Recycling December 1 2011 Weekly & WA S T E W O R L D Sign up for our digi tal edi t ion now. Register at digi taledi t ion@recycl ingwastewor ld.com In this issue:


Ireland on track to meet landfi ll target


Metal theft: Irritant or epidemic?


With metal theft at an all time high, how should industry bodies and external agencies confront the problem? RWW investigates.


• Page 4 To prevent the risk of serious or fatal injuries in the waste industry adequate systems of work are required


Safety reform gets mixed response


Geraldine Faulkner Editor


The case for biogas upgrading in the UK


Should the UK consider the option of biogas upgrading? Find out how two projects in the Netherlands and Germany are being used successfully.


• Page 7


INDUSTRY BODIES have given a mixed response to government recommendations that a large number of health and safety regulations be abolished. Earlier this year, Professor


Ragnar Löfstedt was asked by employment minister, Chris Grayling, to examine health and safety laws and to produce recommendations to ensure they are fit for purpose. Professor Löfstedt’s


Payment provisions in the Construction Act


Amendments to the Construction Act will reinforce companies' requirement to pay up. But could they delay much needed waste facilities?


• Page 8


report, entitled Reclaiming health and safety for all: An independent review of health and safety legislation, proposed that health and safety legislation should be reduced by a third rising to over a half over the next three years by simplifying, reducing and combining the existing 200 regulations. Ray Georgeson, chief


executive of the Resource Association, urged caution. He told RWW: “The


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Löfstedt Review made recommendations that will reduce regulatory burdens on business where they do not obviously lead to improvements in health and safety. This has been welcomed by some as a ‘bonfire’ of health and safety rules. However, we urge caution, as bonfires can get out of control. “While we broadly


welcome the streamlining and consolidating approach advocated by government, we restate our members' desire for comprehensive health and safety regulation as part of our commitment to a modern, sustainable industry.” The Forum of Private


Business’s senior policy adviser, Alex Jackman, took a different view: “We have waited a while for the results of the Löfstedt review, and now they are here, we’re not disappointed. “Civil action against


businesses is a huge issue for our members, and many over- compensate where health and safety is concerned.


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"Not only does this unduly


raise the cost of compliance - disproportionately so for the smallest businesses - it also raises the expectations of employees should personal injury unfortunately befall them. “We welcome moves


to redress the imbalance we currently have where employers can be successfully prosecuted despite having taken all reasonable steps to protect their employees. “Earlier this year Forum


research found small firms increasingly spending extra time and money on complying with employment legislation. The study carried out with members suggests the cost of compliance is a staggering £16.8 billion – or £14,200 per firm on average," continued Jackman. The Environmental


Services Association’s policy executive, Stephen Freeland, said: “The Löfstedt Review has correctly focused on how interpretation and application of the regulations could be improved."


THE IRISHWaste Management Association (IWMA), the body that represents the private waste sector in Ireland, has published a study of the current and emerging waste management facilities in Ireland. The report examined


whether or not Ireland is on track to meet the EU Landfill Directive targets for 2013 and 2016. The study, entitled


Emerging Waste Recovery Infrastructure, found that Ireland is set to meet the 2013 and 2016 targets for the diversion of biodegradable waste from landfill, even in the event that the proposed Poolbeg incinerator does not proceed to construction. The report considered possible


scenarios for the future development of the waste sector in Ireland. These included: that all planned waste management facilities are developed as well as the Poolbeg EfW facility not being developed but that all other facilities planned by existing Irish waste management companies are completed. According to the IWMA:


“This analysis identified that the Poolbeg EfW facility is not critical to achieve compliance with targets that have been set for the diversion of waste from landfill, and neither is the Poolbeg facility necessary for the avoidance of financial penalties, as this new report confirms that more than adequate alternative infrastructure is emerging to comply with these targets.”


Ireland is set to meet its targets for the diversion of biodegradable waste Join red tape challenge


ENERGY MINISTER Charles Hendry has urged business, green groups and members of the public to help identify ineffective, burdensome or unnecessary regulation as part of the government’s red tape challenge. According to the minister, DECC has already identified


regulations that could be improved. For instance, DECC has simplified the regime for very low level radioactive materials, the sort of materials with comparable radioactivity of a smoke alarm. Hendry said: “I urge everyone to get involved in the red tape challenge and DECC will not hesitate to take action where unnecessary regulation is identified.”


• Comments can be made from November 25 to December 30 by visiting the red tape challenge website at www. redtapechallenge.cabinetoffice.gov.uk


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www. r e c y c l i n gwa s t ewo r l d . c o . u k December 1 2011


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FEATURE: MAIN


Image courtesy of Newcastle-under-Lyme


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