 Second meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Rotterdam Convention on Prior Informed Consent
The 2nd Rotterdam Convention COP is being held 26-30 September 2005, in Rome, Italy. Meeting agendas and other information is available on the PIC Web site. A summary of the Conference activities and decisions is available from IISD Linkages. |
Discarded Equipment Containing Mercury now Managed as Hazardous Waste
In August 2005, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) issued a new rule classifying mercury-containing equipment as universal waste. Previously, unregulated households and some small businesses were not required to manage used mercury-containing equipment as a hazardous waste, resulting in some mercury waste getting thrown in the trash. Under this rule, used mercury-containing equipment will be readily collected for recycling or disposal at a properly permitted facility. (Further information on the new mercury rules can be found on the US EPA's Wastes Web site.) Mercury-containing equipment includes various types of instruments that are commonly used in industry, hospitals and households, such as thermometers, barometers and mercury switches.
From Pollution Online. |
UK Expands Hazardous Waste Rules to Include IT Equipment; Firms Must Register with Environment Agency
New hazardous waste regulations came into force in the UK July 16, requiring firms to keep accurate records of how they dispose of IT equipment. The newly expanded Hazardous Waste Register now includes chemicals found in many pieces of IT equipment, and firms with premises producing over 200kg per year of hazardous waste must register with the Environment Agency. New waste acceptance criteria for landfill sites will also require firms to liaise with their waste contractor and keep a record of what dangerous material their waste contains so that it can be disposed of safely.
From http://www.itweek.co.uk/2139610. |
