How global cities can tackle their food waste According to the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization, 1.6 billion tonnes of food is lost and wasted globally every year, inflicting severe environmental and socio-economic damages.
Are we still clutching at straws when it comes to beating plastic pollution? I have just come back from two weeks in Cyprus where I have been trying to ‘down tools’ and relax after what has been a hectic few months in our sector.
Earned recognition equals road safety for waste vehicles The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) earned recognition scheme was officially launched in April.
UK can improve on EU Circular Economy Package by losing its fixation with weight Last month the government stated in its Brexit White Paper that it would continue to maintain high environmental standards once the UK exits the EU next March.
Gove has got to stay There's no wonder Theresa May called for an early break-up of Parliament given the turbulent time across Westminster.
We should be targeting businesses rather than households with incentivising targets Last month, the Aldersgate group released its report No Time to Waste: An Effective Resources and Waste Strategy.
Overcoming local authority contracting challenges doesn't have to be a headache In his third blog, Amey's Rob Edmondson explores the current and future challenges of local authority environmental services contracts.
Prioritising trade deals is pushing government into a much less green Brexit June marked the first anniversary of Michael Gove as Environment Secretary. (There’s a sentence I never thought I’d write).
Preparing for the resource revolution It is only three months ago that a few colleagues and I met with our CEO, David Palmer-Jones, to discuss the complexity of our sector and the possible headaches facing Defra as they grappled with developing their new Resources & Waste Strategy.
Sector and state lack joined-up thinking in the Energy from Waste market The Waste Hierarchy has been with us for about 20 years, but has it delivered what we needed or expected?
Using telematic data can reduce collisions and keep staff safe Despite our improved, modern safety standards, there are still collisions between work vehicles and site personnel.
Circular economy trends are boosting M&A in the waste management sector The EU recently set out its Circular Economy EU action plan which aims to energise Europe’s transition towards a low waste economy, boost competitiveness, foster sustainable economic growth and generate new jobs.
Energy from Waste technology is at the heart of a shift to a circular economy I was fortunate enough to attend the launch of the Environmental Services Association (ESA) report on the role of energy recovery in a circular economy last week (6 June) at the House of Commons, which was both well attended and well received.
Clean energy is losing out to the 'Blue Planet' effect If you can avoid being distracted by the daily headlines on plastic straws, coffee cups and deposit schemes, there are some deeper developments materialising that could have quite significant implications for this industry as it looks to modernise and operate effectively within a new, low-carbon ...
How we can move away from a throwaway society In his second blog, Rob Edmondson picks up on the theme of single use plastics and what it will take to move away from the throwaway society.
We need positive PR to raise the UK's recycling rates With the UK forecast to miss the government target of recycling 50% of household waste by 2020, a stronger connection between the public and the recycling and waste management Industry has never been more important.
Food waste falls down the political pecking order While plastic has stolen the media spotlight, it seems as though everyone on both sides of the Channel has forgotten about food waste, which is the subject of aims and promises rather than concrete action.
CIWM'S New Member Network lays the foundations for the sector of tomorrow I always look forward to May.
What's in store for the environmental services sector? Over the next few months guest blogger Rob Edmondson will be exploring a number of industry issues and trends. In his first blog, Rob sets out some of the key issues of the moment and the themes he will be covering.
Food waste reporting makes business sense Open disclosure of food waste by major food businesses has obvious sustainability benefits, but taking action can also improve other efficiencies.
Can householders be persuaded to accept pay as you throw? Earlier this month LARAC re-ignited the debate about pay as you throw (PAYT) when it called for research into how a ‘discretionary direct charging system’ could be implemented in the UK.
Why is the waste sector pulling its PR punches? I guess all generations reflect similarly, but as I grow older it strikes me that I joined a sector, and a movement, at the same time as some incredibly wise people. And now we’re all knocking on a bit.
There are no easy answers to the fight against plastic With Defra's announcement of a deposit return scheme (DRS) in England and the existing packaging recovery note system subject to a National Audit Office review, there seems to be no end to the raging plastics waste debate.
We've missed the point about coffee cup recycling The point about the coffee cups debate is that everyone is missing the point.
We are finally asking the right questions about deposit return schemes Last week was perhaps a pivotal point in the evolution of UK waste management policy and practice, and that had nothing to do with our stagnating recycling rate or our hopes and fears post Brexit.
Are we still clutching at straws when it comes to beating plastic pollution? I have just come back from two weeks in Cyprus where I have been trying to ‘down ...
Overcoming local authority contracting challenges doesn't have to be a headache In his third blog, Amey's Rob Edmondson explores the current and future challenges ...