The Scotland & Northern Ireland Forum for Environmental Research (SNIFFER) has commissioned a Code of Practice on the use of sludge, composts, and other organic materials for restoration and land improvement. The consultation documents are attached to this message. From Monday 25 January, they will be posted on the SNIFFER website, http://www.sniffer.org.uk/ in the SNIFFER 'latest news' section, where you will find the consultation documents for downloading.

The joint WRAP and Environment Agency Protocols Programme has (on January 20) published a Quality Protocol outlining when gypsum from waste plasterboard is no longer classed as waste in a move which the Defra-funded body claim could boost sales of the recycled material by £10 million.

As a local authority (LA), waste management is an integral part of your responsibilities and so forms part of your undertaking under health and safety legislation. The guidance on these web pages is intended to assist you in discharging your legal responsibilities for managing health and safety in waste, recycling and associated environmental services (from here on called 'waste services' or 'service'). The scope of the guidance includes both the procurement process and the subsequent management of the service or contract – whether you provide it in-house or contract it out. http://www.hse.gov.uk/waste/services/index.htm

The Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee has agreed a Report entitled Waste Strategy for England 2007. This is the Committee's Third Report of Session 2009-10 and was published on Tuesday 19 January 2010 at 00:01am as HC 230.

Albion is pleased with the recent External Verification visit completed by SQA on 18th January 2010. The Construction Award level 2 awards are designed for construction site operatives. These awards are usually CITB funded and also allow candidates to gain their CSC cards. In good practice section the External verifier noted the following –

 

Albion is very pleased with these results and it demonstrates the experience of our staff and the level of detail we put into developing these awards. If you are interested in getting your staff assessed please do not hesitate to contact Alasdair Meldrum.