This Defra commissioned study investigates the costs and benefits of implementing a deposit return system (DRS) on packaging containers in the UK. The aim was to determine whether introducing a DRS would offer any benefits over the existing policy mix.
Read MoreThis 2010 report builds on the previous study to provide an updated snapshot of the amount and geographical distribution of food and packaging waste arising across FDF member sites along with how this waste is being managed. Data were gathered for both 2008 and 2009 from 149 manufacturing sites and, where appropriate, were also compared to the 2006 data from the previous report. A smaller sub sample of 115 sites providing data for all three years was analysed in order to identify trends.
Read MoreClothing has a relatively high environmental footprint. Measuring the size of an item of clothing's footprint, and assessing the major contributors to it, helps to understand - and to understand how to reduce - its impact on the environment. Here we review LCA studies for certain items of clothing.
Read MoreThis report reviews evidence of environmental damage caused by inappropriate management of used lubricating oil; provides an overview of the markets for used lubricating oil; reviews the market barriers and failures affecting some of the post-collection markets, and highlights the implications for public policy.
Read MoreWe investigate how the University of Cambridge Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy's novel lead paste recycling technology would compete with existing technologies. We look at the economic, environmental, carbon and energy savings against the costs of a pilot plant, and develop an international market entry strategy.
Read MoreThis guide is designed for non-economists to make less rigorous calculations of valuations. PART OF A FIVE PIECE SET OF FILES
Read MoreWRAP commissioned us to investigate the barriers and opportunities for the wider adoption of refillable glass beverage containers in the UK, as part of their primary objective of diverting waste (glass) from landfill. This report documents the findings from the study undertaken between January and May 2008.
Read MoreRare Earths are a group of metals which have many high-technology applications. The current generation of hybrid and electric vehicles and wind turbines uses substantial quantities of Rare Earth elements in the form of high-strength magnets and rechargeable batteries. The key Rare Earths used for these applications are neodymium, dysprosium and terbium (for the permanent magnets) and lanthanum (for the batteries).
Read MoreOur research builds on previous studies and data collected by WRAP to derive estimates of waste arisings in three key stages of the UK food & drink supply chain and links it with household waste. Our report identifies areas of greatest opportunity for cost savings, improved resource efficiencies and future interventions.
Read MoreThis researched market data on the recycling and reuse of textiles, and the fate of textiles in the waste stream, including carpet disposal and carpet recycling. We provided evidence for the application of the waste hierarchy in textiles, and recommended how government and other organizations could increase recycling and reuse rates.
Read MoreThis researched market data on the recycling and reuse of textiles, and the fate of textiles in the waste stream, including carpet disposal and carpet recycling. We provided evidence for the application of the waste hierarchy in textiles, recommended how government and other organizations could increase recycling and reuse rates.
Read MoreThis report describes the findings of a review which focused on a key element of the waste supply chain, namely the contribution made by MRFs. The review sought to identify, and to encourage MRF operators to adopt, good practice in the recovery of non-inert C&D waste materials.
Read MoreA leading UK textiles recycler commissioned us to carbon-footprint its business activities. The family run business specialises in the reuse and recycling of end-of-life textiles. The firm was one of the first to operate clothing bring banks, and now collects some 7,000 tonnes of textiles annually from local authorities. The material is sorted at a dedicated processing facility before being sold on to both domestic and export markets.
Read MoreIn 2007, 4.7 million tonnes of recovered paper and 0.5 million tonnes of recovered plastics were exported for recycling overseas . The principal destination for these exports was China. But are the benefits of recycling are outweighed by the emissions associated with transporting the material to China? This report for WRAP quantifies the carbon dioxide emissions associated with transporting recovered paper and plastic bottles from the UK to China.
Read MoreThis report was commissioned by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and Defra to assess the amount of food and packaging waste arising across FDF's membership, the geographic spread of this waste and how it is being managed against the waste hierarchy.
Read MoreMaterial security concerns the access to raw materials to ensure military and economic sufficiency. Recently, its importance has increased due to limited short term availability of some raw materials, widespread increases in raw material prices, oligopolistic industry structures and dependence on a limited number of sometimes politically unstable countries as sources of key materials. Materials are most insecure when lack of substitutability in critical applications is combined with the above factors.
Read MoreDoes nanotechnology have the potential to produce more beneficial environmental impacts than traditional technology? Five applications were subject to detailed investigation, focussing on greenhouse gas reduction, in this Defra commissioned study: fuel additives, solar cells, the hydrogen economy, batteries and insulation.
Read MoreThis report quantifies business resource efficiency opportunities in the UK economy, focussing on efficiency savings that require low or no financial investment whilst reducing the quantity of waste produced or the consumption of energy or water.
Read MoreWe examined the best environmental option for disposal of container cullet recovered from the UK waste stream, and found that returning it to domestic container glass manufacturers for remelting was best. However, the amount of cullet that can be directed into domestic remelt is limited by the colour imbalance between the glass being recovered and that being produced.
Read MoreThis report looks at the impact of transport and packaging on the life cycle emissions of CO2 of imported wine, and demonstrates the significant carbon benefits from such activities as shipping wine in bulk and the lightweighting of glass wine bottles.
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