Householders must take care with organic waste fumes

A study in the Netherlands and an article in the New Scientist both warn that organic-only bins produce significantly more gases from decomposing waste than mixed-content bins. People storing their organic kitchen waste - such as banana skins, apple cores and potato leftovers - in badly ventilated kitchens could be damaged by breathing the resulting fumes, or find existing respiratory conditions such as asthma get worse. Studies found levels of beta-glucans in the mould found on organic waste in kitchens, which can cause lung and throat inflammation.

Mixed plastics can be recycled efficiently

Although most recycling centres accept drinks bottles and milk bottles, mixed plastics cannot be accepted. This accounts for a vast amount of the plastic we use - including disposable lunch containers, salad pots and frozen-food packaging. Research has been under way to ascertain whether mixed-plastic recycling can be done efficiently.

Ten years to see standardised recycling

The recent Recoup conference raised some interesting discussion on the recycling of mixed plastics, and also gave rise to the following prediction from Lee Marshall: “It may taken 10 years but we will see standardisation of collection across the UK.”

Committee criticises waste recycling plans

The Communities & Local Government Committee have commented that recent plans to encourage household waste recycling have become too complicated and unlikely to have effect.
Their suggestions to introduce a £50 incentive for successfully recycling households however, have not been taken as an acceptable solution.

Big-league companies join fight to reduce packaging waste

Some of the biggest manufacturers have signed up for the Government-backed project to take responsiblity for the packaging waste their products produce. Companies such as Coca-Cola and Nestle have put their names down for the Courtauld Commitment packaging reduction agreement.

The agreement aims to half packaging waste growth within a year, and reduce the waste by 2010.

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