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.
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