Grant scheme for Septic Tanks

The Minister for the Environment, Phil Hogan, announced on 17 December 2012 that a grant scheme will be available for householders whose septic tanks and other domestic waste water treatment systems need repairing or updating following inspection under the Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012. Householders will need to register their system by 1 February 2013...

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Ireland fined €3.5m for failing to comply with environmental law

Ireland has been fined €3.5m by the European Court of Justice for failing to comply with environmental law. In two judgements the Court of Justice of the European Union ruled that Ireland has to pay financial penalties for failure to comply with earlier Court judgments that established a breach of EU environmental law. This is...

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Urban Wastewater Directive: Parameters and Quality Values

Directive 98/15/EC replaces directive 91/271/EEC and provides standards for treatment for urban waste water. The directive is implemented in Ireland by S.I. 254/2001 Urban Waste Water Treatment Regulations, 2001 and S.I. 440/2004 Urban Waste Water Treatment (Amendment) Regulations, 2004 Parameter & Quality Values ECOS Environmental Consultants Limited

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European Week for Waste Reduction

The European Week for Waste Reduction (EWWR) in 2012 has enjoyed its biggest ever year. The week, which was first launched in 2009 by the LIFE project ‘EWWR’ (LIFE07 INF/F/000185), saw 10 793 separate actions organised across 25 European and two non-European countries, 17-25 November 2012. The LIFE project launched the EWWR to promote reductions in the amount of...

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How sustainable is your supply chain?

Sustainability is a collaborative process and an accountable supply chain process can assist greatly in its success. Ceres  has created a free 20-page template to help companies assess which business partners may be putting their own sustainability agenda at risk.  The Ceres Supplier Self-Assessment Questionnaire (SAQ): Building the Foundation for Sustainable Supply Chains offers a series...

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Sustainable Supply Chain Strategies

According to a new report from independent analyst firm Verdantix., the world’s largest food producers need to Invest in more robust codes of conduct for the management of environmental issues in the supply chain Set a broader range of targets for improved future performance, The study finds significant variation in the ambition and robustness of the...

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Resource efficiency saves individual businesses €30,000 per annum

The Green Hospitality Programme launched a new booklet for the hospitality sector – “Resource Efficiency in the Hospitality Sector”. This booklet contains numerous case studies, on how to reduce utility costs through resource efficiency. Being resource efficient reduces the impact of business emissions on the environment. Highlighting how protecting the environment, can go hand in...

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Sustainability, Environmental Policy Targets: Reference Documents

Progress towards environmental sustainability can only be measured and monitored in a reliable way if robust data, indicators and tools are available.  Policy targets and associated indicators are also essential for constructive action to address the long-term challenge of sustainability in Europe. Sustainable development aims to improve quality of life without compromising the well-being of...

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Water, Waste and Wastewater – Legal and Corporate Requirements

All businesses have legal and corporate requirements relating to water and wastewater. ECOS provides environmental advice to all types of businesses. We help our clients meet their business needs, be legally compliant and operate in line with best practice. Projects have included: Water, Waste and Wastewater – Treatment, Best Practice, Recovery & Reuse Environmental Management...

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New publication makes the case for business to engage in water valuation

The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) launched a new publication that demonstrates the business case for companies to engage in water valuation. Water Valuation: Building the business case paves the way towards the integration of true water values and true water costs into decision-making. Water availability is increasingly limited. Globally, water resources are...

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