The resources here are specifically designed for use by experts.
Stopping the waste
(PDF† format- 358K) September 2007
This briefing explains why the EU Waste Framework Directive is important, what is happening in the current review, what key changes Friends of the Earth are calling for, and answers some common questions.
Residual waste research
(PDF† format- 276K) June 2007
This
report analyses what materials are likely to be in residual municipal waste after high levels of reuse, recycling and composting. Please also see this note on the report.
Response to consultation on waste indicators for local authorities
(PDF† format - 35K) August 2007
This is Friends of the Earth's response to the Defra consultation on waste indicators for local authorities.
Climate change and waste management: why we should Stop the Waste
(PDF† format - 169K) September 2006
Presentation given by Dr Michael Warhurst, Senior Campaigner in the Reduce Resource Use team, at Friends of the Earth's Labour Party Conference fringe meeting 'Reducing the climate change impacts of waste management'.
Stopping the waste:
setting a long term direction for EU waste policy
(PDF† format - 800K) September 2006
Presentation given by Dr Michael Warhurst, Senior Campaigner in the Reduce Resource Use team, to European parliamentary hearing on the current review of the European Union's Waste Framework Directive.
Consultation
on the Review of Waste Strategy 2000 - Response from Friends of the
Earth
(PDF† format - 602K) May 2006
This is Friends of the Earth's response to the Defra
consultation on the Review of Waste Strategy 2000, the Government's
waste strategy for England. The consultation closed on 9th May 2006.
From waste
to resource: a new strategy for 2005 (PDF†
format - 358K) June 2005
This statement provides a number of policy recommendations for
the Government during the review of Waste Strategy 2000. The statement
has been agreed by a coalition of non-governmental environmental groups.
For more on Friends of the Earth's position also see Target
recycling: aiming for 50 per cent and beyond (PDF†)
Biowaste:
a guide for local campaigners
(PDF† format - 71K) March 2005
This briefing for local campaigners explains the policy context for
local decisions about biowaste proposals. It sets out the main issues
and explores what is known about the best environmental options. It
should be read alongside Friends of the Earth's policy position on municipal
biodegradable waste (the link above).
Local authority
recycling and EU Laws
(PDF† format - 59K) September
2004
Policies made by the UK Government have a significant impact on local
waste orientated decision making. However, the decisions made at a European
level have by far the greatest influence.This briefing note outlines
some recent developments and suggests what the implications will be
for local authorities.
Hazardous
waste
(PDF† format - 104K) January
2004
This paper looks at the issues we face in dealing with hazardous waste
in the UK in light of the EU Landfill Directive, which bans co-disposal
in landfill sites with non-hazardous waste from 2004.
Commercial
and industrial waste
(PDF† format - 139K) January
2004
The commercial and industrial sector creates around 20 per cent of the
UK's total waste. This briefing explores the challenges in dealing with
this waste stream and initiatives to minimise waste production.
The way forward
on waste
(PDF† format - 117K) January
2003
This is the new Friends of the Earth policy on municipal waste. It has
been agreed following discussions between staff and local groups and
gives our recommendations for the European Union, national government
and local authorities.
Tackling
waste in the English regions
(PDF† format - 165K) December
2002
Regional Waste Strategies are currently being written in all the English
regions. This briefing outlines how the strategies should be developed
to achieve effective and sustainable waste management.
EU Landfill
Directive and Waste Strategy
(PDF† format - 132K)
September 2002
This factsheet outlines the targets contained in the EU Landfill Directive
and the Government's Waste Strategy.
Communities
speak out on waste
(PDF† format - 1.15MB)
June 2002
In this research report over fifty community groups, working
on local waste issues around the UK, share their experiences and give
their recommendations for the Government.
Waste streams in
the UK
(PDF† format - 76K) February
2001
This briefing examines the various types of waste including municipal
waste (mostly household waste), commercial waste, industrial waste,
agricultural waste and hazardous waste. It also looks at the way each
waste stream is managed.
Beyond the
bin: The economics of waste management options
(PDF† format - 576K) Mar
2000
This report is intended to enable better decision-making in local and
central Government on waste management, by looking at the financial
and environmental costs of various options.
A summary report is also available - for a copy please get in touch.
Consultation on recycling targets for packaging for 2008 and thereafter
(PDF† format - 202K) November 2007
Our response to Defra's consultation on proposals for revisions to packaging recycling targets.
Recycling: why its important and how to do it (PDF† format - 170K) September 2007
This briefing explains the benefits of recycling and the best practice which councils should implement to improve doorstep collection schemes and maximise recycling rates.
Recycling collections - source separated or commingled?
(PDF† format - 125K) September 2007
This briefing outlines the advantages of separating recyclable materials at the kerbside in doorstep collection schemes.
Food waste collections
(PDF† format - 165K) September 2007
Separate food waste collections from households offer the biggest potential for improving recycling rates, meeting targets for reducing how much we landfill and reducing the pressure for new incinerators.
Response to consultation on recycling incentives for households
(PDF† format - 72K) August 2007
This is Friends of the Earth's response to the Defra consultation on recycling incentives for households.
Target recycling:
aiming for 50 per cent and beyond (PDF† format
- 450K) January 2005
This report looks at the impact of setting statutory recycling targets
and puts forward Friends of the Earth recommendations for future targets
and other policy measures to support high rates of recycling in the
UK.
Maximising
recycling rates - tackling residuals
(PDF† format - 175K) September
2002
This briefing outlines the key findings from research conducted
for the Community Recycling Network on how we can maximise recycling
rates from household waste and how we can best deal with the residuals,
as we move towards zero waste in this sector.
Recycling:
Can local authorities afford it?
(PDF† format - 53K) February
2002
It costs money to provide households with a quality doorstep
recycling and composting service. This factsheet outlines the costs
and assesses whether the money already provided by the government is
enough.
Recycling
in action
(PDF† format - 2.1M) February
2001
This report details 15 leading and innovative recycling schemes across
England and Wales. It is intended to help persuade local councillors
to set high recycling targets, and is full of interesting ideas on how
to achieve these. Written by the Community Recycling Network for Friends
of the Earth.
Recycling works
August 1998
Substantial publication on the employment, economic and environmental
benefits of improved resource use with a wide variety of case studies.
Unfortunately, this publication is out of print. For a photocopy, please
get in touch.
Paper recycling
- exposing the myths
November 1997
This briefing examines the arguments surrounding the potential environmental
impacts of paper recycling in relation to energy use, pollution, contribution
to climate change and in comparison to incineration as a waste management
option.
Up in smoke
(PDF† format - 154K) September 2007
This briefing looks at the reasons why Friends of the Earth opposes incineration, and covers the waste of natural resources, the effect on recycling and climate change and the pollution from air emissions and toxic ash.
Dirty truths:
incineration and climate change (PDF†
format - 755K) May 2006
This briefing summarises the report A
changing climate for energy from waste?. It investigates the climate
impacts of energy from waste and residual waste treatment and shows
that incinerators that produce electricity emit more greenhouse than
gas fired power stations.
A changing climate
for energy from waste? (PDF† format - 798K)
May 2006
This report investigates the climate impacts of energy from waste and
residual waste treatment. It is summarised in the briefing Dirty
truths: incineration and climate change.
Incinerators
and deprivation
(PDF† format - 128K) Jan
2004
Poorer communities tend to be hit hardest by environmental pollution,
adding to the problems that people living in these areas face. This
new research, which looks at the location of municipal waste incinerators
in England, finds that these plants are often built in the most deprived
wards.
Money to burn -
perverse subsidies for incineration (PDF†
format - 404K) Dec 2003
This briefing looks at the tax breaks and subsidies that incineration
currently receives. Much of this investment is driven by energy policy,
through exemptions in the Climate Change Levy and the Renewables Obligation,
but these exemptions don't fit with current waste policy. We need joined
up thinking to introduce incentives that deliver on both waste and energy
policy goals.
Incinerator
inquiries
(PDF† format - 154K) December
2002
This briefing is a review of three recent public inquiries and a judicial
hearing all considering planning permission for municipal waste incinerators.
The safety
of incinerator ash
(PDF† format - 104K) November
2002
This briefing is a review of an Environment Agency report, published
in May 2002, following well publicised problems about the use of incinerator
ash from incinerators in Edmonton, North London and Byker, Tyneside.
Incineration
and health issues
(PDF† format - 198K) May
2002
This briefing is aimed at helping campaigners ensure that health issues
are fully considered in any assessment of incineration.
How to win: Campaign
against incinerators
September 2000
An introductory guide, updating and summarising information found in
the Incineration Campaign Guide. It is available from Publications.
Incineration
campaign guide
(PDF† format - 675K) December
1997
A comprehensive guide for campaigning against incineration. The 'How
to Win: Campaign against incinerators' guide above updates and summarises
information from this guide.
Anaerobic
Digestion
(PDF† format - 121K) September
2007
With strong public opposition from local communities to incineration,
local authorities are increasingly looking for other means to tackle
the UK's growing waste problem. One such technique, explained in this
briefing, is the process of anaerobic digestion (AD).
New
waste technologies
(PDF† format - 82K) September
2004
Waste disposal authorities are increasingly looking at new technologies
to deal with waste other than landfill or incineration.This briefing
offers guidance on the questions local campaigners should be asking
when deciding whether to support new proposals.
Mechanical
and biological treatment
(PDF† format - 171K)
March 2004
Traditionally, most municipal waste in the UK has been landfilled and
more recently there has been a trend towards incineration. Mechanical
and biological treatment is a new option for dealing with our waste.
This briefing examines the process and explains the potential benefits
and disadvantages of using this technology.
Pyrolysis
and gasification
(PDF† format - 105K) October
2002
This briefing explains how pyrolysis and gasification processes work
and what their benefits and disadvantages are. It also looks at which
companies are involved in developing this technology in the UK.
Toxic tips
(PDF† format - 30K) February
1999
Friends of the Earth produced this briefing following the publication
of research in 1998 which highlighted the dangers associated with toxic
waste dumps. It outlines research into this issue and suggests how the
public can get more information locally.
Landfill
campaign guide
(PDF† format - 550K) June
1997
A comprehensive guide for campaigning against landfill.
Response to consultation on sustainable consumption and production action plan
(PDF† format - 276K) Sept 2007
Friends of the Earth's response to the European Commission's consultation on a Sustainable Consumption and Production Action Plan, and for a Sustainable Industrial Policy.
40 worst condition
ships in the US
(PDF† format - 404K) Dec 2003
A US Marine Administration document detailing the 40 worst condition
ships in the US "ghost fleet" of which 9 (marked with X) are intended
to be sent across the Atlantic for dismantling in Teesside. In total
13 ships are due to be exported to the UK from the US.
Audit report
on scrapping obsolete vessels
(PDF† format - 2.4M) Dec 2003
A US Marine Administration report which describes the environmental
threat the "ghost fleet" ships pose to the fragile environment in Virginia,
USA, due to the poor condition of the ships and the waste oils and hazardous
chemicals on board.
Report
to congress on scrapping obsolete vessels
(PDF† format - 70K) Dec 2003
A US Marine Administration document in which the President of the US
Shipbuilders of America states that the US has the capacity to scrap
all the ghost fleet ships within a 5 year period.
Needless
Risk: The Bush Administration's scheme to export toxic waste ships to
Europe
(PDF† format) Oct 2003
This is a report by the US environment group Basel Action Network, on
the US ghost fleet.
Friends
of the Earth's written evidence to the House of Commons select committee
Nov 2003
Friends of the
Earth's response to oral evidence of Peter Mandelson
(PDF† format) Nov 2003
Response to Peter Mandelson's statements at the select committee hearing
on the ghost fleet on 19th November.
The fleet for
disposal
(PDF† format) Jul 1997
Appendix A from the US Marine Administration report, 'Environmental
assessment of the sale of national defense reserve fleet vessels for
scrapping'. Report MA-ENV-820-96003.
Polychlorinated
biphenyls in vessels
(PDF† format) Jul 1997
Appendix C from the US Marine Administration report, 'Environmental
assessment of the sale of national defense reserve fleet vessels for
scrapping'. Report MA-ENV-820-96003.
†To view PDF files you will need to download
Adobe Acrobat Reader. Visually impaired users can get extra help with these
documents from access.adobe.com.
