Business Environment News - June 2007

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.

1: NEWS

New plans to deal with waste
Environment Agency announces plans to reduce red tape by making it easier to recycle common types of waste.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1768048/1768064/1768539/

WEEE Day is 1 July
Environment Agency is pleased that the major producers, rebranders and importers of household electrical and electronic goods have signed up with compliance schemes. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1768048/1768064/1768543/

Changes to landfill rules
Landfill operators can get an Environment Agency factsheet to explain forthcoming changes under the Landfill Directive. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1768048/1768064/1768550/

Emissions Trading Scheme hits 100 per cent compliance in UK

Outstanding result reflecting the effort made by operators, verifiers and regulators in meeting the mandatory deadlines and the prompt enforcement action taken by us against those who were non-compliant in 2005.
http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1768048/1768064/1768556/

Water pollution destroying the environment

Why we all need to understand and tackle the causes of diffuse water pollution. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1768048/1768064/1768575/

Thousands flock to the Mend of the World

Find out how successful World Environment Day has been and how you can still take part. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1768048/1768064/1768582/

2: FEATURE

Green business - the financial angle

The environment is an increasingly important financial issue for companies. Chris Knight, Environmental Finance Manager at the Environment Agency, reports on the business benefits and obligations of going green. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1768048/1768064/1768585/

3: DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

What's coming up in June and July

http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1768048/1768064/1768591/

4: IN THE COURTS

Black cloud release costs Scott Bader UK Ltd £35,000.

Plus: two companies fined £18,000 for polluting a local brook with diesel and Hills Minerals fined £15,000 for asbestos offence. http://www.environment-agency.gov.uk/business/1768048/1768064/1768614/

5: DID YOU KNOW......

* Electric cars were introduced in 1896 and by the end of the century almost 50 per cent of motorcars worldwide were electric.
* By 1905 about 80 per cent of cars were petrol driven and by 1920 the electric car was almost history.
* By the 1970s concerns about the soaring price of oil and a growing environmental movement result in renewed interests in electric cars from both consumers and producers.
* In 1997 Toyota unveils the Prius in Japan - the world's first commercially mass-produced and marketed hybrid car. Nearly 18,000 were sold during the first production year.
* There are not many electric cars currently available in the UK, but a number of manufacturers have concepts in development and new models may be appearing soon.
Is history repeating itself?

25 June 2007