EEA ‘There is a shared vision to achieve clean, non toxic seas but their contamination with synthetic substances as well as heavy metals continues to be a large-scale problem in Europe. According to a new European Environment Agency (EEA) report, between 75 and 96 % of the assessed area of Europe’s regional seas have a […]
Common Space The Scottish Government has announced a deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks and containers as part of plans to tackle climate change. Announcing the new scheme, which will include the ability to return aluminium and steel cans as well as drinks containers made of glass and Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic to retailers with a […]
Organisations from all parts of the water sector are joining forces to create a new, ambitious vision for the future. The move, coordinated by regulators, government, industry and the Consumer Council for Water, will see the sector develop a new long-term vision to guide it towards having the most positive impact possible on society and […]
Plymouth University: Biodegradable plastic bags are still capable of carrying full loads of shopping after being exposed in the natural environment for three years, a new study shows. Researchers from the University of Plymouth examined the degradation of five plastic bag materials widely available from high street retailers in the UK. They were then left […]
The publicity and profile of this consultation is being raised as it nears its closing date. Have your say. Defra ‘Your responses to this consultation will help us to consider the merits of introducing a DRS. The aim of the UK and Welsh Government and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs in Northern […]
From containment news, originally printed in Famers Guardian Jill Crawford, who works for the UK Environmental Law Association, sounded the alarm at a Westminster Energy, Environment and Transport Forum (WEETF) event in London last month. The EA has seen its environmental protection budget slashed by 55 per cent since 2010/11, from £113m to £50m in 2016/17. “It is vital our […]
Yorkshire Water has offered a charity donation to resolve an investigation into a sewage pollution event. The Environment Agency has secured £200,000 donation through an Enforcement Undertaking following a pollution incident near Doncaster. Yorkshire Water Services Ltd have paid £200,000 to the Yorkshire Wildlife Trust as part of an Enforcement Undertaking (EU). The EU was […]
From the Guardian Pesticides and antibiotics are polluting streams across Europe, a study has found. Scientists say the contamination is dangerous for wildlife and may increase the development of drug-resistant microbes. More than 100 pesticides and 21 drugs were detected in the 29 waterways analysed in 10 European nations, including the UK. A quarter of the […]