Royal Dutch Shell Plc announced Thursday that it will begin commercial demonstrations of its new equipment designed to reduce waste pools that are created by Canada’s oil sands extraction industry. It also confirmed that the new tech will be made available for competitors as well. Shell executives have said, however, that it is still not certain if the new technology will be up to standard with a new directive outlined by the Alberta government. The waste pools, known in the industry as tailing ponds, are a mixture of silt, sand and the residual oil leftover from using hot water to separate ... Full Story

A new reality show, ‘Great British Waste Menu’, scored top marks in the ratings with more than 5 million viewers tuning in on Wednesday, according to the most recent audience figures. The programme features four top ranking chefs who attempt to utilise waste food to make standard restaurant dishes. Drawing in a whopping 5.09 million average for the BBC One, it aired  this week during the 8.30 to 10pm slot. The show was able to outrank ITV’s live segment on the Tottenham Hotspur’s Champion’s League victory where they beat out Young Boys, which drew in 4.11 million airing at 7.30. Overall the ... Full Story

Mobile service provider O2 launched the UK’s first environmental phone rating scheme today. The service will examine the carbon footprint of each device over the course of their lifespan. Joined by sustainability organisation ‘Forum for the Future’, O2 has created a list of at least 65 mobile handsets from six different manufacturers. Each device has been rated based on its overall level of environmental impact. This includes its entire lifespan from collection of raw materials to how easy it is to recycle at the end of its life. The scheme will also include the functionality of the mobile phone with devices that ... Full Story

According to councillors across the country, the current waste processing system requires too much red tape making the process more complicated than necessary. At the moment, local authorities are forced to regularly submit information via the Environment Agency’s WasteDataFlow register. The online database, which was implemented in 2004, helps officials monitor the influx of waste. However, councils now are saying the forms on the database, which require regular updates, are time consuming to complete and councils should not encounter this much bureaucracy when managing waste processing. Data entry from each authority is required on a quarterly basis, which many ... Full Story

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The European metal packaging industry is making moves to improve its current recycling rate of 71 per cent. The carbon footprint of cans made by members of Empac (European Metal Packaging), will now be calculated on an interactive scorecard.   The aim of the scheme is to build on the group’s current recycling rate, which was recorded as being at 71 per cent in 2008. The calculator will also allow for consistent answers to an increasing ... Full Story

A North American recycling company is launching an online game to encourage people to build sustainable communities in the real as well as the virtual world. Waste Management, the biggest recycler in the country, is releasing Oceanopolis to social networking website Facebook in a bid to get gamers to think about cleaning up the world and conserving resources.   Oceanpolois will act as a virtual world where players can earn points by recycling virtual rubbish ... Full Story

The European Union will provide technical advice for the Indian Government as it looks to improve upon its waste management policies. According to Daniele Smadja, Ambassador and Head of the Delegation of the European Union in India, the cooperation between the two will be a key component to the nation reframing its policies for e-waste management and remedial measures at contamination sites. Speaking at a two-day FICCI Environment Conclave, Ms. Smadja said that the adaption would be a mix of current EU policy mixed with regulations that are suitable for India's situation. A study tour for Indian official to Europe has also ... Full Story

By 2012 current EU recycling laws requiring that a quarter of all batteries be recycled. According to Scott Butler from the European Recycling Platform (ERP), it will require everyone getting involved to achieve this goal. In a three minute film segment, the ERP has created an educational opportunity for teachers across the country to utilise when informing students of the importance of recycling. The video, a response to the 1 January 2010 European directive, follows 12-year old Ollie Osman as he use batteries in his toy car and then takes them to school to be recycled. The new European Directive states that ... Full Story

Ladbrook announced that they have begun working on developing a glass recycling machine. Based in North Walsham, Ladbrook Engineering is currently producing designs and concept models for a new generation of glass recycling equipment called the 'Little Smasher'. The 'Little Smasher' is currently being developed to heighten convenience and safety in the bottle smashing process so that waste storage can be reduced and transport made easier. The engineering firm has partnered with Smash & Grab Glass Recycling Ltd for the design, and Ladbrook will be providing the manufacturing services. Mike Blowers, managing director for Ladbrook, told PRW.com that the company was excited ... Full Story

Since its inception, Coca-Cola's Recycle Zone recycling bins programme has collected over four tonnes of recyclables in London's West End per day. The soft drink maker revealed the figures during Recycle Week this year, just prior to its launch of UK Recycle Zone's 66th location in Peterborough. According to the beverage manufacturer, one tonne of materials are being collected each day just at Oxford street. That equals a year of 99 million Coke containers, and a total of 60 per cent of all waste being placed into the 260 bins located around London. The dual bins contain a compartment for regular rubbish ... Full Story

As Recycle Week takes off on Monday, the theme for the campaign has been announced - 'Love your electricals'. Based on research compiled by Recycle Now, the national recycling scheme, examining people's attitudes towards small electrical devices, such as mobile handsets, MP3 players, and laptops, it was discovered that many hold onto such items long after they use them. Of the respondents, 40 per cent said it was too sad to part with such an item, even once it had been made redundant. Another 41 per cent felt the electronic may come in handy later, and 23 per cent thought the item ... Full Story