Environmental News

Revised Exempted Fireplaces and Authorised Fuels for Smoke Control Areas in Scotland

Who does this affect: Scotland - Operators of fireplaces within smoke control areas
When does this take effect: 27 September 2010

The list of classes of fireplaces exempted from the provisions of the Clean Air Act 1993 which prohibit emissions of smoke in smoke control areas in has been amended for Scotland under the Smoke Control Areas (Exempt Fireplaces) (Scotland) Order 2010 with several additional fireplaces being exempted.

In addition, one new type of fuel has been added to the list of fuels declared to be authorised fuels for use in smoke control areas by the Smoke Control Areas (Authorised Fuels) (Scotland) Regulations 2010.

The full text of the Exempt Fireplaces Order may be found here.

The full text of the Authorised Fuels Regulations may be found here.

Source: http://www.opsi.gov.uk/

Environmental News

Consultation on revised Environmental Permitting Regulations

Who does this affect: England and Wales - Operators of activities which require environmental permits

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has issued a consultation on proposed changes to the Environmental Permitting Regulations. The proposals relate to changes in certain administrative procedures and technical details relating to environmental permits and exempt waste operations. They also include proposals that the Environment Agency is given certain new civil sanctions powers in relation to offences under the current Environmental Permitting system. The proposed changes would be made by the Environmental Permitting (England and Wales) (Amendment) Regulations 2011, which is planned to come into force on 06 April 2011.

The consultation will end on 24 September 2010.

Further information can be found here.

Source: http://www.defra.gov.uk/

Environmental News

Consultation on transposing the revised Waste Framework Directive

Who does this affect: England and Wales - Producers and collectors of waste

A consultation has been issued by Defra on the draft regulations that will bring the revised Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) into law in England and Wales. The revised Directive aims to promote the prevention of waste, recycling, and the better use of resources, whilst protecting human health and the environment.

The key new features of the revised Directive include placing requirements on Member States to:

• apply the “waste hierarchy” as a priority order in waste prevention and management legislation and policy;
• set up “separate collections” of waste for at least paper, metal, plastic, and glass by 2015 where technically, environmentally and economically practicable. This applies to both household and business waste;
• recycle 50% of waste from households by 2020;
• recover 70% of construction and demolition waste by 2020.

Proposed ways of meeting these requirements include:

• placing a duty on holders of new and / or revised waste permits to take measures to minimise waste and treat any waste generated in line with the waste hierarchy;
• inserting a declaration into Waste Transfer Notes confirming that the holder has taken the waste hierarchy into account;
• an enforcement regime to ensure that “separate collections” (which includes both sorted collection and co-mingled collection with subsequent separation at material recycling facilities) are provided for by private waste companies.

The consultation will end on 16 September 2010.

Further information can be found here.

Source: http://www.defra.gov.uk/

Environmental News

Consultation on new marine licensing system

Who does this affect: England - Marine industries and other sea users

The Marine and Coastal Access Act 2009 sets out a framework for a new marine licensing system for regulating marine activities in order to provide protection for the environment, human health and users of the sea.

Defra has issued a consultation concerning proposals for the secondary legislation which will implement this new system, covering key aspects including the application process, appeals against licensing decisions, and exemptions. It is planned that the new Marine Licensing System will be launched in spring 2011.

Activities carried out at sea that will likely come under the new system include: depositing substances or objects; constructing, altering and improving works; removing objects and substances from the sea bed; dredging; depositing and using explosives; and incineration.

The consultation will end on 13 October 2010.

Further information can be found here.

Source: http://www.defra.gov.uk/

Environmental News

Consultation on food waste collection Regulations in Ireland

Who does this affect: Republic of Ireland - Household waste collectors

The Department of the Environment, Heritage and Local Government in Ireland is inviting views on draft Regulations which would require authorised waste collectors to provide or arrange for the provision of a household food waste collection on a phased basis from 1 July 2011.

The consultation will end on 1 October 2010.

Further information can be found here.

Source: http://www.environ.ie/

Environmental News

Consultation on the Proposal to Amend the Landfill Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003

Who does this affect: Northern Ireland - Operators of landfill sites

The Department of the Environment in Northern Ireland is seeking views on a proposed amendment to the Landfill Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003. Currently landfill sites which close or have closed since 18 December 2003 must comply with the Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC). The proposed amendment will extend the period that this requirement covers to include landfill sites which have closed since 16 July 2001.

The consultation will end on 15 September 2010.

Further information can be found here.

Source: http://www.doeni.gov.uk/