The sustainability balance for supermarkets The negative impacts of climate change are widespread, with David Attenborough calling it a ‘catastrophe’, Swedish schoolgirl climate activist Greta Thunberg labelling it an ‘existential crisis’ and calls for rapid action across all industries.
Has Defra been too ambitious? There’s a lot going on right now with regards to shaping future waste and resources policy. Last
Is England’s planning system able to cope with the demands of the new Resource and Waste Strategy? The last 20 years has seen the UK switch from being landfill dominated, to one which has a healthy mix of recycling and energy recovery. 1 comment
After the protests is an opportunity for action Extinction Rebellion’s climate change protests in London and elsewhere have focused attention on an issue that is everyone’s business, including, of course, the waste management industry.
Collaboration takes the fight to waste criminals As the independent Noel Report outlined in November 2018, the involvement of organised crime in the waste sector is an increasing problem and many stakeholders agree on the need for a more strategic and collaborative approach in tackling it.
The UK waste sector can play a pivotal role on the climate change debate The last few weeks have seen media attention return (hopefully not for a limited time only) from Brexit to global climate change.
Industrial explosions in China showcase the true cost of incorrect chemical storage The industrial explosion at a pesticide plant in eastern China in March was a harrowing message to the worldwide hazardous waste industry on the importance of correct chemical storage.
We must pay more than just lip service to see real environmental change The second annual Global Recycling Day, held on 18 March, invited us all to think about just how much we can be doing to effect positive environmental change.
A drop in the ocean for the fight against plastic Last month, the second annual Global Recycling Day was held.
Let's look after ourselves Wellness is a buzzword which often gets thrown about. From corporate tweets trying to develop a friendly face to teabags and massages, the phrase has now incorporated a new phase of ‘selfcare’ both in and out of the workplace.
Consultation time ticks on, are you ready and are you willing to share? Time really does fly in our sector right now, and I would rather be busy than idle.
The rules of commuting are changing for the better I started in the waste and resource sector in the 1990s and since then it has evolved significantly, driven by changes in regulatory and policy requirements, the introduction of new technology and swings in the global geo political landscape.
Surplus food must be a regulated resource In the government’s Resources and Waste Strategy, the unnecessary disposal of food is a priority target in the aim to preserve natural materials, by reusing those already in the food chain.
Brexit isn't all bad, for waste policy at least News that Brexit will deliver “putrefying stockpiles” of rubbish (rather than piles of extra cash for the NHS) will have had the Daily Mail readers of Tunbridge Wells choking on their Tunnock’s wafers and tea in typical “outrage”.
The day job must still be delivered despite Brexit and policy change Even though my role requires me to lead on consultation responses, government liaison and external relations on behalf of SUEZ in the UK, I do over the course of the year spend quite a bit of time with clients.
Packaging needs a traffic-light system Though it may be a dangerous subject to start with, I want to focus on the only thing the nation appears to agree on concerning Brexit.
Defra promised they will listen so it's time to be heard The start to 2019 has been just as hectic as I suggested in my last blog, even though the Defra consultations have been delayed by a few weeks.
Defra's Brexit tweaks require some scrutiny As Brexit continues to dominate parliamentary matters, it’s worth noting the continual stream of EU exit regulations rolling out of Defra at the moment.
Lessons in toxic waste must be learnt from Brazilian mudslide On 1 February 2019, a dam storing Iron ore mining tailings collapsed in southeast Brazil.
Gove is providing some sort of stability- for now Our Government saw no fewer than nine ministerial resignations over Brexit in 2018.
Low risk, high fire safety construction products should be a priority Dame Judith Hackitt published a review of building regulations and fire safety ‘Building a safer future’ on the 17 May 2018, in the wake of the Grenfill fire disaster.
Government and industry must work together to make recycling a social norm Recycling helps to lower pollution, conserve resources, save energy, reduce deforestation and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The long-awaited Resources and Waste Strategy shows level of distraction Finally the Resources & Waste Strategy is here, but it’s a bit of an anti-climax thanks largely to the government focussing most of its attention on Brexit.
Is England’s planning system able to cope with the demands of the new Resource and Waste Strategy? The last 20 years has seen the UK switch from being landfill dominated, to one which ...
Has Defra been too ambitious? There’s a lot going on right now with regards to shaping future waste and resources ...