Month: August 1999

GERMANY: End to landfilling of domestic waste by 2020

An ambitious plan from the German Environment Ministry includes proposals to end all landfilling of domestic waste by 2020, a moratorium on new landfills and legislative change to allow mechanical-biological waste pre-treatment - a form of large-scale composting.

MEXICO: UNESCO given evidence of Mitsubishi saltworks environmental violations

UNESCO scientists investigating the environmental risks posed by a plan by Mitsubishi to build a second large saltworks in Baja Sur, California, have been presented with evidence that Mitsubishi's existing saltworks regularly violate environmental regulations.

MTBE lawsuit alleges contamination in every county in New York state

The first US court case alleging MTBE contamination of private wells used for drinking water has been filed. Announced shortly after the EPA welcomed recommendations to restrict the use of the chemical, a gasoline additive used to reduce vehicle emissions, the lawyers representing New York state citizens whose wells have allegedly been contaminated are publicising a report that suggests there have been more than 1,500 MTBE contamination incidents in the state.

UK report on antibiotic resistance finally released

A study looking at the risks to public health from antibiotic resistance in farm animals has been finally been released. The Soil Association, the UK's organic food certification body, welcomed the study's publication but pointed out that it was completed a year ago and questioned the reasons for the delay in publication.

IRELAND: Tax on plastic carrier bags proposed

The Irish Environment Ministry has proposed a tax of euros 0.04 (I£0.03) on plastic carrier bags in an effort reduce their use. The tax would be paid by suppliers.

SPAIN: Menorca debates eco-tax on tourists

The Balearic Islands' regional government is considering a pilot eco-tax to be levied on tourists visiting Menorca. The tax would be used to establish national parks and restore coastline damaged by years of mass tourism.

Thames Water turns sewage sludge into electricity

Sewage sludge - the solid waste that is left over after sewage has been treated - is being turned into electricity by Thames Water. The electricity generated at 22 sewage treatment works will be pooled with other enterprises' "green" electricity and, from April 2000, will be available for purchase by businesses with power demands of less than 100kW.

EU announces animal feed review following French sewage scandal

An EU inspection of French animal feed practices, following the recent scandal surrounding untreated sewage being fed to pigs, has led to a decision to create an animal feed action plan.

EU urged to provide combined heat and power with fair access to electricity grids

Cogen Europe, the association representing the combined heat and power (CHP) industry, has urged the EU to provide fair access to electricity grids. CHP plants use the heat produced during power generation instead of releasing it into the atmosphere and are therefore represent a much more efficient form of energy generation.

ENGLAND: Government renews scheme that pays farmers to protect biodiversity

England's Countryside Stewardship Scheme, under which farmers apply to receive payments in return for protecting sections of land from over intensive farming, will be renewed. Funding levels for the second stage of the national scheme has yet to be announced, but individual farms seeking renewal of Stewardship agreements will not have to compete for funding with new applicants.

Paper recycling up 50% in 1990s

Paper recycling has increased by more than 50% since the early nineties according to the latest figures released by the Confederation of European Paper Industries (CEPI).

European bank warns against investing in GMOs

The Guardian newspaper, a UK daily, has run a front page story about two Industry Updates from Deutsche Bank (DB) Research recommending that investors avoid GMOs. The updates were written by a DB analyst, Timothy Ramey, based in America and were published in May.

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