Day: 22 November 2002

International Business Briefs: water treatment and supply and reuse, and biofuels

In this week’s International Business Briefs, a US$20 million contract for a new water treatment facility; an US$80 million expansion for water systems in Ghana; a new biofuels plant in the US; a bottling plant has saved millions of water through a water reuse programme; and the publication of financial results for two water companies.

Prizes for pioneering solar energy

Pioneers in solar energy and zero emissions are being awarded the 2002 European Solar Prizes, along with those that have worked diligently to promote renewable energy.

Taking hot spots off the Baltic map

A European programme to restore the ecology of the Baltic Sea has successfully tackled 17 polluted areas, leaving 81 ‘hot spots’ in need of cleaning up.

Stricter sentencing for environment crime

A new toolkit to tackle environmental crime has been launched by the Department of Environment. The kit offers guidance to magistrates to deliver effective sentences for environmental offences.

European firms top sustainable reporting

Sustainable reports from companies are getting bigger – but not necessarily better. A survey of corporate reporting finds that firms are still struggling to breach the ‘glass ceiling’ of accountability.

Letter from the Editor: local projects are leading lights

In the week of what is potentially the worst oil spill ever, we need some good news. Fortunately, edie can provide. We should all be thinking global and acting local – according to Agenda 21, and this week’s news is alive with stories of organisations doing just that. From computer recycling to taking on climate change, local projects are leading the way.

The pitfalls of life cycle assessment on packaging

Life cycle assessment is not always the best tool for comparing the environmental impact of different products, says a new report, where poor methodology and misinterpretation of the data can lead to bias against some packaging materials. The European Parliament’s attempt to turn LCA into a standard measure of environmental performance will fail both the packaging industry and the environment.

Paper waste goes up in smoke

The paper industry has expressed disappointment over the European Commission’s recent mandate on solid recovered fuels, which it says will promote the burning of paper that would otherwise be recycled. The industry is calling for the definition of recovered paper to be changed from waste to secondary raw material to boost recycling rates.

Commission proposes clampdown on ship emissions

The European Commission is proposing a new directive on atmospheric emissions from ships, relating to the sulphur content of marine fuel.

Oil spill clean-up should focus on shoreline rather than sunken tanker

Oil sitting in a tanker that sank off the coast of Spain may be better left untouched, despite attempts by an international operation to retrieve the 70,000 tonnes of crude oil trapped in the Prestige’s hull at the bottom the sea.

ICU exhibition to promote UK plc in pollution clean up and remediation markets

NEWS RELEASE: ICU (International Clean Up) the country’s only land remediation and pollution clean up exhibition will be held alongside et2003, the UK’s premier environmental technology and management services exhibition, at the NEC from 8-10 April 2003.

New open channel flow logger helps water companies meet EA regulations cost-effectively

NEWS RELEASE: A new flow logger unit - the latest addition to the new MCU range from Solartron Mobrey - measures instantaneous flow and records daily totals of open channel flows for up to 60 days, in accordance with Environmental Agency (EA) regulations. MCULOG comes complete with PC software LOGView, to provide an ideal solution for flow discharge or intake monitoring, costing about 30% less than equivalent competitive products.

Action inspires action. Stay ahead of the curve with sustainability and energy newsletters from edie

Subscribe

empowering sustainable business