A recent report from the Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) has warned that pressure on local authorities to keep waste out of landfill is at risk of backfiring. Ever increasing target rates for recycling is resulting in an emphasis of quantity not quality, producing a poor quality stream of recyclable material. Accordingly much of this is low-grade recycled material which holds no real economic value so ironically becomes destined for landfill anyway.

The report suggests that the waste industry needs to amend its culture to focus not only on increasing the amount of material recycled, but also on the quality and value of the material being recycled. This would then allow recycled materials to be fed back into the economy as saleable goods.

The report calls for the progression to a “circular economy” where recovered and recycled material is of a sufficient quality to be routinely reused in the economy. The ICE has suggested that the cost of making the required changes could be anywhere between £10-20bn by 2020.

BuilderScrap is of course fully aware of the need to change attitudes towards waste management, one method of ensuring that materials are not down-cycled is by ensuring that good quality new and used material are used for their intended purpose. For example construction waste, which equates to approximately 120 million tonnes includes approximately 14% of this is brand new material which has become surplus (WRAP). Furthermore, it is estimated that the same quantity again is reusable second hand material.

By recovering this material before recycling, significant savings can be made with reduced demands on energy and resources required in the recycling process, whilst also ensuring that the product has an economic value and not downgraded. Reclaiming and reusing materials is the most effective way to recover value from waste materials.

Defra has welcomed the report by the Institute of Civil Engineers (ICE) and will be utilising the report alongside their current review of waste policies in England. A spokesperson from Defra stated “It contains some interesting ideas and policy suggestions which we will look at in detail as part of our review”.

It will be interesting to see whether this review places greater importance on the areas of reuse and ensure that legislation and incentives ensure that the ideal waste hierarchy is achievable and economically viable.

Source: BBC News (13/01/2011) (http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-12172766)

The UK will be getting its first ever purpose-built solar farm in Truro, Cornwall.

35 Degrees is the solar company who has won the permission to begin £4 million construction at a former tin mine site, Wheal Jane.

The farm will cover 5 acres of land and will generate 1.3MW of electricity through a massive 6,000 metre-high photovoltaic panels.

Cornwall Council have given the loan for the construction and believe there to be a further £1 billion investment for the county. They hope that others will follow suit and apply for building permissions.

Lucy Hunt, manager at Cornwall Development Company, the economic development company for Cornwall Council, said: “We’re seeing the start of a Cornwall solar gold rush.”

While solar energy has yet to make the impact of other renewable energy sources such as wind power, it is seen as having great potential. An average sized domestic solar PV system in the UK will generate 2,125 kWh per year, more than half the typical household.

In the government’s Comprehensive Spending Review the feed-in tariff plans were maintained. This was welcomed by the solar energy industry.

Solarcentury’s executive chairman, Jeremy Leggett, said: “My colleagues and I are delighted that the coalition politicians who understand the potential for UK plc in the unfolding global solar revolution have maintained course with the feed-in tariff.”

Solar panels which were removed by Ronald Reagan in one of his first acts as US President have been re-installed to the roof of the White House.

Some two decades after Mr Reagan’s decision to remove solar panels which were first installed under President Jimmy carter have now returned to The White House.

The move was announced by America’s energy sectary, Steven Chu, and has the full backing of current president Barack Obama.

Mr Chu said: “As you know, president Obama has a strong commitment to American leadership in solar technologies and the jobs they will create.”

“We’re taking an important next step, as we move toward a clean energy economy; the White House will lead by example.”

“I’m pleased to announce that, by the end of this spring, there will be solar panels and a solar hot water heater on the roof of the White House.”

“These two solar installations will be part of a Department of Energy demonstration project.”

“The project will show American solar technology is available, reliable, and ready to install in homes throughout the country.”

So what exactly do we call the White House now, if they keep up with all these environmental gadgets it may one day be referred to as the greenest White House in history, which could get a little confusing.

Pretek Precision Homes have won an £8 million investment deal to manufacture zero carbon homes at a purpose-built factory in the north of England.

The company is aiming to create up to 400 new jobs at its new plant in Blackburn, Lancashire, which will have the capacity to produce 3,000-plus new timber frame homes a year. It has converted a 192,000 sq ft former steel storage building at Walker Park into its new facility.

The venture was established following research and planning into efficient and cost effective factory assembled homes in Scandinavia, Canada and Japan. Manufacturing is already under way and a full-size terrace of homes has been constructed at the factory site to showcase the product.

Peter Marshall, chief executive of Pretek, said: “The use of sustainable materials put together off-site is the way forward for energy efficient homes in the UK.”

The use of sustainable construction materials and properly managing building supply are both excellent ways not only to save money but also help the environment.

Offsite design and build can significantly reduce the amount of waste and surplus product which is accumulated in the build process, an approach which BuilderScrap supports.

David Cameron launched a challenge for Whitehall ministries: they are competing to slash the energy use in their departmental head quarters over the next month. Departmental progress will be revealed in an online league table that will be updated daily, at www.data.gov.uk

David Cameron said, “In May I called for real action to make us the greenest government ever. I made a commitment that over the next 12 months; central government departments would reduce their carbon emissions by 10 per cent. We have made a start but clearly we can all do much more to show leadership on this vital issue. So today is a clear challenge to cabinet ministers and an opportunity for the public to hold us to account.”

The departments are aiming to achieve a 10% saving over a longer timescale than a month. The Home Office has signed a ‘payment by results’ investment and performance contract with British Gas and facilities management specialist Amey to deliver energy saving solutions. There are a number of different ways in which they hope to save power and energy we will wait and find out how successful they will be.

Technology Strategy Board (TSB) will announce the results of the energy efficient Whitehall competition next month.

I recently came across this interesting article on the sustainablebuild website. I enjoyed reading it and thought it was worth sharing with the BuilderScrap readers.

The concept of a green building was developed in the 1970s in response to the energy crisis and people’s growing concerns about the environment. The need to save energy and mitigate environmental problems fostered a wave of green building innovation that has continued to this day.

Green buildings and green building products are not easily defined. Often known as sustainable buildings or eco-homes, there is a range of opinion on what can be classed as a green home. It is generally agreed that green buildings are structures that are sited, designed, built, renovated and operated to energy-efficient guidelines, and that they will have a positive environmental, economic and social impact over their life cycle. Green specifications provide a good set of guidelines for the building industry, but these are still in the process of being formalised into UK regulation and many are open to interpretation.

Elements of Eco Building

Four main areas need to be considered in green building: materials, energy, water and health.

Construction Materials

These are obtained from natural, renewable sources that have been managed and harvested in a sustainable way; or they are obtained locally to reduce the embedded energy costs of transportation; or used building supplies or surplus building materials at nearby sites. Materials are assessed using green specifications that look at their Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) in terms of their embodied energy, durability, recycled materials content, waste minimisation, and their ability to be reused or recycled.

Energy

Passive solar design will dramatically reduce the heating and cooling costs of a building, as will high levels of insulation and energy-efficient windows. Natural daylight design reduces a building’s electricity needs, and improves people’s health and productivity. Green buildings also incorporate energy-efficient lighting, low energy appliances, and renewable energy technologies such as wind turbines and solar panels.

Water

Minimising water use is achieved by installing greywater and rainwater catchment systems that recycle water for irrigation or toilet flushing; water-efficient appliances, such as low flow showerheads, self-closing or spray taps; low-flush toilets, or waterless composting toilets. Installing point of use hot water systems and lagging pipes saves on water heating.

Health

Using non-toxic materials and products will improve indoor air quality, and reduce the rate of asthma, allergy and sick building syndrome. These materials are emission-free, have low or no VOC content, and are moisture resistant to deter moulds, spores and other microbes. Indoor air quality is also addressed through ventilation systems and materials that control humidity and allow a building to breathe.

In addition to addressing the above areas, a green building should provide cost savings to the builder and occupants, and meet the broader needs of the community, by using local labour, providing affordable housing, and ensuring the building is sited appropriately for community needs.

A Holistic Approach

Green building requires a holistic approach that considers each component of a building, in relationship to the context of the whole building, whilst considering the impact on the wider environment and community around it. This is a highly complex approach that requires builders, architects and designers to think creatively, using systems integration throughout their work. There are several technology tools and assessment methodologies that can help builders with this process including BREEAM (Building and Research Establishment Environmental Assessment Method) and EcoHomes.

Building Hope for the Future

Although still in its infancy, building green is a rapidly growing trade. UK regulations now demand that green specifications are met in all new building design and development, as part of their wider sustainable development strategy, and this means that green buildings are emerging throughout the country. In an age threatened by climate change, energy shortages and ever-increasing health problems it makes sense to build homes that are durable, save energy, reduce waste and pollution, and promote health and well-being. A green building is more than a model for sustainable living; it can build hope for the future.

Last week, wind energy surpassed the 5GW energy generation mark, which is enough electricity to power 3 million homes for an entire year.

This landmark was achieved by the commissioning of 2 wind farm developments this month. The Vattenfall’s 300 MW Thanet offshore wind farm, which came on stream as of last week and the expansion of Fred Olsen Renewables’ Crystal Rig 200MW onshore wind farm in the Scottish Borders which was completed early September.

RenewableUK Chief Executive Maria McCaffery MBE, said last week: “Today’s developments are of tremendous significance for meeting our long term renewable energy targets.

“In 2002 the UK was generating around 2% of all electricity from renewable sources, we are now on the threshold of 10%, having increased outputs five fold.

“This demonstrates that, considering the current pipeline of projects, 2020 targets are realistic and achievable, provided the policies are in place.”

This is really beginning to seem like we may hit our targets regarding the Renewable Energy Strategy published in 2009, in which the Government outlined a scenario for the UK to reach around 30% of electricity from wind by 2020 in order to meet EU targets on reducing carbon emissions.

On the 23 September the Thanet Offshore Wind Farm officially opened, which now has the capacity to power over 200,000 homes.

The site has 100 turbines, the owners Vattenfall say it is the largest offshore farm in the world was opened by Chris Huhne and began producing power the same day.

Mr Huhne was joined by Swedish firm Vattenfall’s Chief Executive Øystein Løseth for the ceremony.

Mr Løseth said: “This is a milestone in the development of renewable energy for a sustainable society.”

“For Vattenfall it is a springboard to the future, both to the British market and to large-scale offshore wind power.”

“This is an expression not only of the rapid technological development in offshore wind power, but also of Vattenfall’s development strategy, where the UK is seen as one of the main future markets for offshore wind power.”

Thanet lies in sight of Kentish flats, another offshore wind farm owned by Vattenfall and the two organisations have been merged into one.

Including Thanet Vattenfall is producing 25% of the world’s offshore wind power.

The development of the East Anglia Array, a gigantic offshore wind farm area in the North Sea off the east coast of England, granted jointly to Vattenfall and ScottishPower Renewables.

Birmingham City Council, which is the largest local authority in Europe, has had its motion passed to generate its own power.

On Tuesday 7 September the council passed a motion to develop a Green Energy Action Plan, which will look into government-backed plans for council to generate and sell their own power, through what is known as ‘feed in tariffs’.

This move will give authorities across England and Wales the ability to generate green electricity for their own use through solar panels and wind turbines, any surplus energy left can be sold directly to the national grid.

Birmingham’s deputy leader, Paul Tilsley presented the motion stating it would give the council the power to ‘take a leading role in tackling climate change’.

He added: “We currently spend in excess of £25million per annum on energy; the freedom to reduce this now exists and we should be maximising feed-in tariffs to their full potential.”

Birmingham has already proved it takes initiative when it comes to reducing carbon emissions, as it has three CHP schemes in the city which in total saves around 12,800 tonnes of CO2 per annum.

With the added financial incentive feed-in-tariffs provide for councils, there will be approximately £100 million per year across England and Wales.

Mr Tilsley added: “The development of micro generation facilities that can take advantage of feed-in tariffs is a further step on the road to reducing C02 emissions, cutting our energy bills and via the income generated, allowing us to invest the money in council services.”

The oil pouring into the Gulf of Mexico has finally stopped, though the cost of the damage still remains unknown. At present the oil company BP has paid out a staggering $9.5bn (£6.4bn).  They have set up a compensation fund of $20bn which gives the impression the cost is far from complete.

The compensation fund is now run by lawyer Kenneth Feinberg, as President Obama decided the fund would not be put under the control of BP or the US government, but an impartial third party. Since this move the compensation paid out has almost trebled from $3.5m a day to $12.5m a day.

They have paid out 19,000 claims which total $240m; they have had to pay fisherman, hoteliers, retailers and other parties affected by the disaster. It took a shocking 5 months to plug the hole. Thad Allen, a former Coast Guard Admiral who is heading the US Government to the spill declared the well ‘effectively dead’ after a pressure test by BP.

The new incoming Chief Executive, Bob Dudley who officially takes charge at BP from 1 October, said the company expects to pay out less than the committed $20bn and has set up a facility for whatever remains of the fund to be paid back to BP.

I personally feel that the full $20bn should be paid in some form. There has been a lot of bad press since the accident, 11 workers sadly lost their lives and the wildlife and environment has taken a real hit, so perhaps they should concentrate on making amends for this disaster rather than seeing how they can scrape back a couple of quid.