Day: 7 December 2001

Doppstadt (UK) Ltd finalises largest ever order for recycling equipment

Doppstadt (UK) Ltd, the Glasgow-based recycling equipment specialists, are in the final stages of securing the first UK order for a powerful two in one shredder. The customer, one of the leading wood recyclers in the UK, has already used Doppstadt shredders for a number of years, and the new machine, which represents a sizeable investment, is expected to allow the company more flexibility in the type of wood waste that can be accepted for recycling.

Gas ovens pollute homes with high levels of nitrogen dioxide

Nitrogen dioxide (NO2) levels inside people’s homes could be higher than outside in the street – with 25% of homes exceeding World Health Organisation recommended safety levels, and it’s all thanks to gas ovens and unventilated gas heaters, says new research into indoor air quality.

Energy efficient festive lights use 99% less energy than conventional lights

Light emitting diode (LED) lights, which are only 0.04 Watts per bulb, use ten times less energy than standard mini-lights, and last up to 100,000 hours indoors, are a more environmentally-friendly festive decoration for the holiday season, says a US energy efficiency advisory service.

Human palate best for identifying water impurities

The human palate is the most sensitive instrument for testing water, say water authorities in Nevada in the US, who are paying $100,000 to have a second panel of water tasters trained up in order to monitor the region’s latest water treatment plant.

Canadian environment ministry proposes to classify road salts as hazardous to environment

Environment Canada, the Canadian environment ministry, has launched a 60-day consultation on whether road salts, which contain inorganic chloride salts, should be categorised as a toxic substance. However, the Canadian government insists that it is not considering a ban on road salts.

North American fires pollute Europe and Greenland

Forest fires in North America in August 1998 which, it has already been revealed, caused elevated ozone levels over Europe, also produced large clouds of nitrogen dioxide (NO2), one of which was subsequently traced to over Greenland, and other, smaller one over the Atlantic Ocean, near to Europe, new research has revealed.

Over-reporting of global fisheries catch mean overfishing problems are worse than feared

Certain countries have been submitting exaggerated fish catch claims to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), according to a study published in Nature on 29 Nov. China is accused of being a main culprit, accounting for 40% of the deviation between actual and reported claims.

Nations agree on environmental standards for exports

A voluntary agreement enabling improved environmental standards for capital goods exports has been signed by 24 out of the 26 Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) export credit agencies (ECAs).

Renewable energy success comes from combined effect of support measures

The European Environment Agency has issued a new report that identifies why some countries have better success with renewable energy projects than others.

Ireland fails in attempt to prevent Sellafield MOX plant opening

Ireland has failed in its legal attempt at an international tribunal to prevent Sellafield's mixed oxide plant (MOX) in the north of England from opening for commercial production of reprocessed fuel for use in nuclear power plants, but the tribunal has ordered better co-operation between the UK and Ireland over the matter.

Flex-mex on trial in the Baltic region

The Baltic Sea is set to become a testing ground for novel mechanisms for reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 2003, according to the Swedish Government.

Germany to reach Kyoto targets

Germany’s Green environment minister, Juergen Trittin has announced that he is confident that Germany will reach its Kyoto Protocol climate protection targets.

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