Shipping lines to raise paper waste transport costs
Shipping lines responsible for transporting paper waste from the west coast of the US to Asia, in particular China, are set to raise prices by 10% or more according to China Knowledge.
The new rates are likely to apply from 1 May and it is suggested that rises of US$100 per 40 foot equivalent unit will apply. Ships that have transported products from Asia to the US often load with newsprint for the return journey.
For the full article see the China Knowledge website.
Warming Artic could release frozen waste
Amongst the other catastrophic effects of global warming that are likely to effect man and the creatures that live in the Artic, it has now been revealed under the UN Environment Programme that toxic and other wastes deposited in permafrost dumps could be released.
The impervious nature of the ice rich permafrost has been used in the design of landfills for disposal of waste materials, just as say a clay would be in the UK. This technique was used by the former Soviet Union in the Artic and any resultant releases could cause severe pollution with associated high clean-up costs where this is detected.
US study confirms waste cell phones to be potentially polluting
A study undertaken by the University of California has found that cell phones could discharge a range of metals if deposited in landfills.
Analysing simulated leachates the researchers found that in addition to lead - nickel, antimony, zinc and especially copper can be found.
Designers aiming to produce less hazardous phones that will be exempt from US hazardous waste classifications will need to take into account the results highlighted in the University's research report published in Environmental Science and Technology (1 April).