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News

Andalucia introduces Spain to carrier bag tax

2 Sep 2010

The southern region of Andalucia has approved the introduction of Spain’s first-ever tax on single-use plastic bags. A charge of five eurocents per bag will apply from 1 January 2011, rising to ten eurocents a year later.

News

Portuguese statistics show mixed record on waste

9 Aug 2010

Portugal continues to landfill over 60% of urban waste but recycling and reuse in most waste streams have improved markedly since 2004, according to a report published by the National Statistics Institute last week. The report covers the period from 2004-09.

News

EU ponders label for non-rechargeable batteries

2 Aug 2010

A consultancy report issued last week by the European Commission's environment department has recommended a label displaying the capacity of portable non-rechargeable batteries to meet a labelling requirement in the batteries directive.

News

Brussels consults on EU raw materials initiative

23 Jul 2010

The European Commission has launched a consultation on its Raw Materials Initiative ahead of a policy paper due in the autumn. The paper will review the initiative's implementation and define raw materials policy for coming years.

News

White asbestos 'still mined in many countries'

21 Jul 2010

Two million metric tonnes of white asbestos, also called chrysotile, continue to be produced each year in many countries, mostly developing ones, according to an investigation by an international group of journalists and the BBC.

Analysis

Is time ripe for further RoHS bans in the EU?

12 Apr 2010

There are concerns in the European Parliament over a proposal by Green MEP Jill Evans to ban further potentially toxic chemicals including brominated flame retardants as part of a revision of the restriction of hazardous substances (RoHS) directive.