Day: 1 September 2000

Scotland’s environmental watchdog to wield tougher powers

The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) is to be given new powers to combat water pollution under new proposals issued for public consultation by the Scottish Executive.

CLAIRE demos sustainable remediation

CLAIRE (Contaminated Land: Applications In Real Environments) is a public/private partnership, which was established in March 1999, to encourage research, practical demonstrations, and applications of remediation technologies to clean up contaminated land, including innovative methods for site characterisation and monitoring. Demonstrations are carried out on actual contaminated sites as CLAIRE Chief Executive Paul Beck explains.

Assessing the risk on polluted land

Before any site regeneration can be initiated by a private developer or a local authority an essential preliminary task is to carry out a risk assessment of the contaminated area. In this special contribution, Steve Wilson, Associate Director of Card Geotechnics Ltd, outlines how risk assessments are undertaken.

Brownfield sites in the spotlight

The regeneration of brownfield sites has moved up the political agenda in the new Millennium with new guidance on cleaning up contaminated land coming into force in April, and with moves being initiated at national and devolved government level to locate and register polluted land, plus the more recent confirmation of a target to ensure that, by 2008, 60% of additional housing should be provided on brownfield sites. This month LAWE reviews progress on reclaiming contaminated land and reports on the application of remediation technology.

Alternative technology offers cleaner air

Reducing traffic emissions is a key element in the drive to clean up the air over Britain, with local authorities taking on greater responsibilities than ever to monitor and improve air quality. The recent expansion of the monitoring network around the country gives a minute by minute account of where pollution arises and a wide range of measures, from improved performance of motor vehicle engines to the use of alternative fuel and power sources, such as gas and electricity, plus a move to more sustainable transport systems, is producing a steady reduction in harmful emissions. LAWE reviews progress in this field and highlights recent developments in technology.

Sutton builds ‘Super-MRF’ to meet recycling targets

A new 24,000 tonnes a year MRF will play a key role in ensuring that the London Borough of Sutton hits the ambitious targets for recycling it has set, culminating in 80% by 2005. LAWE reports on the new facility.

Higher targets set for packaging recovery

PRN rates are likely to rise in 2001 as the Government sets improved targets for the recycling and recovery of packaging waste which should continue to provide a stimulus to growth in the waste management sector and boost demand for waste handling equipment.

Back to the drawing board?

The Industrial Society is dead; long live the Information Society! A step closer to sustainable development, or simply new technology to speed up environmental deterioration? Peter Arnfalk, of the International Institute for Industrial Environmental Economics, wrote this on his PC.

E-licensing on-stream

The Environment Agency isues more than a million licences each year, ranging in scope from simple fishing permits to highly complex licences for industrial purposes. The principle, however, is the same. "E-licensing" is poised to cut through the regulatory red tape.

The answer, my friend

On September 2 1998, the air quality standard for sulphur dioxide was exceeded across a substantial area of the Midlands and South Yorkshire - enough to have caused harm to some members of the public. An 18-month Environment Agency investigation ensued. IEM presents the methodology and the findings.

Emissions trading: permit market evolution

Blue Circle Industries has commissioned a report into just how stable a UK market for emissions trading permits might be. Volterra, in response, created an artificial economy and watched the market evolve.

Who will buy?

Tim Denne, previously deputy director of the Centre for Clean Air Policy in Washington, DC, and whose recent work includes the design of a possible greenhouse gas emissions trading system for the European Commission, looks at the options available to companies under UK emissions trading proposals.

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