June 2009

Environmental Minister Admits ACT’s Plastic Bag Tax May Be Unconstitutional
In a radio interview last week, Simon Corbell, Environmental Minister for the Australia Capital Territory (ACT), admitted that a proposed fee in his territory on single-use plastic bags may be unconstitutional.

EU Prepares To Regulate “Active and Intelligent Substances” In Food Packaging
On Friday, the European Commission adopted a law (published in the Official Journal of the European Union ) that will regulate a range of substances that increasingly are being used in packaging that comes in contact with food.

Scottish Recycling Rate On Course To Meet 2010 Target
According to data released last Friday by the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency, the nation’s recycling rate increased to 33.5 percent last year, better than the 30 percent target.

Singapore Launches Waste Management R&D Program With Global Ambition
With $15 in seed funding, Singapore’s National Environment Agency (NEA) announced a new research and development program focused on material recovery, energy recovery and special waste treatment.

Movement on EU RoHS and WEEE Directives Revisions Expected this Fall
On July 1, Sweden takes over the revolving presidency of the European Parliament and government officials have said recently that completing work on updates to the RoHS and WEEE Directives will be a top priority.

EEB Issues Paper On Sustainable Consumption And Production
In May, the European Environmental Bureau (EEB), published a “blueprint” or broad discussion paper recommending that the European Commission’s Plan on Sustainable Consumption and Production transition to a new phase.

National Battery Recycling Program To Fill Void In Australia
On Thursday, SITA Environmental Solutions launched what may be the first large-scale national battery recycling program in Australia.

Israel To Develop First Policy On Packaging And Packaging Waste
Last Monday, Israel’s Ministry of Environmental Protection published a tender (request for proposal) to prepare a study on packaging and packaging waste.

UNEP Calls For Global Ban On Single Use Plastic Bags
To help control of the growing volume of marine litter around the world, last week the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) Executive Director recommended, among other actions, a world-wide ban on single use plastic bags.

Taiwan Restricts Use of Phthalates, BPA, And Some Other Chemicals
The Taiwan Environmental Protection Agency announced late last month that it is restricting the use of several phthalates, bisphenol A (BPA), 1,4-dioxane, mercury, and asbestos in certain applications.

UK Environmental Minister Previews Future Of Waste Reduction And Packaging
During a speech last week, Department of Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs (Defra) Minister Hilary Benn outlined some upcoming new strategies on reducing waste, including packaging waste, in the UK.

E-Waste Or Used Product? Norway Offers Some Answers.
Last Thursday, the Norwegian Pollution Control Authority (SFT) released a guide to exporters to help differentiate between “used goods” and waste. The guide is a useful reference to anyone in the involved in exporting, particularly used electronics.

South Australia’s Plastic Bag Ban Proceeding Smoothly
Six weeks after the state of South Australia banned single-use plastic shopping bags, the use of alternative bags seems to be proceeding without major problems.

Irish EPA To Restrict Biodegradable Waste Through Landfill Licensing
Ireland’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced on Thursday that it will start reviewing the country’s landfill licenses to restrict the quantity of biodegradable household and commercial waste that can be accepted by landfill operators.

European Commission Proposes Broad New Regulations On Biocides
Last week, the European Commission proposed tougher, broader restrictions on the use of biocides and products containing them.

European Commission Threatens Italy With Fines Over Landfills
Last week, the European Commission issued a “final warning” to Italy before attempting to impose fines on the country for non-compliance with the EU Landfill Directive (99/31/EC).

Canada Officially Bans Bisphenol-A In Baby Bottles
In a widely expected action on Tuesday, the Canadian government gazetted an order adding bisphenol-A (BPA) to Schedule I of the Hazardous Products Act. The substance will be banned from use in polycarbonate baby bottles.

European Commission Schedules Scientific Hearing On Nanotechnology Risks
The European Commission’s Directorate General (DG) for Health and Consumers announced last week it will be conducting a “scientific hearing” on risk assessment of nanotechnologies.

Industry Survey Shows Energy-From-Waste Will Lead UK Landfill Diversion Efforts
A survey released last week by the United Kingdom's Chartered Institution of Wastes Management found energy-from-waste (EfW) will be responsible for 37 percent of the nation’s landfill diversion.

Editorial Archives