Some local authorities now offer food waste collection bins – they turn this waste into compost and then often offer it back to the public. However, this isn’t available in all areas, and even if it is you still have … Continue reading →

Cities are squeezed. In 1950, the world played host to just 83 cities which each reported upwards of one million residents. In 2007, this had risen to over 460[1]. Speculation from the United Nations further suggests that today’s 3.2billion urbanised … Continue reading →

As a collective nation of Great Britain, we aspire towards an ambitious recycling target of 50% by 2020 however, as individual countries, we in England, Scotland and Wales also aspire to our tailored aspirations. Unfortunately each nation has either (i) … Continue reading →

The government’s waste policy review and fortnightly refuse collections There was concern after the campaigning by Eric Pickles to bring back weekly refuse collections that the government would spend around £100,000 to enable councils to do this [1]. Thankfully, the … Continue reading →

What is Autoclaving? The EU Landfill Directive demands that before waste can be sent to landfill it must be pre-treated. Firstly, this is to reduce the environmental impact of the waste that does get sent to landfill, and secondly, to … Continue reading →

What is Mechanical Biological Treatment (MBT)? The EU Landfill Directive stipulates that: before waste can be sent to landfill it must be pre-treated; and, that the amount of biodegradable waste (green waste, food waste, paper/card waste) sent to landfill is … Continue reading →

What is Waste? The EU Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) defines waste as any substance or object which the holder discards, intends to, or is required to discard. It is estimated that each year the UK produces around 100 million tonnes … Continue reading →

It is estimated that in the UK only 5% of all household batteries are recycled. This means that the majority of used household batteries are sent to landfill to be disposed of, which in turn can have a negative effect … Continue reading →