant polystyrene snowman are just some of the wacky items people have dropped off at Surrey County Council's community recycling centres.

Thames Water names Swindon UK’s most ‘water conscious’ town

Swindon has been named the UK's most 'water conscious' town by Thames Water as it launches its interactive water calculator in a bid to encourage people to save water.

Defra looks to consult on proposals to close waterways advisory body

Defra has launched a consultation on government proposals to abolish the Inland Waterways Advisory Council (IWAC).

Outer space nuclear power plant plans revealed

Nuclear power plants built on the Moon or Mars could fit in a suitcase and would need no water towers, according to researchers developing a prototype.

Water companies help Environment Agency improve river standards

The Environment Agency (EA) has today (30 August) published a list of the 10 most improved rivers in the UK, with the list including one river than was officially declared a 'sewer' in the 1960s.

US solar industry booms according to new figures

Photovoltaic (PV) manufacture alone is worth almost $2bn to the US solar industry and account for 99% of exports, according to new figures.

Dustcart doubles up as zombie battering ram for Brad Pitt movie

A refuse vehicle is about to claim its 15 minutes of fame by starring in a new zombie thriller, World War Z, starring Brad Pitt.

Scottish Executive considers tougher measures for producer responsibility

Questions have been raised over whether companies are doing enough in relation to their producer responsibility obligations, in a new study from the Scottish Executive.

Ireland’s biggest community wind farm moves a step closer

A project claiming to the largest community wind farm in Ireland has moved a step closer this week after being given planning permission.

Wind power blasts ahead in generation figures

Wind power production has soared in the last three months while fossil fuels have fallen, according to new figures from the government.

VIDEO: Veolia recovers precious metals from street sweepings

Veolia has announced plans to recover minute amounts of the rare metal palladium from street sweepings using a novel soil washing-based technology it has developed.

Thames Water announces revised reservoir planning application

Thames Water is to put forward a revised planning application to build residential properties on a redundant reservoir site in Reading.

Day: 30 August 2011