Did you know that one European country could be using 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025?
Did you know that one European country could be using 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025?
No coal-fired power station has been operating in Scotland since March 2016. At that time, the power station at Longannet, north-west of Edinburgh, which had been in operation since 1973, closed. This means that after 115 years, Scotland has ended the generation of electricity from burning coal.
Statistics show that the share of renewable energy in Scotland's total electricity consumption was 97.4 per cent in 2022, compared to 90.1 per cent the year before. Scotland owes this result primarily to the development of onshore wind farms, which provided around 70 per cent of the country's green energy. The remaining 30 per cent was provided by offshore wind farms and hydropower.
Scottish Renewables, the association for the renewable energy industry in Scotland, highlights how much progress has been made over the past decade. In 2011, the share of renewables in the overall energy mix was just 37 per cent.
The latest figures show that Scotland could be using 100 per cent renewable energy by 2025 and even start transporting the surplus to other countries.
Plans are underway to install and commission a new wind farm of 60 SG 14-222 DD turbines for Moray West, an offshore wind farm owned by Ocean Winds, located off the coast of north-east Scotland in 2024. Each turbine will have an individual capacity of 14.7MW; at the moment the most powerful wind turbine ever built. Scotland is now close to meeting its target of full renewable energy use in the national electricity supply, with the Scottish authorities planning to achieve a 50 per cent share of renewable energy in total electricity, heat and transport consumption by 2030. The long-term goal is to achieve near-total decarbonisation by 2050.
Made4Loop - the answer to the new SUP duties
Made4Loop - the answer to the new SUP duties
Although the era of free disposable cups is slowly coming to an end, change does not have to mean a chaotic revolution in the company.
From 1 July 2024, businesses selling drinks in disposable cups will have to provide their customers with alternative packaging that is more environmentally friendly. This change aims to reduce plastic waste and is one of the most controversial environmental legislative moves in recent years. While it may seem like just another legal and office formality to many, it can give business owners sleepless nights as it means they need to take decisive action and look for effective solutions.
Therefore, businesses may consider introducing reusable packaging or packaging made of other materials, including oxidegradable plastics. Alternatively, they may choose to introduce a deposit system for reusable packaging that would allow it to be returned and reused.
This is why the Interzero service was created, based on a deposit system for reusable packaging. Model Made4Loop involves the use of reusable cups and packaging, which customers rent against a deposit and then return in a deposit system. In this way, the packaging remains in a closed loop and is reused dozens, if not hundreds of times.
You can find out more from the press release HERE
We would like to remind you that already on 22 February there will be a webinarduring which he himself Zbigniew Skowronek tell us more about the service Made4Loop from Interzero. Registration at the link HERE
Did you know that an American startup is turning bottles into eco-friendly sand?
Did you know that an American startup is turning bottles into eco-friendly sand?
The problem of sand shortage as a natural resource is very large. According to statistics, the demand for sand is around 30-50 billion tonnes per year. And although this material is renewable, not in the quantity we need today. This is why the start-up Glass Half Full addressed such an important topic as recycling sand from glass.
Even a single glass bottle, discarded in the city's rubbish bin, will contribute to its contents ending up in a landfill, where it will never decompose. Annually, New Orleans spends millions of dollars on landfill disposal, as well as importing sand.
Franziska Trautmann, who is the founder and CEO of Glass Half Full, said that after the beer bottles are collected and sorted, the glass is processed by pulverising it with hammer crushers at a local facility on Louisa St. The crushed product is later sieved to remove labels and sorted into different sized pellets. The final product ranges from super-soft, reminiscent of sand on a warm beach, to coarse glass gravel.
Sand and cullet can be used for a myriad of applications. From shoreline restoration and disaster relief to flooring and new glass products.
In 2 years, 4 million bottles were collected in New Orleans. In this way, glass 'waste' is transformed into a resource that actually benefits the community.
Source: https://glasshalffull.co/.
Entrepreneur: remember to file a report in My Interzero!
Entrepreneur: remember to file a report in My Interzero!
We would like to remind you that the annual reporting period is underway. Therefore, please provide us with the actual weights of packaging, products and batteries introduced by your company in 2023. We need this news in order to fulfil the obligations you have entrusted to us.
Data must be completed by 31 January 2024 via the customer portal My Interzero.
At this link, you will find clear instructions to help you fill in your report in the My Interzero customer portal efficiently. If you have forgotten your password or login, you will find information on how to retrieve it.
Log in to the My Interzero platform and submit your 2023 report NOW.
If you have any problems, please refer to the instructional videos in the help section. HERE
Did you know that the Euro 7 emissions standard has received further approval? What about trucks?
Did you know that the Euro 7 emissions standard has received further approval? What about trucks?
The Euro 7 emissions standard has been approved, this time following an agreement between the European Parliament and the Council of the European Union.
Both institutions, both the Council and the Parliament, supported a less stringent version of Euro 7, which is both cheaper and easier to implement than the original proposal prepared by the European Commission. It is therefore highly likely that it is the reduced option that will ultimately be adopted. Among other things, it introduces more stringent emissions tests for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes, carried out on the road rather than in a laboratory. The new standard also includes dust limits for brakes and tyres, which is a new requirement. In addition, Euro 7 regulates the minimum wear resistance of electric vehicle batteries.
Final approval of the new rules can be expected in the first weeks of 2024. This is when the countdown to the implementation of the new rules will begin. According to the latest findings, this period will be two and a half years for vehicles up to 3.5 tonnes, and four years for vehicles over 3.5 tonnes. So while the new regulations will be approved in the early spring of 2024, the first trucks will be obliged to meet the Euro 7 standard in the early spring of 2028.
This change is particularly important because with the introduction of Euro 7, the current Euro 6 standard is likely to be challenged. Euro 6 trucks may be subject to higher road tolls, restrictions on entry into environmental zones and may be viewed unfavourably by potential customers. These are scenarios we are already familiar with from the past.
Did you know that jellyfish can help us in the fight against microplastics?
Did you know that jellyfish can help us in the fight against microplastics?
Marine and coastal pollution resulting from the presence of plastic microplastics poses a serious threat to the environment. The EU-funded GoJelly project aims to address these problems simultaneously by developing, testing and promoting some innovative solution.
The GoJelly project focuses on creation of a prototype TRL 5-6 microplastic filter using jellyfish mucus as raw material. This solution will effectively remove microplastic pollution from the seas and coastal areas. In addition, it will create employment opportunities for commercial fishermen, generate valuable by-products and provide resources for the food and feed industry as well as organic farming. Prototype GoJelly products will be tested and demonstrated in three different European seas (Norwegian, Baltic and Mediterranean) by a range of stakeholders, including industry partners.
Using one problem to solve another is the main idea behind the GoJelly project. The initiative has been receiving financial support from the European Union since the beginning of 2018. Its main objective is to create an innovative filter that would bind microplastic particles in wastewater treatment plants, eliminating those that are not removed by the standard recycling process.
"The mucus secreted by jellyfish acts on plastic particles like glue"., says the project chairman. The team of researchers therefore came up with the idea of using this process as an effective filter.
The result will be less plastic in the ocean and therefore more jobs for commercial fishermen outside the jellyfish harvesting season.
Source: https://gojelly.eu/about/.
Did you know that in the next few years Warsaw will produce half as much exhaust gas?
Did you know that in the next few years Warsaw will produce half as much exhaust gas?
Already a second city in Poland is introducing a clean transport zone. This time it will be the capital city of Warsaw. Clean transport zone this aboutA zone in which only vehicles complying with certain emission standards are allowed to circulate. This has been practised in Europe for many years in order to improve air quality in cities and take care of the health of residents. There are already more than 320 restricted traffic zones in Europe, most in Germany and Italy. Krakow first in Poland already adopted a resolution to create such a zone within the city, and it will begin in July 2024.
In accordance with assumption, clean transport zone in Warsaw will embraceew the following areas:
- the entire districts of Śródmieście, Żoliborz and Praga Północ;
- most Ochoty (except for the section with the Reduta Shopping Centre, Mszczonowska Street and Western Railway Station)
- most Pragi South (apart from the Olszynka Grochowska area: uninhabited PKP area and nature reserve);
- Most of Mokotów (except Sadyba, Stegien, Augustówka and part of Służewiec);
- About half of Wola (up to Prymas Tysiąclecia Avenue).
Persons residing in including areas that pay taxes in Warsaw will be exempt from the zone's conditions during the two initial phases of its introduction. The Clean Transport Zone (SCT) rules will only apply to them from January 2028. At that time, restrictions will include a ban on vehicles with engines moving through the area diesel vehicles older than 13 years and petrol vehicles older than 22 years.
People who bought vehicles after the adoption of the resolution, and other residents of Warsaw will be subject to the requirements already outlined without change. From July 2024, they will not be able to drive in the Clean Transport Zone area using diesel vehicles older than 18 years and petrol vehicles older than 27 years.
In addition, special exceptions are provided for senior citizens, i.e. people who will reach the age of 70 by the end of 2023, provided that they already owned their vehicles before the adoption of the Clean Transport Zone (SCT) resolution. As a result, those over 70 who meet certain conditions will be exempted indefinitely from the SCT rules.
We hope that the implementation of strefy clean transport will significantly improve air quality and thus the lives of Warsaw's inhabitants.
Did you know that two Polish cities have been ranked as climate and environmentally friendly?
Did you know that two Polish cities have been ranked as climate and environmentally friendly?
More and more travellers around the world are placing importance on visiting destinations for which sustainability is important. Global Destination Sustainability Movement assesses cities annually for their environmental friendliness. The assessment covers four main areas: environmental performance, which takes into account public transport policies, carbon emissions and the use of renewable energy sources; social performance, covering aspects such as personal safety, health and wellbeing; governance; and sustainability of tourism providers such as airports, hotels and restaurants in a city.
In 2023, the group expanded its list to include 100 cities worldwide. In the top 20 destinations ranking, Denmark took the top spot, with five cities in the top 20. Sweden also gained three places in this list. For the seventh consecutive year, the most sustainable city was Sweden's Gothenburg, which is located on the archipelago. The city has actively engaged in environmental policy. One ambitious project is the Gothenburg Green City Zone, aiming to completely eliminate emissions in the zone by 2030 through modern transport and infrastructure. Gothenburg Airport has the highest Airport Carbon Accreditation certificate and its shuttle bus runs on rapeseed oil. The city's southern islands are completely vehicle-free and can only be reached by public transport. With a score of 94,64% out of 100%, Gothenburg is recognised as one of the greenest cities in the world.
In Poland, the highest ratings were given to Krakow (43% from 100%) and Gdansk (29% from 100%). Krakow focuses on improving air quality, developing urban mobility, energy efficiency of buildings, the quality and accessibility of green spaces and raising the environmental and climate awareness of the population. In Gdansk, the municipal authorities focus on eliminating plastic consumption, promoting local culture and creating alternative and attractive tourist destinations in revitalised areas.
Source: (1)
Did you know that glitter has been banned in the EU?
Did you know that glitter has been banned in the EU?
The European Union has announced a ban on products containing microplastics. The ban on the sale of free-flowing glitter came into effect as early as 15 October 2023, initially applying only to Germany, but there are plans to extend it to the entire European Union. The new legislation bans not only make-up products, but also many other products containing glitter. This initiative aims to counteract the negative effects of microplastics on the environment and human health. Make-up, lip and nail products will gradually be subject to the new rules; glitter present in rinse-off products will be available until 16 October 2027 and in non-rinse-off products until 16 October 2029. In 2030, synthetic polymeric microparticles used to encapsulate fragrances will be banned. In 2031, the ban will extend to granules filling synthetic surfaces in sports facilities. Finally, in 2035, the ban will be extended to lipsticks, nail varnishes and make-up products.
This decision is part of the European Union's strategy in the fight against pollution and in the ecological transition. The European Commission explains that the new rules are designed to prevent the release of around half a million tonnes of microplastic particles into the environment. Although glitter is a relatively small part of the total pollution, its elimination is of great importance. Virginijus Sinkevičius, Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, argues that the ban on the deliberate addition of plastic microparticles is a response to serious environmental and human health concerns. Sinkevičius points out that these materials are already present in nature, as well as in food and drinking water.
The ban does not include glitter made from biodegradable, organic or water-soluble materials.
Source: (1)
Deposit on beverage packaging. What is the bill establishing a deposit system in Poland?
Deposit on beverage packaging. What is the bill establishing a deposit system in Poland?
The Sejm has passed the Act on amending the Act on packaging and packaging waste management and certain other acts, which establishes the legal framework for the operation of the deposit system in Poland.
The law stipulates that all retail units offering products with packaging covered by the deposit system will be obliged to collect the deposit. On the other hand, each retail and wholesale unit with a sales area of more than 200 m2, where products with packaging covered by the deposit system will be offered to users, will be obliged to collect empty packaging and packaging waste and to return the deposit.
Achieving the objectives of the Act requires an efficient collection system, based on a deposit system that will support entrepreneurs. The deposit system will be set up by an entity referred to in the law as a 'representative entity', which will be established by the entrepreneurs introducing beverages in packaging covered by the deposit system or the employers' associations and chambers of commerce representing them. This entity will not only set up the system, but will also be responsible for its operation. Entrepreneurs who do not set up such an entity will be able to join the established bailment system on an equal basis. In doing so, the Act allows for the possibility of more than one bailment system.
Read more in the latest issue magazines Source.
If you are a manufacturer, retailer or distributor and are joining a bail-in scheme, Interzero can support you with your bail-in obligations. For more information, see HERE and HERE.