The prior assessment of Plans and Projects is regarded as a key step in the move towards sustainable development within the European Union.  The Amsterdam Treaty of 1997 confirmed sustainable development as an objective of the EU and required that environmental protection be integrated into all EU policies.  The SEA Directive, adopted in June 2001,...

Revised directives on waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and major accident hazards (Seveso III) have been published following final approval by EU ministers. The recast WEEE directive applies tougher national collection targets The existing collection target – at least four kilograms per person from private households – will remain in place until the end...

A new certification and audit scheme for recycling post-consumer plastics will be officially launched Europe-wide in August. EuCertPlast was devised and launched by converters, recyclers and collectors of plastic in order to certify and audit post-consumer plastics recycling and aims to standardise transparency, waste traceability, and environmentally friendly best practices within the plastics recycling industry...

Harvesting rainwater and recycling greywater are well known and established practices. Blackwater reuse (from toilets) does not have as high a profile, but that may change after it has been used at the 2012 Olympic Games. Wastewater from London’s sewers will be treated and used to fill toilets, for landscape irrigation at the Olympic Park...

The Water Pollution Act (1977) defined a ‘trade effluent’ as an effluent, “which is discharged from premises used for carrying on any trade or industry (including mining) but does not include domestic sewage or storm water”. All ‘trade effluents’ must be licensed. Discharges of domestic-type wastewater (sewage) from commercial and industrial premises to municipal sewers...

The Water Framework Directive (2000/60/EC) is a law which aims to protect and improve the quality of all waters throughout the European Union. The key objectives of the Directive are to: protect and enhance the status of aquatic ecosystems promote sustainable use of water provide for sufficient supply of good quality water provide enhanced protection and...

Minimize potential environmental liability by ensuring that your business, employees and contractors understand: Legal & corporate requirements Their duties & obligations What to recognize What actions to take What and How to report Who is responsible Why it is important ECOS builds in-house expertise using a range of formal and informal training forums including one to...

The Water Services (Amendment) Act 2012  requires water services authorities to maintain a register of domestic waste water treatment systems in their functional areas. The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA) has developed a central on-line registration system and will manage the system on a shared-service basis for the water services authorities. Under the Act, owners...

Farmers have collaborated with scientists in France to evaluate agri-environmental measures that reduce soil erosion and surface water pollution at a catchment level. The exercise helped the farmers understand the benefits of the measures and provides an example of how policymakers could engage with stakeholders under the Water Framework Directive (WFD). The farmers helped develop...

Clare County Council is increasing its monitoring of illegal waste activity such as fly-tipping, backyard burning of waste and illegal waste. Enforcement work is carried out regularly and in conjunction with other local authorities, the Gardaí and other state agencies, while the Council also is utilising CCTV surveillance to detect illegal waste activity. Clare County Council...