News and Legislation

Earth Exchange at Ecobuild 2011
11/02/2011

This year Earth Exchange will be at ‘Ecobuild 2011’ being held between Tuesday 1st and Thursday 3rd March 2011 at the ExCel in London.

http://www.ecobuild.co.uk/

Ecobuild is the world’s biggest event for sustainable design, construction and the built environment and the UK’s largest construction event of any kind.

Come and join us on Stand S2342 in the South Hall to see how Earth Exchange can help your business exchange soils and aggregates, cut haulage and reduce waste and money.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Construction Recycling Alliance
11/02/2011

A new construction recycling membership organisation has been launched to promote reuse and recycling within the UK construction industry

The Construction Recycling Alliance (CRA) aims to support and promote companies across the construction sector, as well as demolition and waste management that are dedicated "to reducing, reusing and recycling unwanted materials".

The CRA supports members through sharing innovative recycling techniques and representing members' interests at a regulatory level. It will also showcase best practice through a membership magazine, The Construction Recycling Journal.

"By joining together under the CRA framework, companies will be able to effectively communicate with regulatory bodies and also improve their environmental credentials," said CRA director David Barnes.

The CRA was established primarily to promote reuse and recycling within the construction industry. It also aims to provide a universal recycling pledge available to companies who share this aim.

Key Objectives of the CRA are:

Promote the ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ ethos within the construction industry.
Offer an industry wide recycling pledge for those enterprises committed to reducing, reusing and recycling.
Encourage effective recycling and reuse strategies and practices amongst members.
Showcase innovation and disseminate news and information for the benefit of CRA members.
Represent members’ interests at regulatory level and, where possible, influence new regulations and directives.

Earth Exchange is pleased to announce that we are an Accredited Member of the Construction Recycling Alliance.

For more details click on the link below

http://recyclingalliance.co.uk

Waste Reduction Video Tutorials
11/02/2011

WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) has prepared a comprehensive series of construction waste reduction Video Tutorials.

To help you get the most from the tools each video demonstration is split into short modules and includes expert guidance and tips. The tutorials cover:

You will find the tutorials useful if you are a new user of WRAP’s tools, need a quick refresh on their functionality and/or would like to provide your colleagues with training.

New design guide and tool will help Civil Engineers address the issue of waste
28/06/2010

WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) has launched Designing out Waste: a design team guide for civil engineering available to download free from www.wrap.org.uk/designingoutwaste and companion tool www.wrap.org.uk/dowtce

The aim of the guide is to provide practical techniques and technical solutions to enable designers to reduce waste and maximise resource efficiency at the design stage of any project involving civil engineering. By so doing they can access significant environmental, carbon and cost savings.

The comprehensive guide has been produced following in-depth consultation with industry and is endorsed by the Institution of Civil Engineers.

Designing out Waste: a design team guide for civil engineering presents a structured approach, setting out key principles that can be used to design out waste. It illustrates how these can be applied on all new construction, maintenance, and refurbishment projects; focusing on existing best-practice and sharing knowledge in simple, easy to follow guidance.

The guide is presented in two parts:

Part 1 - Design Guide introduces the key principles of Designing out Waste. It shows how these can be integrated throughout the different design stages from feasibility to detailed design, and through into specification and procurement. It includes a guide to running design review workshops to help design teams identify and prioritise opportunities to design out waste in their own projects. The five key principles are:

Design for Reuse and Recovery;
Design for Off Site Construction;
Design for Materials Optimisation;
Design for Waste Efficient Procurement; and
Design for Deconstruction and Flexibility

Part 2 - Technical Solutions gives comprehensive technical information on an extensive range of design solutions and engineering techniques which can be used to improve materials resource efficiency.

The launch of the design guide coincides with the development of a companion tool specifically for civil engineers.

The Designing out Waste Tool for Civil Engineering is a freely accessible resource available at www.wrap.org.uk/dowtce. It has been developed to help civil engineers in the following areas:

Identifying opportunities to design out waste in their own civil engineering projects;
Recording design solutions taken to reduce material consumption and wastage;
Calculating the impact of these solutions including savings in project costs, waste to landfill and embodied carbon;
Comparing the performance of alternative design scenarios; and
Providing a waste forecast for Site Waste Management Plans (SWMPs).

The Tool identifies good practice and forecasts the following: waste arising, waste to landfill, value of material wasted, the cost of waste disposal, embodied CO2 levels and recycled content. Used in conjunction with the Designing out Waste guide, the Tool allows civil engineering practices to improve resource efficiency. This offers a low effort method to include potential savings in the tender specification from an early design stage. Outputs from the Tool can easily be incorporated into the WRAP Site Waste Management Plan Template www.wrap.org.uk/swmp.

Defining Waste Recovery – Deposition of Waste on Land
08/04/2010
www.environment-agency.gov.uk

The Environment Agency has just published (29th March 2010) their Regulatory Guidance Note EPR 13 which sets out their definition of ‘waste recovery’ in respect to the permanent deposit of waste on land (see link).

The document – part of a series of Environmental Permitting Regulatory Guidance Notes – describes the differences between ‘waste recovery’ and ‘waste disposal’ and presents a series of questions and a checklist to help in deciding into which category a particular activity falls where deposition to land is the requirement.

The document has been issued to clarify the Environment Agency’s position on what constitutes a waste recovery operation and to support the implementation of the new ‘standard rules’ for the use of waste in construction as a result of the recent waste exemption review.

In essence, ‘waste recovery’ is about using waste to replace non-waste materials, subject to a beneficial outcome and it will present no unacceptable environmental risk. ‘Waste disposal’ is about discarding materials and if this is the primary reason, then it cannot be classed as waste recovery, even if there is a secondary benefit.

The document presents some useful examples in Appendix 1 where the Environment Agency considers a particular activity ‘could’ be a recovery operation. Some examples are:

Bunds – such as noise attenuation, visual screening etc.
Landscaping and recreational facilities (e.g. golf course).
Making land safe (e.g. mineshaft stabilisation).
Tracks and hardstandings for dedicated purposes.
Fill for drainage channels and soakaways.
Engineering preparation for roads and buildings.
Restoration of former mineral workings in some cases.
Creation of a lake or wet nature reserve.
Land levelling/contouring and improving land quality.

The key things to consider are:

Is the work needed (does it have planning permission)?
Will there be a beneficial outcome?
Are the recovered wastes suitable for their intended purpose and do not present an environmental risk?
Is the minimum amount of waste being used for the purpose?
Is the waste being used as a substitute for a non-waste material?
Will the proposed works be completed to an appropriate standard?

If the answer to all of the above is ‘YES’, then you could be in luck! Your next step is to prepare a Waste Recovery Plan and apply for the appropriate Environmental Permit.

DEFRA Launches Hazardous Waste Strategy
23/03/2010
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/topics/hazwaste/documents/policy.pdf

The Government has launched a new strategy for hazardous waste management in England in a bid to clarify how it plans to divert such waste from landfill and boost levels of reuse and recycling (see link).

The strategy has been produced with respect to the application of the ‘revised European Waste Framework Directive’, and the requirements that apply to hazardous waste in relation to the waste hierarchy, the treatment of hazardous waste, and the provision of infrastructure.

In relation to infrastructure, the strategy states that market investment in the provision of infrastructure for the treatment of hazardous waste requires some certainty that the facilities will be used. It states that this will come from the application of the waste hierarchy, but also through the permitting process, enforcement activity of the Environment Agency and, for new infrastructure, the planning system.

The document explains that the planning system will be pivotal to the adequate timely provision of facilities for hazardous waste recovery and disposal close to where that waste arises.

Earth Exchange® Wins Builder and Engineer Award
16/10/2009

Earth Exchange® has been awarded yet another prestigious award in recognition of the way Earth Exchange® is helping the UK construction industry to divert materials from landfill, encourage materials reuse and procure materials more sustainably.

The ‘Builder and Engineer Awards’ are now in their sixth year and are designed to recognise the country’s finest building projects, construction professionals, consultants, architects, as well as the best of the UK construction industry’s services.

Earth Exchange® was announced as the winner of the Waste Management and Recycling Award at the Builder and Engineer Awards ceremony held in Manchester on the 7th October.

The organisers of the awards, Excel Publishing, said “Recycling reduces waste sent to landfill and improving the quantity and quality of recovered material and the increased use of recycled materials is good for the environment. However, the construction industry is responsible for almost 120 million tonnes of construction, demolition and excavation waste each year, that’s around one third of all waste in the UK and we wanted the company with exceptional waste reduction and recycling credentials to step forward for this award.”

Needless to say, all here at Earth Exchange are thrilled with winning this national award.

DEFRA Published Findings of Consultation on Revised Waste Exemptions from Environmental Permitting
21/09/2009
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/waste-exemption-review/index.htm

Defra, the Welsh Assembly Government and the Environment Agency are undertaking a review of the waste exemptions from environmental permitting. The aim of the review is to provide a more risk based and proportionate approach to the regulation of waste recovery and disposal operations, complementing the new environmental permitting regime.

The consultation included a number of proposed measures aimed at increasing the use of exemptions for as wide a range as possible of low risk activities, whilst removing or restricting the availability of the exemptions for higher risk waste operations by seeking to regulate higher risk operations through one or more standard permits.

The summary of responses to the consultation, including the Government’s response (published 11/9/09), can be found at the Defra link above.

The consultation closed on 23 October 2008. The original proposal was to implement revised regulations by October 2009. However, the high level of stakeholder engagement during and since the consultation has led to an increased number of policy issues requiring resolution. Defra, Welsh Assembly Government and the Environment Agency have therefore decided to put back the implementation of new regulations until the next available opportunity in April 2010.

With regard to construction, the original proposal for the “U1 Use of Waste in Construction Work” was for a 500 tonne threshold above which a permit would have to be applied for. There was fierce opposition to this threshold limit and the government is proposing to increase this limit (to an as yet undisclosed tonnage) in order to encourage materials reuse on construction projects.

The revised regulations will also address other areas highlighted as confusing with regard to construction works. For example, the 50,000 tonne limit on roadstone for “U9 Direct and Beneficial Use of Waste for a Specified Purpose” will be moved to the U1 class.

DEFRA starts Consultation On the Transposition of the revised Waste Framework Directive
22/07/2009
www.defra.gov.uk/

EU Member States have until 12th December 2010 to implement the laws and regulatory provisions to comply with the revised Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC).

DEFRA is inviting your views on the transposition of the key provisions of the revised WFD and has launched stage one of a two part consultation exercise. Views are requested on important issues such as ‘Re-use and Recycling’ including recovery targets for non-hazardous construction and demolition waste (Article 11(2)(b)) and what constitutes ‘end of waste’ (Article 6).

The consultation document and consultation letter can be found on the DEFRA website (follow the link).

Responses should be received by the 9th October 2009

Be2CampBrum “Unconference”, Birmingham 12th August 2009
15/07/2009
be2camp.ning.com

Be2camp is the place for people interested in how the latest web applications and web design techniques can help build a better, more sustainable built environment - from planning and design through construction and waste management to occupation and management of buildings, infrastructure, landscape, etc

Inspired by previous Be2camp events in London and Liverpool, “Be2camp Brum” will be an 'unconference' about social media and the built environment, and will be held at the Fazeley Studios, Birmingham, on 12 August 2009 from 12.00 - 8.00pm. As the name suggests, the ‘unconference’ is informal and there is a chance to meet up with construction professionals over drinks afterwards.

Click the link to go to the Be2Camp Brum web page to register (free)

Be2camp = (Built + Environment + Web2.0 + Camp)

SEPA launches Consultation On What Soil is Waste On Site
15/07/2009
www.sepa.org.uk

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency is seeking views on draft guidelines which aim to streamline decisions on when material on land remediation sites is legally waste and when it isn't.

The consultation document aims to streamline part of the development process enabling Local Authority and SEPA regulators to work together to achieve the same outcomes. This is delivered by aligning the requirements of the relevant waste regulatory mechanisms for on-site re-use to those of developmental control and Part IIA in order to provide greater focus on the risk based remediation plans. This will provide clarity and consistency and the document will also provide a sound basis for regulators to work more closely together to ensure compliance with agreed remediation plans

Response or queries to this consultation should be submitted no later than Friday 7th August 2009. Click the link to go to the SEPA webpage to download the consultation document.

Earth Exchange® Wins Prestigious ‘Green Hero’ Award
01/07/2009

Earth Exchange® has been awarded a prestigious award in recognition of the innovative way Earth Exchange® is making a big difference to sustainable construction and is helping to reduce construction wastes sent to landfill and significantly reduce costs for its Members.

Now in their seventh year the Northwest Business Environment Awards are the annual showcase of the best examples of environmental practices in industry and the public sector and are designed to unmask our green heroes that are putting the environment at the heart of their company’s success. The awards attract entries not just from the region, but national organisations operating projects in the northwest.

Earth Exchange® was announced as the winner of the Northwest Business Environment Award for Environmental Innovation at the awards ceremony held on the 25th June. The judges chose Earth Exchange® due to the innovative way it has utilised the latest web technology to overcome some of the greatest inherent problems in construction – finding out who is doing what, where and when – and then enables surplus materials at one construction site to be ‘exchanged’ between another site which has a shortfall of those materials.

Walter Menzies, Chief Executive of the Mersey Basin Campaign (hosts of the awards), said: “Despite the economic challenges that business has faced over the past twelve months, I am proud to see that businesses continue to commit to environmental best practice, and put environmental issues at the forefront of their agenda. The judges had an extremely difficult task in choosing the winners in this year’s competition as the bar is raised year on year.”

"Be2camp@WorkingBuildings2009" event 7th-8th October 2009
23/06/2009
http://be2camp.ning.com/page/be2campworkingbuildings2009-1

Be2camp is a place for people interested in how the latest web applications and web design techniques (Web 2.0; eg: RSS, blogs, Twitter, Wikis, Google Maps) could help build a better, more sustainable built environment - from planning and design through construction to occupation and management of buildings, infrastructure, landscape, waste management etc.

The next major Be2Camp event will be in London over 2 days at London's Olympia exhibition halls running parallel with the Working Buildings 2009 show.

Be2Camp is free to attend and for more information follow the B2Camp link to go to their website. You can even suggest a topic!

http://be2camp.ning.com/page/be2campworkingbuildings2009-1

Or keep in touch and follow @Be2Camp on Twitter

Sustainable Building Products Exhibition and Conference 2nd July 2009
23/06/2009

The Construction Knowledge Exchange in association with the Centre for Waste Management is presenting the Sustainable Building Products Exhibition and Conference at the Darwin Building, University Central Lancashire on the 2nd July 2009.

The event is FREE to attend and will feature speakers and an exhibition on the latest sustainable building materials and waste minimisation services and techniques.

Earth Exchange will be there, so come along and meet the team and have a demonstration.

To attend the event and to receive more details contact the Centre for Waste Management on 01772 893963

Earth Exchange Given ‘Commitment to Excellence’ Award
22/05/2009

Earth Exchange has been given the ‘Commitment to Excellence Award’ by Best Practice UK. The award was given in recognition of Earth Exchange’s eye-catching and innovative solution to reducing construction wastes and making sustainable procurement a reality.

CL:AIRE Launches ‘Cluster Guide’ Consultation
22/05/2009
www.claire.co.uk

CL:AIRE (Contaminated Land: Applications in Real Environments) has put forward for public consultation the latest draft version of their ‘Cluster Guide’ relating to groups of soil and aggregate donor/receiver sites and treatment ‘hub’ sites. The document sets out various indicative roles and responsibilities for those within a functioning ‘cluster’.

CL:AIRE are interested in hearing your views and comments and the draft ‘Cluster Guide’ is found on their website (link below).

The consultation process will close on the 24^th of June 2009.

Earth Exchange® nominated for two more awards!
29/04/2009

The North West Business Environment Awards celebrate the region's carbon-crusaders; waste-recyclers; energy-savers; eco-buildings; green-purchasers; green-technologists and eco-innovators. It's the region's only gathering of green business heroes.

Earth Exchange® has been nominated in 2 categories – Environmental Innovation and Sustainable Procurement in recognition of its innovation of Web 2.0 technology for environmental ends as well as helping to divert wastes from landfill.

The awards ceremony (on the 25th June 2009) is supported by the Mersey Basin Campaign and the Northwest Regional Development Agency and the awards themselves are supported by ENWORKS, RIBA, Envirolink Northwest, Groundwork Northwest, Environment Agency, Environment Connect, Envirowise, Buy Recycled, CBI Northwest, the Institute of Directors, MIDAS, the NW Sustainable Procurement Forum and the Institute of Civil Engineers.

Earth Exchange® will be at the “Be2camp North” 15th May 2009
29/04/2009

Last year, Be2camp 2008, the UK's (and possibly the world's) first “unconference” focused on Web 2.0 and the built environment, and “Be2camp North” is happening in Liverpool on 15 May 2009. The venue is FACT (the Foundation for Art and Creative Technology), 88 Wood St, Liverpool, L1 4DQ

To register for Be2camp North (free!) click on the link below to go to the Be2camp website:

http://www.be2camp.com/

Or keep in touch and Follow @Be2camp on Twitter.

Budget 2009
29/04/2009

The recent 2009 Budget contained some significant elements with regard to wastes and resources.

The Chancellor announced the continuation of the current Landfill Tax escalator for active wastes and will continue rise by £8/tonne each year until 2013 (up to £62/tonne by 2012-13).
The lower rate of Landfill Tax for inactive waste will be frozen at £2.50/tonne for 2010-11.
The Aggregates Levy will be frozen at £2.00/tonne for 2010-11 in view of the downturn in the construction sector
Additional funding of £10 million for anaerobic digestion and waste infrastructure to encourage sustainable waste management and rediuce CO2 emissions

South East England Development Agency Launches Pathway to Zero Waste
13/03/2009
www.seeda.co.uk/pathwaytozerowaste

The South East England Development Agency (SEEDA) has just launched its Pathway to Zero Waste initiative. The 5 year initiative is a major transformation programme and will radically change how the private and public sectors work together to improve resource efficiency and waste management in the South East.

The Pathway to Zero Waste has been launched amidst the background of rapidly declining available landfill void space in the region and key partners are the Environment Agency and WRAP.

Construction Demolition and Excavation wastes are the key wastes which the Pathway to Zero Waste programme is targeting, along with wood and food waste streams.

To find out more click the link below to go to the Pathway to Zero Waste website.

“Construction Waste Summit”, London, 17th March 2009
21/01/2009
www.emapconferences.co.uk/wastesummit/

Construction News, New Civil Engineer and Materials Recycling Week have again joined forces to bring the 2nd annual Construction Waste Summit, offering an interactive forum to discuss, debate and discover the latest approaches to maintaining profits by maximising resource efficiency and minimising construction waste.

With landfill tax on the rise, the cost implications for those in the construction sector who don’t reduce, recycle and re-use more waste are significant.

To register for the event, click here to go the Emap Conferences website.

Landfilling of Gypsum - Environment Agency Announce 10% Plasterboard Allowance to be Removed
21/01/2009
www.environment-agency.gov.uk

The landfilling of gypsum and other high sulphate bearing wastes with biodegradable waste has been prohibited in England and Wales since July 2005.

Since then the Environment Agency taken a pragmatic view that separate disposal is not necessary where construction waste contains small amounts (up to 10%) sulphate. However, following scientific research, the Environment Agency is revising their guidance and effectively removing the 10% guideline value.

From 1/4/2009, the 10% guideline value for waste containing gypsum will be scrapped. This will mean that C&D waste must be separated from gypsum-based materials to enable its reuse/recycling or before being properly disposed to landfill.

For more information, click here to go to the Environment Agency website.

“Dealing with Waste in Brownfield Regeneration” Conference and Exhibition, Warrington, 10th February 2009
07/01/2009
http://www.envirolinknorthwest.co.uk/

Envirolink Northwest together with the newly formed Northwest Brownfield Regeneration Forum (NWBRF) will be running a one-day event focusing on waste in brownfield regeneration.

The event will be chaired by Jane Garrett, Chief Executive - CL:aire and will comprise of both seminars and an exhibition.

The seminars will cover many aspects of waste in the regeneration and development sector, including legislation, stakeholder responsibility, liabilities, opportunities etc,

For further information and to register for the event click here to go to the Envirolink Northwest website.

SE England “2008 Invest in Recycling” Grant Competition Open for Applications
07/10/2008
www.envirobusiness.co.uk

The competition is for capital grants for businesses to purchase equipment to create financial value from waste streams and divert material from landfill. These grants can cover up to 50% of the costs for new equipment up to a maximum grant value of £134,000, helping you establish or grow your business and increase the recycling capacity of the region.

The primary focus for support will be equipment addressing:

Construction and Demolition waste
Waste Wood
Innovative Reprocessing and Recycling Solutions

These grants are financed by the South East England Development Agency, and eligible equipment must be operated in the South East England. Application are required to be received by 31st October 2008

For more details on the capital grant application contact Envirobusiness by clicking on the link above.

New Standard for Welsh Construction Waste Launched
07/10/2008
www.constructingexcellencewales.org.uk

Constructing Excellence in Wales (CEW) has just launched the ‘Green Compass’ standard to ensure construction and demolition waste is recycled and reused as much as possible. The new standard is being part funded by the Welsh Assembly.

CEW has commissioned the British Standards Institution to develop the 'Green Compass' Standard as a Publically Available Standard (PAS 402) and the logo will create a 'brand' which will demonstrate a company's commitment to responsible construction waste management.

The scheme is currently being developed though a pilot programme together with wider consultation with stakeholders which will run until July 2009.

Environment Agency publishes ‘Position Statement’ on Definition of Waste in Land Development
22/09/2008
www.environment-agency.gov.uk

The Environment Agency has published a ‘Position Statement’ along with some frequency asked questions in the context for the CL:AIRE “Definition of Waste: Development Industry Code of Practice” (CoP) document.

The Position Statement (follow link above) confirms that the Agency’s previous guidance document “The Definition of Waste: Developing Greenfield and Brownfield Sites” that was published in April 2006 has been withdrawn and the Agency will take account of the CoP in the context of waste regulatory decisions in England and Wales.

The Environment Agency still consider materials that go off site for use at another site to be waste and the re-use of these materials will still be subject to Environmental Permit Exemption controls. The Environment Agency is, however, looking into this issue and this will form the next stage of the clarification of these issues with respect to the construction sector.

Definition of Waste: Development Industry Code of Practice
22/09/2008
www.claire.co.uk

CL:AIRE (Contaminated Land: Applications in Real Environments) has just published a voluntary industry “Definition of Waste: Development Industry Code of Practice” (launched 11th September 2008)

The document has been published following consultation with industry and the Environment Agency, who have themselves brought out a Position Statement on the definition of waste with respect to development activity (see separate news item below).

The new voluntary Code of Practice (CoP) can be found at the above link and applies to England and Wales only. The CoP provides a process to determine if excavated materials on a development site are waste and identifies the point when treated wastes no longer need to be considered waste.

It is the responsibility of the holder of the material to determine whether that material is waste or not, but the CoP allows the user to come to a view and demonstrate how the decision was reached – thus requiring a high degree of self-regulation. The cornerstone of the CoP is the requirement for a Materials Management Plan (MMP) to be prepared.

At this current time the CoP is not applicable to the direct use of materials from one site to another development site. However, the Environment Agency is working towards a system in the context of direct re-use of materials between development sites and the CoP may be amended in the light of the Agency’s recommendations for the direct re-use case.

Invest in Recycling Event – Guildford, 1st October 2008
08/09/2008
www.envirobusiness.co.uk/invest-in-recycling-event.html

As part of EnviroBusiness’ support of the environmental technology and services sector in the South East region of the UK, it is holding a seminar, in coordination with WRAP, for companies in the waste management and recycling markets.

As well as aspects of the recycling market, presentations will cover funding opportunities, such as the Invest in Recycling apital grant scheme that is open for applications from mid September 2008. There will also be presentations from commercial organisations, highlighting practical problems faced in their quest to develop ‘zero waste’ programmes.

The seminar programme is supported by South East England Development Agency, WRAP, NISP, Remade South East and Train2Gain and features presentations by all partners. Other presentations are being confirmed and the full programme will be made available shortly on the Envirobusiness website and directly via email to any party registering for the event.

There is no charge for attending the event, but registration is required via Envirobusiness’ website. The registration form can accessed from the link above.

Earth Exchange will have a stand at the event’s exhibition, providing delegates with the opportunity to meet with us and have a demonstration of the value of Earth Exchange in reducing your disposal costs by enabling the reuse of construction materials.

House of Lords Science Committee Publishes ‘Waste Reduction’ Report
21/08/2008
www.parliament.uk/hlscience/

The House of Lords Science Committee has called on the Government to extend its efforts on waste reduction from solely making demands on domestic consumers, and to concentrate on high waste producing companies and industrial sectors.

The Committee recommend that the Government should take steps centrally to ensure as much as possible is done to encourage businesses of all sizes to reduce waste. They assert that reducing waste levels will save business money and make British business more competitive.

The Report states: “Businesses which implement new and innovative solutions to reduce waste tend to experience significant cost savings and awareness of such strategies is beginning to increase. However, many businesses still fail to recognise the financial costs of their waste.”

The Committee also recommend that Government should restructure Local Authority targets currently focused on domestic wastes sent to landfill, centrally encourage business to reduce waste and additionally calls for the Government to look at the VAT regime and consider lower variable VAT rates for products which use sustainable materials and less virgin raw materials.

Although the UK Construction Industry is not especially singled out in the Report, the sector is the biggest waste producer, accounting for 33% of the UK’s waste. It needs to do much to reduce waste volumes if it is to meet the Government’s ‘Strategy for Sustainable Construction’ which requires a 50% cut in construction waste going to landfill by 2012. Earth Exchange™ is designed to enable construction companies achieve this target at the same time saving the industry and individual companies a considerable amount of costs.

The Science Committee’s report, ‘Waste Reduction’, will be available on line shortly after publication at the above web address.

Government Launches Consultation on Revised Exemptions From Environmental Permitting
12/08/2008
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/waste-exemption-review/index.htm

DEFRA has published their consultation document on revised waste exemptions from Environmental Permitting.

The aim of the review is to simplify the waste exemption process by providing risk-based regulation to endorse the legitimate use of recycling and recovery operations which are perceived to pose little threat to human health or the environment.

The main proposal within the consultation is to support the use of lowest risk waste exempt activities while restricting, or removing, those exemptions which previously required greater regulatory control/assessment. This removal of the two-tier system (including those benefitting from an Environment Agency ‘low risk position’) should create a simple and more harmonious scheme which complements the new Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) Regulations 2007.

Comments on the consultation questions should be forwarded to DEFRA no later than 23 October 2008.

Government Launches Consultation on Sustainable Soil Use on Construction Sites
08/08/2008
www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/sustainable-soil-construction

DEFRA has published their awaited Draft Code of Practice for the Sustainable Use of Soils on Construction Sites and accompanying Impact Assessment.

The overall objective of the Code of Practice is to encourage the sustainable use of soils at all stages of a construction project. Issues covered include the early identification of soil types and quantity, planning on the handling and use of soils and improved soil management during the construction process (stripping, stockpiling and placement).

The Code of Practice is primarily aimed at improving the knowledge and understanding of our finite soil resources at all levels of the construction project, avoiding unnecessary soil compaction and erosion and to encourage the efficient re-use of surplus soils.

A key target for the Government is to increase diversion of non-municipal waste (including soil) from landfill and the re-use of soil is an important factor in the Waste Strategy for England published last year. Earth Exchange™ enables all projects at pre-construction stage to assess which nearby sites could potentially reuse your anticipated surplus soils from your project.

The draft Code of Practice is released for consultation and responses should be received by the 20th October 2008.

Site Waste Management Plans Regulations 2008 come fully into effect on the 1st July 2008.
14/07/2008
Earth Exchange

The Regulations make it a requirement for all construction projects in England over a value of £300,000 to have a SWMP, with additional 'Duty of Care' requirements for projects over £500,000. Each SWMP must record any decision made in order to minimise the quantity of waste produced on site before the plan was drafted. The plan requires a description and amount of each waste type expected to be generated by the project, together with the waste management action for each waste type to identify how and where they will be reused, recycled, recovered or disposed. Each SWMP is also required to be updated as construction proceeds culminating in a report at completion of the project.

Construction sites in Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales, do not yet need to have a SWMP. However, SWMPs are being promoted as an example of best practice in the construction industry and could help to reduce the amount of construction waste you produce and to manage your waste more effectively.

Earth Exchange™ will enable all projects at pre-construction stage to assess which nearby sites could potentially reuse your anticipated surplus materials from your project and enable these material types and quantities to be updated as your project progresses. Earth Exchange is therefore the ideal tool to help you develop and manage your SWMP with the associated cost savings and environmental benefits.

Budget 2008 : Landfill Tax – Exemptions for Waste From Clean Up Of Contaminated Land to Be Phased Out.
14/07/2008
Earth Exchange

Waste from cleaning up contaminated land disposed to landfill is currently exempt from landfill tax. Secondary legislation to be laid later this year will phase out this exemption.

In order to qualify for exemption, disposers must apply for and obtain a relief certificate from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) before disposing of their waste.

Applications for landfill tax exemption certificates will not be accepted by HMRC on or after 1 December 2008.

Anyone in possession of a valid exemption certificate will have until 31 March 2012 to dispose of their waste if they wish to benefit from the exemption. All certificates issued under the scheme will cease to be valid on or after 1 April 2012 and disposals to landfill of waste from cleaning up contaminated land made on or after that date will be liable to landfill tax at the appropriate rate.

Earth Exchange™ sponsors the Environmental Industries Commission Annual Reception at the House of Lords on the 8th July 2008.
14/07/2008
Earth Exchange

The EIC was launched in 1995 to provide environmental technology equipment and services suppliers with a strong and effective voice to influence the debate on the future of the industry among policymakers in Westminster, Whitehall and Brussels. It aims to promote constructive co-operation between the regulated, the regulators and the UK's environmental technology suppliers who serve them. Over 300 companies are members of the EIC and the number is growing rapidly.

The EIC's Annual Reception is a popular forum where the political establishment engages with the environmental sector - attracting over 150 very high level policymakers, regulators, opinion formers and business people. This year, Rt Hon John Gummer MP, Chair Conservative Party Quality of Life Policy Group and former Secretary of State was the VIP Guest who spoke on his though plans for future environmental policy and initiatives.

Earth Exchange™ is running two seminars to introduce and demonstrate the website to coincide with the launch of Earth Exchange™.
14/07/2008
Earth Exchange

The two seminars are to be the first of a number of seminars which are be run across the UK during the forthcoming months and are to take place on the following dates and venues:

15th July 2008 – De Vere Hotel Daresbury Park, Warrington
22nd July 2008 – De Vere Hotel, Oulton Park, near Leeds

Each seminar is free to attend and will feature a key industry speaker as well as a ‘hands on’ use of the website.

Places at the first two seminars are being filled quickly and places are limited so please call 0845 000 4321 if you would like to attend, or would like to express an interest in attending any other forthcoming demonstration seminars.