Environmental News

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• Do you need to change your Environment Manager?
• Is Waste Management a New Olympic Event?
• Will Your Next Car be Green Enough?
• Ship Dismantlers Payout £22,000 for Asbestos
• High Street Chain of Chemists Fined for Killing Fish

Do you need to change your Environment Manager?

According to a survey by ENDS, the environmental trade journal, the increasing prominence of key environmental concerns over such issues as climate change is changing the role of Environmental Managers.

The survey, which is the latest of a series undertaken since 1993, covers a broad spectrum of sectors from oil and chemicals to public and government offices, as well as a range of sizes from large corporations to SMEs.

This latest survey indicates that over the last three years in particular, more and more jobs are available in the areas of Environmental Management and Corporate Social Responsibility. This trend is confirmed by the increased number of organisations that are building up their Environment Management Teams and generally spending more on environmental protection.

So where is all this additional money and effort being directed? Well, everyone is aware of carbon footprinting, which receives wide coverage in the media. Businesses, however, need to be addressing many other environmental issues, including the perennial one of Waste Management.

Is Waste Management a New Olympic Event?

Waste Management has become a significant issue for the London Olympics committee.

The goal set for the Games is to achieve "zero waste to landfill". However, a review by the Commission for a Sustainable London has concluded that, so far, little has been done to achieve this.

To reach their goal, the Games will need to employ a range of strategies. For example, they plan to construct an anaerobic digestion plant to dispose of waste and provide renewable energy and there are plans for a number of other "waste to energy" plants. However the survey found that to date "nothing was happening".

Following the survey, the London Development Agency has become involved and has taken over responsibility for the legacy issues. They are examining the role of the Games in managing waste as a separate issue, perhaps in conjunction with other waste disposal authorities and maybe involve local businesses and charities.

Will Your Next Car be Green Enough?

At the start of 2007, the European Commission proposed more stringent emissions targets for new cars to be achieved by 2012. In technical terms, the target was set at emissions of 130g/km from improvements to vehicle technology, with a further 10g/km saved by other measures such as alternative fuels.

However, the European Parliament has now revised the targets. The figure for emissions has actually been tightened from 130g/km to 125g/km. However, the target date has been pushed out from 2012 to 2015.

The combination of tighter emissions but longer time scale is being seen by Environmental campaigners as an overall weakening of the original target. In fact, they are accusing MEPs of losing their nerve in the face of pressure from car manufacturers.

The European Automobile Manufacturers' Association, however, are still claiming that the targets are too stringent.

Ship Dismantlers Payout £22,000 for Asbestos

A company based in Hartlepool had to pay over £26,000 in fines and costs for Asbestos Waste offences under the Pollution Prevention and Control Regulations 2000.

The problem arose when Environment Agency officers discovered the company depositing asbestos waste at its landfill site. A large area was left exposed, representing a serious health threat from potential release of asbestos fibres.

Asbestos was being tipped without any measures for controlling the release of fibres, such as dampening. Whilst the officers were on site, they also witnessed asbestos waste being dumped and then compacted by driving a bulldozer over it, resulting in further contamination.

The problems were brought to the attention of the company, when they were first discovered. However, a subsequent visit in the following year found there had been no change; leading to the company being prosecuted.

High Street Chain of Chemists Fined for Killing Fish

A cracked pipe led to the pollution of three and a half Kilometres of Tottle Brook in Nottingham. First indications were that a ditch, close to the site was covered in foam.

The pollution poured from the ditch into Tottle Brook, turning it milky green and smelling of shampoo. More importantly, it led to reduced levels of dissolved oxygen, which killed hundreds of fish over a few days.

The company pleaded guilty to offences under the Water Resources Act 1991 and, as a result, were ordered to pay nearly £13,000 in fines and costs.