COMMENTARY by Editor Andy Pye xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx PLASTIC AHOY! A


recent study by Plymouth University reported that plastic was found in one-third of UK-caught fish, while a second report, by scientists at Ghent University in Belgium, calculated that people who eat seafood ingest up to 11,000 tiny pieces of


plastic every year. Andy Clarke, former CEO of ASDA, recently said: “Regardless of how


much is invested in Britain’s recycling infrastructure, virtually all plastic packaging will reach landfill or the bottom of the ocean sooner or later. Once there, it will remain on the earth for centuries.” And Miguel Campos, export sales manager at leading European packaging manufacturer Advanta, believes that the food sector must take control of getting the plastic epidemic under control by stopping it at the source. A recent UN resolution, backed by more than 200 countries, provides a


framework for a collective action to prevent and reduce marine pollution. In September, Sri Lanka announced a ban on single use plastic and Kenya has implemented what is said to be the world’s toughest plastic bag ban. However, many experts note that without binding commitments,


consumers and particularly manufacturers must take steps to begin tackling the problem. Some are looking to alternative materials for packaging. From plant-based bio-plastics to glass or aluminium, there are plenty available. Aluminium also offers storage and cooking benefits in comparison to plastic, including being heat resistant and not being affected by extreme freezing. Foil trays, which are used for ready-to-cook and takeaway meals, can


also be gas flushed or vacuum packed, dramatically extending the product shelf life in comparison to plastic. But it is important to provide a balanced view. Packaging ensures that,


even if food is not left rotting in the fields for want of someone to pick it, neither does it lie rotting on food shelves. Part of the answer is the management of packaging materials. And it is also important that other applications of plastic not be


tarnished with the same brush as single-use plastic packaging. How vital engineering plastics and composites are to weight reduction in transportation applications, which is a great environmental benefit. So let’s not throw the baby out with the bathwater – even if it is full of


‘


must take control of reducing the plastic epidemic


plastic microspheres! n In September, Sri Lanka announced a ban on single use plastic and Kenya implemented what is said to be the world’s toughest plastic bag ban earlier in the year. The Environment Management Agency in Zimbabwe has also ordered the food industry to stop using containers made from expanded polystyrene (EPS) with immediate effect.


The food sector ’


Environmental Engineering


www.EnvironmentalEngineering.org.uk Editorial


Direct Line +44 (0) 20 7863 3078 Editor Andy Pye MA (Cantab)


andy.pye@concordepublishing.com


Technical Editor Jonathan Newell BSc jon.newell@concordepublishing.com Design Editor Andy Warren


Advertising


Direct Line +44 (0) 20 7863 3077 Advertising Manager John Harvey


john.harvey@concordepublishing.com Subscriptions


Direct Line +44 (0) 20 7863 3075


Concorde Publishing Ltd Orders Department, 100 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LB, UK subscriptions@concordepublishing.com


Finance Director David Fidler


david.fidler@concordepublishing.com Managing Director Paul Williams


paul.williams@concordepublishing.com


ConcordePublishingLtd 100 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LB, UK Direct Line +44 (0) 20 7863 3079


© Society of Environmental Engineers 2018 ISSN 0954-5824


This publication is copyright under the Berne Convention and the


International Copyright Convention. Apart from any fair dealing for the purpose of private study, research, criticism or review, as permitted under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, 1988, no


part may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, electrical, chemical


mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior permission of the copyright owners. Unlicensed multiple copying of the contents of this publication is illegal. Inquiries should be


addressed to: The Publisher, Concorde Publishing Ltd, 100 Borough High Street, London SE1 1LB, UK. Views expressed are those of the authors and are not necessarily endorsed by The Society of


Environmental Engineers or its publisher Concorde Publishing Ltd. Data and conclusions developed are for information only and are not intended for use without independent substantiating investigation by the potential user.


March 2018 /// Environmental Engineering /// 3


(additional contributions by Michael Romberg, retired civil servant and freelance writer)


ENVIRONMENTAL ENGINEERS THE SOCIETY OF President and Chairman of Council


Peter Vincent, PSEE, BA, IEng, MIET, Hon.FSEE Immediate Past President


Graham Couser, PPSEE, CEng, CEnv, Hon.FSEE Past Presidents


Prof Steve Burnage PPSEE, CEng, CEnv, FIMechE Hon.FSEE


Prof Mervyn L. de Calcina-Goff, StJ, PPSEE ASIS CEnv, FRSA, Hon.FSEE


Vice Presidents


Stephen Tweed, CEng, CEnv, FSEE James Regan, CEnv, FSEE


Hon.Treasurer


Colin Weetch, IEng, FSEE Chief Executive


Prof Raymond P. Clark, OBE, DSc, CEng, CEnv, Hon.FSEE, Hon.FSE


Secretariat


Diana Kharchenko 020 7630 2132


Offices of the SEE 22 Greencoat Place, London SW1P 1PR


office@environmental.org.uk www.environmental.org.uk


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52