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      <title>GARWER WasteXchange News</title>
      <link>http://www.wastexchange.co.uk/RSS/news.phpsc</link>
      <description>GARWER WasteXchange: News about waste management and recycling</description>
      <language>EN-en</language>
      <copyright>GARWER s.r.l. 2008</copyright>
	  <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:00:00 GMT</pubDate>
      <lastBuildDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:30:20 +0100</lastBuildDate>
      <managingEditor>GARWER s.r.l. &lt;info@garwer.com&gt;</managingEditor>
      <webMaster>GARWER s.r.l. &lt;info@garwer.com&gt;</webMaster>
      	  <item>
		 <title><![CDATA[Dutch arrests over &quot;illegal&quot; UK waste exports]]></title>
         <link>http://www.wastexchange.co.uk/detailNews.phpsc?doc=/GARWER/DOCS/news/FDF-BE3-B4C</link>
         <description><![CDATA[A major investigation is underway in Holland into alleged illegal shipments of &#039;waste&#039; material from the UK and Ireland to Asia.
The Dutch authorities have confirmed to letsrecycle.com that two managers of a Dutch company were arrested earlier this month for interrogation. They were released after two days but remain as suspects.
As a consequence of the publicity surrounding the case, the recovered paper industry federation for Holland, the FNOI, has spoken of its preference for the separate collection of recyclables in the UK.
The Dutch case is of potential significance to the UK because of the large volumes of recyclable materials that are sent to export markets via ports in Holland such as Rotterdam. Legal actions in the UK in the past over exports of materials, usually recovered paper, and whether they are contaminated have on occasions involved Dutch connections.
The National Prosecutors Office for the Netherlands said today: “The National Prosecutors Office presumes that the company violated environmental rules for the export of waste. Regulation (EC) No 1013/2006 of the EP and the Council of June 14 2006 on shipments of waste, to be exact.”
And it confirmed that the investigation concerns “household waste from the UK as well as Ireland”.
The Dutch authorities have not said which part of the UK the “waste” has come from. The regulatory authority in Scotland, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency said it had “no knowledge” of the case at present. A spokeswoman for the Environment Agency, which covers England and Wales, said: “We are aware of the case and we will be cooperating with Dutch authorities as the investigation develops.&quot;
The arrests in Breda have caused controversy in Holland. The Dutch media have identified the company at which the arrests were made. And while the Dutch authorities have not officially named the group as being involved, the company itself has issued a strongly worded statement denying any wrongdoing.
The Dutch recovered paper trade association, FNOI, issued a statement in the wake of the arrests. A spokesman for the FNOI told letsrecycle.com that it did not support commingled collection of materials as happens in the UK.
For UK authorities and protagonists in the debate over whether materials should be collected commingled or separately, the Dutch case is likely to add to the debate. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is to start work in January on clarifying its interpretation of revised Waste Framework Directive requirements for the separate collection of materials.]]></description>
         		 		 <pubDate>Tue, 03 Jan 2012 18:30:20 +0100</pubDate>      		  </item>
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		 <title><![CDATA[Rare Earths to be Recycled from Magnets in France]]></title>
         <link>http://www.wastexchange.co.uk/detailNews.phpsc?doc=/GARWER/DOCS/news/C8C-332-516</link>
         <description><![CDATA[French chemicals group Rhodia has launched a project to recycle the Rare Earths Elements contained in high performance magnets largely used in windmills, electric vehicles and hard disks.
Rhodia says that it develops a large number of innovations used in everyday applications such as flat screens, low-energy light bulbs, exhaust emissions control, high precision optics and other uses.
According to the company, the project follows earlier initiatives to recycle REEs from low-energy light bulbs and nickel metal hydride (NiMH) rechargeable batteries, and is a further step in the Group&#039;s strategy to secure and diversify its rare earth sourcing.
Rhodia says that it will recover the rare earth concentrate from its partners specialising in recycling magnets.
This high-grade concentrate will be refined and formulated into rare earth materials at the company&#039;s plant in La Rochelle, France. The four REEs contained in magnets, neodymium, the praseodymium, the dysprosium and the terbium, will be reformulated.
Early this year the company announced its scheme to recycle REEs from used low-energy light bulbs. The two dedicated facilities in La Rochelle and Saint-Fons, France are currently under construction and will be operational in the first quarter of 2012.
Furthermore, the company says that it has also partnered with Umicore to recycle REEs from NiMH rechargeable batteries found in portable applications, hybrid electric vehicles, and other applications. This project is expected to be operational by the end of this year.
&quot;Recycling opens up new perspectives for access to rare earths while preserving the natural resource&quot;, explains Frédéric Carencotte, industrial director of Rhodia Rare Earth Systems and responsible for the recycling projects.
rare earth recycling china europe strategyStrategic materials
The European Union is currently considering whether to stockpile raw materials that are deemed to be strategic, such as rare earths.
The debate follows the decision by China - which controls up to 97% of the global REE market - to slash export quotas, which has sent prices soaring and turned rare earths, vital to many renewable energy and hi-tech industries, into a political issue.
According to a recent report by Reuters, Rhodia does not see stockpiling of rare earths by Europe as a pertinent response to Chinese export curbs, and favours efforts to diversify supply through mining and recycling projects.
&quot;Creating strategic stocks of rare earths seems a little strange to me,&quot; explains Jean-Pierre Clamadieu, previously chief executive of Rhodia and now deputy CEO of Solvay following the Belgian group&#039;s takeover of the French company.
&quot;The West overreacted in making the question of rare earths a cause for a standoff between China and Europe,&quot; he adds.
Rhodia says it is also stepping up plans to recycle rare earths, with Clamadieu saying this could accounts for &quot;several tens of percent&quot; of the group&#039;s rare earth supply in the future.]]></description>
         		 		 <pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:03:07 +0100</pubDate>      		  </item>
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		 <title><![CDATA[Waste Gases to be Recycled into Aviation Fuel]]></title>
         <link>http://www.wastexchange.co.uk/detailNews.phpsc?doc=/GARWER/DOCS/news/5D0-9C5-298</link>
         <description><![CDATA[According to Virgin, the low carbon aviation fuel has just half the carbon footprint of the standard fossil fuel alternative.
The partnership will see waste gases from industrial steel production being captured, fermented and chemically converted using Stockholm based Swedish Biofuels&#039; technology for use as a jet fuel.
The production process recycles waste gases that would otherwise be burnt into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide.
According to LanzaTech, Swedish Biofuels has developed technology for the production of alternative aviation fuels and has demonstrated this technology under a project funded by the U.S. Government Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA).
During this project Swedish Biofuels has used its technology in the production of fully synthetic 100% biological aviation fuel from a wide variety of non-food biological feedstocks including lignocellulosic biomass.
Virgin Atlantic says that it plans to schedule flights using the new fuel within three years on its routes from Shanghai and Delhi to London Heathrow, as LanzaTech and partners develop facilities in China and India.
The technology is currently being piloted in New Zealand, a larger demonstration facility will be commissioned in Shanghai this year, and the first commercial operation will be in place in China by 2014.
Following successful implementation, Virgin says that a wider roll-out could include operations in the UK and the rest of the world.
LanzaTech estimates that its process could be applied to 65% of the world&#039;s steel mills, allowing the fuel to be rolled out for worldwide commercial use. The energy company also claims that this process can apply to metals processing and chemical industries, growing its potential considerably further.
Virgin Atlantic says that it will be the first airline to use this fuel and will work with LanzaTech, Boeing and Swedish Biofuels towards achieving the technical approval required for using new fuel types in commercial aircraft. A demonstration flight with the new fuel is planned in 12-18 months.
Jennifer Holmgren, Chief Executive of LanzaTech, comments: &quot;This technology will enable airlines to dramatically reduce their carbon footprint by reusing gases that would otherwise have been emitted directly into the atmosphere.
LanzaTech says that this technology overcomes the complex land use issues associated with some earlier generation biofuels - and detailed analysis suggests the fuel will produce around a 50% saving in lifecycle carbon emissions.
The Roundtable for Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) - the international body to ensure the sustainability of biofuels production - will advise the team to ensure the fuel produced meets key environmental, social and economic criteria.
Virgin Atlantic says that this development should take it well beyond its pledge of a 30% carbon reduction per passenger km by 2020.
&quot;Sustainable aviation biofuel based upon conversion of alcohol to jet fuel is the next type of biofuel which will be under consideration for approval for use in commercial aviation,&quot; says Bill Glover, Boeing vice president of environmental strategy and aviation policy.
Dr Ausilio Bauen, Head of Bioenergy at Imperial College London, adds: &quot;The recycling of waste gases that would otherwise be emitted to the atmosphere to produce transport fuels, in a process such as the Lanzatech one, provides an excellent opportunity to reduce emissions associated with the use of petroleum fuels in transport.&quot;]]></description>
         		 		 <pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2011 18:00:43 +0100</pubDate>      		  </item>
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		 <title><![CDATA[Commitment to 70% Recycling Rate by EU Paper Industry]]></title>
         <link>http://www.wastexchange.co.uk/detailNews.phpsc?doc=/GARWER/DOCS/news/7F6-070-166</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The European Declaration on Paper Recycling 2011-2015 has been launched by launched by Ulrich Höke, European Recovered Paper Council (ERPC) chairman, and Soledad Blanco, Director at the European Commission, DG Environment.
Unveiled at the recent European Paper Recycling Awards in the European Parliament, the declaration sets out measures to optimise the management of paper throughout the value chain.
The ERPC was set up after the launch of the first &#039;European Declaration on Paper Recovery&#039; as an industry own-initiative in November 2000 to monitor the progress made towards meeting the targets set out in the Declaration.
Industries covered by the Declaration include paper and board manufacturers, converters and printers, as well as those involved in the collection, sorting, transportation and recycling of waste paper and board products back into the paper loop.
All 12 signatories and supporters of this Declaration say that they are willing to ensure that correct systems are in place to encourage paper recycling, and are building on the positive progress made by the first European Declaration on Paper Recovery 2000 to 2005 and previous Declaration 2006 to 2010.
According to the ERPC, these sectors will continue on a sustainable path in paper recycling, making it possible to reach the new target of a 70% recycling rate by 2015.

Signatories and supporters of the Declaration voluntarily accept to undertake a number of actions that will contribute to this target wherever technically possible and economically reasonable.

Priority is to be given to the prevention of waste including its environmental impact during the manufacture of paper and board products, through collection and recycling of paper. Furthermore, the ERPC says that close attention is also being given to improving the recyclability and - where applicable - the deinkability of paper-based products.

Janez Potocnik, European Commissioner for the Environment, explains: &quot;the Declaration is fully in line with the European objective to build a &#039;circular economy&#039; aiming at using waste as resource.&quot;

ERPC chairman, Ulrich Höke adds: &quot;The industry commits to continuously improve. We suggest, instead of simply &#039;Shrinking consumption&#039; making paper consumption more sustainable, preserving the valuable contribution of the value chain to green growth and job creation in Europe.&quot;]]></description>
         		 		 <pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:57:39 +0100</pubDate>      		  </item>
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		 <title><![CDATA[Packaging recycling resilient despite market fears]]></title>
         <link>http://www.wastexchange.co.uk/detailNews.phpsc?doc=/GARWER/DOCS/news/1EE-4BC-713</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Packaging recycling and recovery rates appear to have remained resilient over the summer despite a recent slowdown in the export market and ongoing fears of a double-dip recession.
The Environment Agency has published data for the third quarter of 2011 on its National Packaging Waste Database showing that 1.809 million tonnes of packaging waste was sent for recycling or energy recovery between July and September. Although slightly down when compared to the 1.937 million tonnes achieved for the same period in 2010, this is up from 1.793 million tonnes recorded in the second quarter of 2011 and is broadly consistent with performance over the last couple of years.
Strong performance can be particularly noted in the case of aluminium, where an unprecedented 20,249 tonnes was reprocessed or exported during the period. This means that only 2,636 tonnes of material needs to be recycled in the final quarter of 2011 for the 62,689 tonne business target to be met (see table below).
Similarly in the case of paper, a significant 827,124 tonnes of material was sent for recycling. This means that only 6,167 tonnes of paper packaging will need to be reprocessed before the end of this year for its material-specific target to be reached. This is likely to put further downward pressure on the prices of paper and aluminium PRNs – which are currently already selling at just £2.50 and £1 respectively. This comes despite signs that prices for recovered paper and cardboard have been softening in recent weeks due to a drop in demand from Europe and China (see letsrecycle.com story).
Despite these positive trends, however, the figures also show a considerable decline in the amount of wood sent for recycling – which has largely been attributed to the ongoing closure of the Sonae chipboard factory in Knowsley, which is one of the UK’s largest end users of recycled woodchip (see letsrecycle.com story). In all, 27.5% less wood waste was sent for recycling in quarter three 2011 compared to quarter four. But, as the material-specific target for wood has already been met and the general obligation can also be covered by paper, this is not thought likely to cause any major problems in the PRN system.
Packaging recycling and recovery carried out in the first three quarters of of 2011
The only material where the market could be at all tight appears to be plastics – where 124,824 tonnes of material still needs to be sent for recycling this year. However, this is still significantly below the quarterly average achieved so far in 2011 for this material.
Looking ahead to 2012, Mr Goodall said that things might get interesting because of economic uncertainty and the fact that the packaging recycling targets for business are to remain the same, putting further downward pressure on PRN prices.
He said: &quot;It will be very interesting to see what will happen next year. Material prices are down and export demand has clearly reduced. We will also see [ SAICA’s new paper mill at ] Partington ramping up from Q1 which may have an impact on the Paper PRNs. We are also going to see some more reprocessors dropping out because the numbers don’t add up for them at these PRN levels.&quot;
Chris Taylor, from recycling and compliance specialist Clarity Environmental, added: &quot;We project that the market will be in surplus by 5-6% at the end of the year and with targets staying the same for next year we could easily see soft pricing continue through 2012. This could lead to increased lack of interest from some reprocessors but the market is looking stable as we are still seeing new reprocessors registering to supply PRNs&quot;.]]></description>
         		 		 <pubDate>Mon, 24 Oct 2011 17:41:31 +0100</pubDate>      		  </item>
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		 <title><![CDATA[PET Container Recycling Rate up to 29% for 2010]]></title>
         <link>http://www.wastexchange.co.uk/detailNews.phpsc?doc=/GARWER/DOCS/news/42C-5D9-1E9</link>
         <description><![CDATA[SONOMA, Calif. The National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR), The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR), and the PET Resin Association (PETRA) announced today the release of the “2010 Report on Post Consumer PET Container Recycling Activity” and a 2010 Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) container recycling rate of 29%. This is the seventh straight year that the United States’ recycling rate has increased. Total PET collected for recycling was also highest to date, as was the use of recycled PET in end-use applications, at over 1.5 and 1 billion pounds, respectively.
“NAPCOR is pleased to report these consistent increases in the PET recycling rate, year over year, and is committed to building on this trend,” said Tom Busard, NAPCOR Chairman and Vice President, Global Procurement and Material Systems, Plastipak Packaging, Inc. “PET recycling and use of recycled PET in new products and packaging are integral components of what PET offers as a sustainable package; it’s important to NAPCOR to foster and facilitate this essential component of the PET package premise.”
The 2010 Report also details the end uses for a record 1,002 million pounds of recycled PET utilized in manufacturing applications, reflecting increases over 2009 in Sheet &amp; Film, Food &amp; Beverage Bottles, Strapping, and Fiber end-use categories.
“Recycling plastic such as PET and re-processing it for next-life use is not only critical to the viability of our industry, but it’s simply good practice, both environmentally and economically,” said Scott Saunders, APR Chairman and General Manager of KW Plastics Recycling. “Recycling and remanufacturing of recycled material captures and re-purposes the value inherent in the material, provides local jobs, and local tax revenues.”
This is the sixth year that NAPCOR, the APR, and PETRA have partnered to produce this Report and the sixteenth year that NAPCOR has issued the Report in its current format.
“The PET Recycling Rate Report provides an important industry benchmark as well as a valuable snapshot of recycling trends,” said John Cullen, Chairman of PETRA’s Sustainability Committee and Commercial Manager of DAK Americas LLC.
Founded in 1987, the National Association for PET Container Resources (NAPCOR) is the trade association for the PET plastic packaging industry in the United States and Canada. NAPCOR is dedicated to the promotion of the PET package; to overcoming hurdles to the successful recycling of PET; and to the communication of the attributes of the PET container as a sustainable package.
The Association of Postconsumer Plastic Recyclers (APR) is the national trade association representing companies who acquire, reprocess, and sell the output of more than 90 percent of the post-consumer plastic processing capacity in North America. Founded in 1992, its membership includes independent recycling companies of all sizes, processing numerous resins. APR strongly advocates the recycling of all post-consumer plastic packaging.
PETRA is the trade association representing North America’s producers of PET resin. It is dedicated to promoting the benefits and value of PET and PET resin products, educating the public about the safety and uses of PET, and providing accurate technical and scientific information about PET.]]></description>
         		 		 <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:55:56 +0100</pubDate>      		  </item>
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		 <title><![CDATA[World`s first` biomass exchange to open in Rotterdam]]></title>
         <link>http://www.wastexchange.co.uk/detailNews.phpsc?doc=/GARWER/DOCS/news/4A1-ADC-641</link>
         <description><![CDATA[What has been hailed as the world&#039;s first biomass exchange looks set to be launched in Rotterdam from next month, in response to soaring demand for wood chips from the biomass energy industry.
The exchange has been developed jointly by energy exchange APX-ENDEX and the Port of Rotterdam, Europe&#039;s biggest port, after a deal struck between the two companies in 2010Online systems in North America already serve a global market for wood pellets estimated to stand at around 10 million tonnes a year. Countries are increasingly turning to biomass to decarbonise their energy sectors, and experts predict that demand could grow sixfold by 2020.
&quot;In the port area itself, we foresee a market of two to three million tonnes in 2025,&quot; said Hans Smits, chief executive of the Port of Rotterdam Authority, in a statement. &quot;Outside Rotterdam, demand will be many times larger. APX-ENDEX increases the chance that these flows will run via Rotterdam Energy Port.&quot;
Trading will commence on 3 November with non-cleared products, before a second phase scheduled for 2012 will see the development of clearing services for wood pellets contracts.
Contracts offered for trading run for three, nine or 36 months, the Anglo-Dutch company said in a statement.
The new exchange is likely to further fuel the debate over the sustainability of biomass imports.
The RSPB estimates that there are 31 biomass plants in operation in the UK, with 14 more approved, 16 in the planning stage and a further nine proposed, and the group is concerned that rising demand for wood chips could lead to increased deforestation and habitat loss.
European countries are likely to look abroad to meet future biomass needs, potentially pushing up the price of wood and encouraging deforestation in poorer countries, critics say.
However, supporters of biomass power, including the UK Forestry Commission, have repeatedly argued that wood from sustainable forests, where new trees are planted when others are cut down, releases far less carbon than traditional fossil fuels.]]></description>
         		 		 <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:50:59 +0100</pubDate>      		  </item>
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		 <title><![CDATA[New film on waste management in Greenland]]></title>
         <link>http://www.wastexchange.co.uk/detailNews.phpsc?doc=/GARWER/DOCS/news/185-D71-A26</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Dealing with large quantities of unwanted (and sometimes toxic) waste is often difficult – but it becomes even more complicated when people live in isolated communities, in extreme environments hundreds of kilometres from the nearest treatment plant. This is the subject of a new film considering waste management in Greenland, entitled ‘Mission Greenland – for a cleaner future’.
The short film was produced by the European Environment Agency (EEA). It focuses on the management of household waste - including hazardous materials - demonstrating how even small efforts by local people can make a big difference in waste management and protecting the environment.
Only 25 % of household waste in Greenland is delivered to recycling stations, so the EEA hopes its new film will inspire residents, in particular youth and children in Greenland and across the Arctic region to change their behaviour. The film will also be supplemented with some educational material for schoolchildren.
The 12 minute film was introduced by EEA Executive Director Prof. Jacqueline McGlade, and Hon. Anthon Frederiksen, Minister of Domestic Affairs, Nature and Environment in Greenland. 
Waste management challenges
Sound waste management in remote areas like the Arctic is always going to be costly. Large-scale modern waste management systems cannot just be copied wholesale from elsewhere in Europe or North America. Greenland, with its harsh natural environment and dispersed population requires unique solutions tailored to the country’s context.
Because the huge distances and costs involved, much of the waste in Greenland has been (and in many cases continues to be) tipped into landfills just outside city or settlement limits. And without waste separation, household waste is often mixed with more hazardous waste types like batteries, leftover paint, nail polish or other chemicals.
These hazardous materials can affect the health of the local population when they enter the air through incineration or seep out of landfills which often lack protective layers to avoid leakage. Chemicals can seep down towards the coastal waters where Arctic people catch the fish, shrimp and sea mammals which make up a large part of their diet.
However, there are also some positive stories. For example, 99 % of all plastic and glass bottles used on the west coast of Greenland are returned to recycling plants, making country an inspiring example to the rest of the world.
The film considers this complex situation, proposing solutions which allow Greenlanders to manage waste without damaging their natural environment. Greenland is famous for its awe-inspiring natural landscapes, but this environment is extremely fragile, making the case for better waste management even more urgent.
The film is available in English, Danish and Greenlandic language versions.]]></description>
         		 		 <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:39:21 +0100</pubDate>      		  </item>
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		 <title><![CDATA[EU greenhouse gas emissions estimated to increase in 2010]]></title>
         <link>http://www.wastexchange.co.uk/detailNews.phpsc?doc=/GARWER/DOCS/news/194-E1B-160</link>
         <description><![CDATA[The European Union remains well on track to achieve its Kyoto Protocol target for reducing greenhouse gas emissions despite a 2.4 % emissions increase in 2010, according to first estimates by the European Environment Agency (EEA). The 2010 increase follows a 7 % drop in 2009, largely due to the economic recession and growth of renewable energy generation.
Many different policies have played an active role in bringing down greenhouse gas emissions. Alongside renewable energy or energy efficiency, efforts to reduce water pollution from agriculture also led to emission reductions. This experience shows we can reduce emissions further if we consider the climate impacts of various policies more systematically.
EU greenhouse gas emissions estimated to increase in 2010, but long-term decrease expected to continue
The latest analysis of greenhouse gas trends in the EU was published by the EEA today in  three reports which together analyse emissions levels since 1990 and look forward to the EU&#039;s greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2020 and beyond. They also cover progress towards Kyoto Protocol targets, early estimates for 2010 emissions levels and an analysis of drivers of emissions since 1990. Overall, EU emissions declined by 15.5 %.
EU-15 emissions were 10.7 % below base year levels, still well below its collective 8 % reduction target for the 2008–2012 period. However, of the 15 EU Member States with a common commitment under the Kyoto Protocol (the &#039;EU-15&#039;), Austria, Italy and Luxembourg were still lagging behind their Kyoto Protocol targets at the end of 2010.
Looking ahead to 2020, EU Member States will have to implement planned measures to achieve the Union’s unilateral 20 % reduction commitment, itself a precursor to the much deeper emission cuts needed in the long run to build a low-carbon economy.
&quot;Many different policies have played an active role in bringing down greenhouse gas emissions&quot;, Professor Jacqueline McGlade, EEA Executive Director, said. &quot;Alongside renewable energy or energy efficiency, efforts to reduce water pollution from agriculture also led to emission reductions. This experience shows we can reduce emissions further if we consider the climate impacts of various policies more systematically.&quot;]]></description>
         		 		 <pubDate>Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:32:58 +0100</pubDate>      		  </item>
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		 <title><![CDATA[Medical waste, bad for your health and bad for your rights, warns UN expert]]></title>
         <link>http://www.wastexchange.co.uk/detailNews.phpsc?doc=/GARWER/DOCS/news/2E8-0CD-BF2</link>
         <description><![CDATA[Medical waste is posing a growing problem worldwide, jeopardizing the health of staff, patients, disposal workers and anyone else coming into contact with the often hazardous materials discarded by hospitals and other health-care sites, a United Nations human rights expert said today.
Calin Georgescu, the UN Special Rapporteur on human rights and toxic waste, issued a report in which he warned that the world is not paying enough attention to the problems caused by medical waste.
&#039;Some 20 to 25 per cent of the total waste generated by health-care establishments is regarded as hazardous and may create a variety of health and environmental risks if not managed and disposed of in an appropriate manner,&#039; he said.
Medical waste can include a wide range of hazardous materials, such as infectious waste, anatomical and pathological waste, obsolete or expired chemical products and pharmaceuticals, radioactive materials and so-called &#039;sharps,&#039; medical instruments or devices that are no longer used.
The problem is rising particularly quickly in developing countries, where the amount of waste being generated is rising rapidly as health-care services in those States are expanded, and the technological and financial tools to ensure the waste is managed responsibly may not exist.
&#039;In health-care establishments where hazardous medical waste is incinerated, open burning and widespread deficiencies in the operation and management of small-scale medical waste incinerators result in incomplete waste destruction, inappropriate ash disposal and dioxins emissions, which can be even 40,000 times higher than emission limits set forth in international conventions,&#039; Mr. Georgescu said.
The Special Rapporteur noted that contaminated sharps attract the most attention, with needle-stick injuries exposing people to blood-borne pathogens such as the hepatitis B virus, the hepatitis C virus and the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
&#039;However, each type of hazardous medical waste presents hazards that jeopardize the enjoyment of human rights.&#039;
Mr. Georgescu has made a series of recommendations to reduce the threat posed by medical waste, including proposing the development of an international legal regime to manage and dispose such waste and replacing incineration as a disposal method with more environmentally-friendly methods.]]></description>
         		 		 <pubDate>Thu, 29 Sep 2011 18:07:45 +0100</pubDate>      		  </item>
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