Business Environment News

February 2008

Business Environmental News rounds up the most important environmental stories and developments for you - no matter what your area of business or level of expertise.

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01: NEWS
Construction projects must plan for waste
New regulations in April mean that all large construction projects must have a written plan showing how building materials and any resultant waste will be managed during the project.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1949264/1949266/1949281/

Food and drink manufacturers make a pledge
Major food and drink companies have signed an agreement to improve their water efficiency and the hope is that the rest of the sector will follow their lead.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1949264/1949266/1949291/

Majority of SMEs still unaware of WEEE regulations
Ignoring the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment regulations means small and medium size businesses could be missing out on cost savings and harming their green credentials.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1949264/1949266/1949293/

How Europe will tackle climate change
The European Commission has released proposals for tackling climate change and delivering a low carbon economy in Europe.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1949264/1949266/1949295/

Is your waste someone's raw material?
NISP a programme that connects industry to make opportunity by developing mutually profitable links between companies so that under used resources such as energy, water and materials from one can be recovered, reprocessed and then reused by others.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1949264/1949266/1949297/

UK firms more transparent about their carbon footprint
New Carbon Disclosure Project suggests more UK companies are being transparent about the size of their carbon footprint.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1949264/1949266/1949299/

02: FEATURE
Is it just the plane to blame?
The rising trend for cutting carbon means aviation has become the latest modern evil, but is shipping freight any better? Esther Maughan Mclachlan, Director of Strong Language, takes a look at the latest research, and highlights the undisputed benefits of the UK's inland waterways.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1949264/1949266/1949309/

03: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY
What's coming up in February and March
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1949264/1949266/1949312/

04: IN THE COURTS
Western Wines Limited of Telford pays a record £230,000 for packaging offences. Plus: Hall & Campey Environmental Services fined £21,4455 for illegal oil depot in Plymouth and Christopher Hiles fined £14,000 for unlicensed skip business in Leeds.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1949264/1949266/1949315/

05: DID YOU KNOW......
Water is a precious resource that we often waste. The amount used to produce some common goods is amazing:

• 140 litres for a cup of coffee

• 507 litres for a weekend newspaper

• 11,000 litres for a pair of jeans

• 400,000 litres to build a car.

12 February 2008