DGH has considerable expertise in a broad range of environmental issues, including waste and carbon management and energy efficiency. Our people, who include Chartered waste managers and engineers, have the skills to identify and quantify our clients’ environmental impacts.We hope you enjoy our first in a periodic series of e-newsletters. If so, please feel free to forward to a colleague. If not, apologies, and there is an unsubscribe link at the foot of this email.
ANAEROBIC DIGESTION – COMING OF AGE?
Anaerobic digestion (AD) is a natural biological process carried out by bacteria in the absence of air, whereby organic material is broken down into stable fertiliser and useful biogas.
DGH currently is advising on facilities ranging from 8m3 to 27m3 biogas plants fed by the manure from 4-100 cows in Kenya, up to regional facilities taking a variety of waste streams in the UK.
NOISE NOW ON THE MAP
Defra has now released noise maps for areas with a population greater than 250,000, and major roads, major railways or major airports. These maps have been produced as the first stage of the European Noise Directive. The next stage will be to develop noise action plans for the mapped areas. The maps have been produced for strategic use – this means that they are not accurate enough to give the noise level outside a particular house, but can be used to spot where the noisy areas are in towns. Funnily enough, this tends to be adjacent to busy roads, railways and airports!
CLOAK AND DAGGER STUFF?
Can a ‘noise cloak’ prevent neighbourhood noise? The Polytechnic University of Valencia has calculated that it should be possible to construct a material to shield items from noise. The material now needs to be constructed and tested to see if it will work. The researchers claim that such a material could be used to soundproof homes or enhance the acoustics in concert halls. It will be interesting to follow the development of this material and see if it is a true acoustic panacea.
CONSTRUCTION TO GO FULLY GREEN
The Government recently announced its plans (via a Sustainable Construction Strategy) for greener construction, stating that by 2019 every new non-residential building must have a zero carbon rating. For the past 3 years the rulings have applied to all new homes, schools and public-funded buildings but the new building regulations that are scheduled to come into effect in 2010, 2013 and 2016 will mean they apply to all new buildings. The strategy spans the whole construction process, from design and procurement to project management and construction.
GREEN FUNDING APPETITE
Within one month of launching a major share issue, Bristol-based ethical bank Triodos has raised more than £5m of an £8.5m investment in its Renewables Fund. The fund will invest directly into UK renewable energy projects and companies. For information, visit Triodos.
KITEMARK TRIALLED IN SOUTH WEST FOR GREEN BUSINESSES
A kitemark scheme for social enterprises, believed to be the world’s first, is being trialled in the South West. The Social Enterprise Mark will be awarded to companies who carry out predominantly social and environmental activities and who reinvest profits in the business rather than purely rewarding shareholders.
The scheme is being sponsored by Triodos, the Co-Operative Group and the South West Development Agency. The scheme’s operators aim to award the kitemark to 450 regional businesses by 2010. The UK ethical goods and services market is estimated at £32 billion pa and is growing at 10% pa. rise-sw.co.uk.
OUR PEOPLE
David Hooper has been appointed onto the Scientific and Technical Committee of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management. Its role is to develop technical policy, promote best practice and provide a forum for the discussion and development of waste and environmental issues. David is also currently the SW centre Chairman of the Institution and a regular speaker at their seminars.
For further information contact David Hooper