Packaging waste statistics

The environmental impacts caused by the generation and treatment of waste are raising serious concerns. As waste generation also represents an inefficient use of valuable resources, prevention and better management of waste is one of the top priorities of the EU’s sustainable development strategy. Although the magnitude of the different waste streams varies across European...

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A well timed publication? – “New EU-rules on public procurement – ensuring better value for money “

Don’t shoot the messenger – We have listed below the position presented in an article which we saw on the European Parliament website.  Whats your view? “New EU-rules on public procurement will ensure better quality and value for money when public authorities buy works, goods or services, thanks to new award criteria which will put...

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Future access to raw materials is critical to sustainability………a real measure of viability

How important would it be to your business if certain key raw materials were no longer available to you? Would your business be viable or what would you do if your product range decreased dramatically due to the regulations governing the manufacture and application of products? (eg. from from 26 products supplied to many clients...

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€40 million: 14 resource-efficiency research projects

The European Commission has approved funding for 14 new research projects to shape a more resource-efficient economy in Europe. A summary of the 14 resource-efficiency research projects that will receive a total €40 million funding is presented below.   ANAGENNISI (Innovative Reuse of All Tyre Components in Concrete, EU budget contribution: € 3.12 million, Project coordinator: The University...

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EU Funding research on resource efficiency

The European Commission has approved funding for 14 new research projects with the stated aim of shaping a more resource-efficient economy in Europe. The projects, which involve the collaboration of over 140 partners from research organisations and private companies, will tackle the challenges of recycling waste materials from manufactured products and the agricultural sector to...

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Rules on electric waste

Improved rules on the collection and treatment of electric waste entered into force on 13th August 2012.   Currently only one third of electrical and electronic waste in the EU is separately collected within the documented system. The Directive introduces a collection target of 45% of electronic equipment sold that will apply from 2016 and, as a...

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Intelligent waste management

The European Union’s (EU) approach to waste management is based on three principles: waste prevention, reuse and recycling, and improving final disposal and monitoring. In 2010, the total generation of waste from economic activities and households in the EU amounted to 2.570 million tonnes, which equates to 5.1 tonnes of waste per person. The EU-funded project BURBA http://www.burbaproject.net/ (Bottom-up selection, collection and management...

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Surface waters: 12 new controlled chemicals, three pharmaceuticals on watch list

The WFD has been the EU’s main water policy instrument for setting anti-pollution strategies, including measures progressively to reduce or phase out emissions of chemicals listed as priority substances. EQS determine the maximum concentration of a particular pollutant or group of pollutants in water, sediment (any material which is carried by water and settles to...

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FP7 Funding for Water, Waste & Wastewater: Participation of SME Business

FP7 attaches great importance to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The aim for FP7 is to allocate at least an indicative 15% of the total EU funding of roughly €50 billion for 2007–13 to SMEs. SMEs have a role in a range of environmental research topics including water recovery/recycling, water and wastewater treatment, waste management...

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Nitrates Directive: Good Agricultural Practice For Protection of Waters

Directive 91/676/EEC on the protection of waters against pollution caused by nitrates from agricultural sources, relates to management of farm wastes and run off to protect surface water and groundwater. The directive is implemented in Ireland by S.I. No. 101/2009  – European Communities (Good Agricultural Practice For Protection of Waters) Regulations 2009 which revoke, and re-enact with amendments,...

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