Ecological Screening Assessment – Bristol

Ecological Screening Assessment – Bristol

Why am I being asked for An Ecological Screening Assessment?

One of the “planning application requirements” listed for Bristol City Council is an Ecological Screening Assessment .

An Ecological Screening Assessment is required for all planning applications excepting

• Advertisement Consent
• Certificates of existing and proposed lawful development and uses
• Non material amendment

So if you are building an extension, or a new garage, or a swimming pool, or a home gym then you will need to complete An Ecological Screening Assessment.

View from Castle Park Bristol

What is in an Ecological Screening Assessment?

An Ecological Screening Assessment are not described anywhere on the Bristol Council Website, but we can bower inspiration for more organised authorities, such as Devon. In affect an ecological screen assessment will attempt to answer the below questions, and if any are answered yes then a proper preliminary ecological assessment will be required.

  • The application site (red line) is greater than 0.1 hectares?
  • Involves demolition of a building?
  • Involves works to a roof, roof space, weather boarding or hanging tiles e.g. loft conversion, roof raising, extensions, solar panels.
  • Involves works to a quarry or built structures such as bridges, viaducts, aqueducts, tunnels, mines, kilns, ice houses, military fortifications, air raid shelters, cellars and similar underground ducts and structures.
  • Involves the development of wind turbine(s), including domestic turbines.
  • Will illuminate / cause light spill onto a building, mature tree (see ix), woodland, field hedge, pasture, watercourse, water body, tree line or a known bat roost.
  • Impacts on a watercourse, intertidal area or standing open water (e.g. ponds, reedbeds) excluding ornamental garden fish ponds.
  • Removes, or moves, part / all of a hedge or line of trees (excluding non-native or urban hedges unless > 10m being removed).
  • Is within or may impact on (including impacts on hydrology), a woodland or a substantial area of scrub connected to a woodland or hedge.
  • Involves surgery to or felling of a mature tree with obvious holes, cracks or cavities, dense ivy, deadwood, bird / bat box (i.e. features which may be a bat roost).
  • Involves removal of tussocky (rough) grassland, wet grassland, flower rich grassland or heathland (heather/gorse present).
  • Involves lighting or removal of a tree line, woodland, hedges or pasture within a bat consultation zone within a bat consultation zone e.g., the South Hams SAC Sustenance Zones and Landscape Connectivity Zones (can be viewed on the Devon County Council Environment Viewer “Statutory Sites” layer – please ask the LPA during pre-ap discussions).
  • May impact directly or indirectly (via a watercourse or air pollution pathway) on a designated wildlife site (Special Areas of Conservation, Special Protection Area, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, County Wildlife Site, Local Nature Reserve, Special Verge
  • Has a clear link to increased recreational use of the coast i.e., involves the expansion of or new facilities for kayaks, paddleboarding, wild swimming, personal watercraft, coasteering or other activities, or consists of tourist accommodation directly linked to these activities (please ask the LPA during pre-ap discussions).

Above criteria are from the Devon county council checklist, but give an indication of what might be required in a Bristol checklist.

If you need a screen assessment in Bristol then please do contact us. 

The Misplaced Trust: GPS Tracking Exposes Failures in Waste Management

The Misplaced Trust: GPS Tracking Exposes Failures in Waste Management

  1. Introduction

The escalating volume of waste generated globally presents a formidable challenge to environmental sustainability and public health. In response, principles of the circular economy have gained prominence, advocating for the efficient use of resources and the minimization of waste through practices like recycling and responsible disposal methods such as legal pyrolysis. These approaches aim to transform waste from a burden into a valuable resource, reducing the strain on natural environments and fostering a more sustainable future.1 However, the efficacy of these systems hinges on transparency and accountability throughout the waste management chain.

In recent years, the application of Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking technology has emerged as a powerful tool for scrutinizing the often-opaque world of waste disposal. By attaching small, inconspicuous trackers to discarded items, investigators can monitor their journey from collection to final destination. This technology offers the potential to shed light on the actual practices of waste management companies and to verify whether waste is being handled according to intended procedures and environmental regulations.2 The repeated use of GPS tracking in investigations by journalists, non-governmental organizations, and even parliamentary bodies underscores its value in providing tangible evidence of waste mismanagement that might otherwise remain concealed.

This report aims to present documented instances, supported by credible sources, where GPS tracking has played a pivotal role in revealing two critical forms of waste mismanagement: the disposal of recyclable materials in landfills and the diversion of waste intended for legal pyrolysis to unauthorized and environmentally harmful facilities. By examining these case studies, this analysis seeks to illuminate the realities of current waste management practices and to underscore the urgent need for greater oversight and reform to ensure the integrity of these vital systems.

  1. Case Studies: GPS Tracking Reveals Recyclables Sent to Landfills
  • United States:
  • Del Mar, California (June 2024): The Journey of a Plastic Bottle to a Riverside Landfill:
    In June 2024, a resident of Del Mar, California, Kevin Grold, decided to investigate the fate of his household recycling.17 Driven by a desire to ensure his efforts to recycle were indeed contributing to environmental preservation, Grold purchased an inexpensive GPS tracking device online. He attached this tracker to a plastic water bottle and placed it in his designated recycling bin. The initial tracking data showed the bottle’s journey to a recycling center located in Escondido, seemingly confirming the proper handling of the item. However, Grold continued to monitor the tracker’s location, and several hours later, he observed its movement further north, ultimately pinpointing its final location at a landfill in Riverside.17 This discovery was disheartening for Grold, who viewed recycling as a personal commitment to environmental stewardship.18 He noted information on the website of his recycling service provider, EDCO, which explained that even minimal contamination in a recycling bin could lead to the rejection of an entire load.17 This explanation, coupled with the low national plastic recycling rate of approximately 5% reported by EarthDay.org and I Love A Clean San Diego, prompted Grold to speculate about the possibility of a magnet at the recycling facility accidentally rejecting the bottle with the tracker, or the more concerning possibility that recyclables are not consistently processed as intended.17 Subsequent experiments conducted by Grold with other plastic and cardboard items showed that they did reach recycling centers for processing, but their ultimate destination remained unknown.17 This personal investigation underscores the potential for items seemingly destined for recycling to end up in landfills, raising questions about the efficiency and transparency of the recycling process as experienced by everyday consumers.
  • Los Angeles, California (Ongoing): Tracking Starbucks Single-Use Cups to Orange County Landfills:
    A significant investigation by KCAL News in Los Angeles brought to light the questionable fate of Starbucks single-use plastic cups that consumers diligently place in recycling bins.19 Former high-tech executive Susan Keefe embarked on an experiment to track these ubiquitous cups, which constitute a substantial portion of Starbucks’ sales.19 Keefe placed trackers inside used iced drink cups and deposited them in Starbucks’ own recycling bins. By following the trucks that collected the recyclables, she discovered that a significant number of these cups were ultimately transported to a landfill in Orange County.19 This outcome was far from Keefe’s expectation, as she aimed to see the plastic recycled. KCAL News further conducted their own tracking experiment, placing a tracker in a cup at an East Los Angeles Starbucks. This cup was tracked to a waste transfer center just a mile and a half away, a location experts indicated is often a precursor to landfill disposal.19 Another cup dropped in Hollywood traveled 13 miles to a waste transfer center in Sun Valley that also operates as a materials recovery facility (MRF). A third cup from Beverly Hills ended up 18 miles away at another Sun Valley MRF. While an employee at this facility claimed the plastic items are recovered and shipped out, an expert expressed skepticism about their likelihood of being truly recycled.19 Expanding the scope nationally, CBS News investigative teams tracked 57 cups placed in Starbucks recycling bins across 18 cities. Of these, possible locations were found for 36 cups, with a mere four reaching facilities that appeared to be genuine recovery centers. Alarmingly, 14 cups ended up at locations resembling landfills.19 Starbucks executives acknowledged these findings as “unacceptable” and “disappointing,” suggesting that factors outside their direct control, such as contamination or mixed materials, could explain why the cups do not always reach their intended recycling destinations.19 However, the investigator in the initial KCAL News report asserted that Starbucks is actively misleading the public with their recycling claims.19 In contrast to the findings with the Starbucks cups, a separate instance involved a plastic bottle and an aluminum can deposited in recycling bins at a CBS Broadcast Center, where the bottle was tracked to a recycling center and the can’s last recorded location suggested it might have been crushed for recycling.19 This comprehensive investigation highlights a potential disconnect between the intended recycling pathway for a specific product and its actual fate, raising concerns about corporate responsibility and the effectiveness of recycling programs for certain types of waste.
  • Houston, Texas (October 2022): Plastic Waste from a Recycling Program Ends Up in a Remote Landfill:
    In Houston, Texas, the promise of advanced plastic recycling was put to the test by local activist Brandy Deason.20 Deason participated in the Houston Recycling Collaboration, a public-private partnership that launched with the support of Exxon and advertised its ability to chemically recycle any type of plastic.20 To ascertain the reality of this claim, Deason placed an Apple Tag tracking device in her bagged plastic waste and deposited it at one of the program’s drop-off sites.20 However, an investigation by Inside Climate News and CBS, conducted with Deason’s assistance, revealed a starkly different outcome.20 The tagged plastic bags were tracked to Wright Waste Management, a remote facility situated 20 miles outside of Houston’s downtown area.20 Aerial drone footage of this site showed a vast, open-air pile of trash, strongly suggesting that the plastic waste was being landfilled rather than recycled.20 Adding to the concerning findings, the promised “advanced recycling” facility, which was supposed to enact the chemical recycling process, had not even opened, nearly two years after the program’s launch, and was not expected to be operational until the following year.20 Despite the lack of an operational recycling plant, the Houston Recycling Collaboration had expanded its drop-off locations, a move that, according to the investigation, appeared to be funneling an increasing amount of plastic waste to the Wright facility, which was described as little more than a “glorified landfill”.20 Further scrutiny revealed potential safety hazards at the Wright facility. Experts who spoke to Inside Climate News noted that storing large quantities of plastic waste in the Texas heat could pose a significant fire risk.20 Public records obtained by the news outlets through a documents request showed that the facility had failed fire marshal inspections on three separate occasions between July 2023 and April 2024 due to missing permits related to the storage of hazardous and combustible materials.20 Deason, who consciously tries to minimize her own plastic consumption, expressed her alarm at learning where her unavoidable plastic waste ended up, fearing that a fire at the facility could release poisonous emissions harmful to nearby residents.20 This case illustrates a potential instance where a recycling program, despite its claims of advanced technology, may have been misleading the public, with recyclable materials being directly disposed of in a landfill, accompanied by significant environmental and safety risks.
  • Indianapolis, Indiana (November 2023): Curbside Recycling Tracked, Highlighting Contamination Issues:
    An investigation by WTHR’s 13 Investigates in Indianapolis sought to determine the actual fate of curbside recycling collected from residents.21 Over a three-month period in November 2023, the investigative team collaborated with local families to track their recycling using GPS tracking devices placed inside plastic bottles.21 They also employed undercover cameras and even a drone to follow the recycling trucks from the curb to their final destination.21 The investigation focused on recycling collected by the two largest waste management companies serving central Indiana: Republic Services and Waste Management.21 For Republic Services, trackers placed in recycling bins from households in northeast Indianapolis and the west side of the city were followed to a large property owned by the company on the northwest side of Indianapolis.21 This facility housed both a materials recovery facility (MRF) for processing recyclables and a transfer station for trash. In both instances, the recycling trucks were observed dumping their entire loads inside the MRF, and GPS data confirmed the trackers’ locations within the facility.21 Undercover cameras captured footage of a front loader moving the dumped materials onto the recycling processing line.21 The signal from one tracker stopped within 20 minutes, likely due to the harsh environment of the MRF’s machinery.21 For Waste Management, a tracker placed in a recycling bin near Brownsburg was followed to a large warehouse in an industrial complex in Indianapolis, identified by the tracker’s location as being inside a large pile of recently dumped material.21 Video footage corroborated the presence of this pile and a front loader moving material to a recycling sorting area. The tracker continued to transmit its location from the same spot for five days before the signal ceased.21 Waste Management confirmed this warehouse as their primary recycling processing center for central Indiana.21 Similarly, a tracker placed in a 13News employee’s recycling bin in Westfield also ended up at the same Indianapolis facility, but its journey included a stop at a WM transfer station in Whitestown before being transported to Indianapolis.21 An unexpected finding occurred with a tracker placed in a recycling bin in Morristown. While the Waste Management truck initially appeared to be heading towards a landfill, it ultimately went to a nearby transfer station, and the recyclable material was later transported to Waste Management’s Indianapolis MRF.21 Overall, the investigation provided evidence that the tracked curbside recyclable materials collected by both Republic Services and Waste Management in central Indiana were indeed transported to their respective recycling processing centers.21 Tours of these facilities revealed the processes of sorting and baling recyclable materials for shipment to other companies that would use them to create new products.21 However, the investigation also highlighted a significant issue of contamination, with a substantial percentage of the materials placed in recycling bins being non-recyclable and therefore likely destined for landfills.21 This suggests that while the initial stages of recycling collection and transportation may be functioning as intended, the presence of non-recyclable items in the bins can still lead to waste ending up in landfills.
  • San Diego County, California (July 2024): Tracking Various Plastic Recyclables:
    In another investigation in San Diego County, California, CBS 8 employed Apple AirTags to track the journey of various types of plastic recyclables.22 The experiment involved placing AirTags inside a water bottle, a yogurt container, an orange juice bottle, and a wipes container. These items were then placed in recycling bins in different areas of San Diego County, utilizing different waste pickup companies.22 The goal was to gain insight into the diverse paths that common household recyclables might take after collection. Representatives from “I Love a Clean San Diego” provided context, explaining that the fate of these recyclables could vary significantly. Some might be processed at local facilities and then sold for reuse, while others could be shipped out of the county to different processing centers, potentially even being sold to foreign countries and transported across the ocean. The organization also acknowledged the possibility that some recyclables might ultimately end up in landfills if they cannot be effectively processed or if markets for the recycled materials are not available.22 This experiment underscores the complexity and uncertainty inherent in the recycling process for consumers. Even within the same geographical area, recyclables collected by different companies might follow vastly different routes, with the possibility of landfill disposal remaining a significant concern for a portion of the collected materials. The lack of a single, transparent pathway highlights the need for better tracking and reporting mechanisms to provide consumers with a clearer understanding of where their recycling actually goes.
  • United Kingdom:
  • London (April 2022): Bloomberg Investigation Traces Tesco’s “Recycled” Plastic to Poland: A Bloomberg Quicktake investigation in April 2022 sought to unravel the journey of plastic waste that consumers diligently deposit in recycling bins at Tesco supermarkets in London.10 Bloomberg reporters placed small GPS trackers inside three used plastic items: a vegetable film, a snack pouch, and a Tesco-branded shopping bag. These items were then placed in public-facing recycling collection bins at various Tesco locations across London.23 The ensuing investigation revealed a complex and multi-stage journey that extended far beyond the borders of the UK.23 The trackers showed the plastic waste being transported to large logistics depots outside of London before being trucked to Harwich International Port.23 From there, the waste was shipped across the North Sea to Rotterdam and then continued its journey eastward through Germany into Poland, eventually ending up near the town of Zielona Gora, approximately 700 miles from London.23 In Zielona Gora, the plastic was traced to a waste processing center owned by the Eurokey Recycling Group, a company identified as a “waste broker” rather than a primary recycler.23 Eurokey’s primary function was to sort the various types of plastic waste it received and then send them on to other contractors or buyers for further processing or disposal.23 Bloomberg reporters who visited the Eurokey warehouse observed large bales of plastic film piled up in a gated yard.23 The mayor of Zielona Gora confirmed that the town receives a substantial and continuous flow of garbage from the UK, noting that the lower cost of waste disposal in Poland compared to countries like the UK or Germany made it an attractive destination for waste entrepreneurs.23 He was, however, unaware of the specific fate of the Tesco plastic once it left the Eurokey facility.23 Further investigation into the destinations of the tracked items revealed that the clear vegetable wrap’s signal was lost within London, near the River Thames.23 The tracker in the snack wrapper led to a factory in East Poland operated by Stella Pack SA, a manufacturer of plastic bags. Stella Pack reported that they sort, melt, and granulate the received waste to produce recycled garbage bags, with any unsuitable plastic being incinerated to generate power for the facility.23 The tracker in the Tesco carrier bag stopped transmitting its location in Zielona Gora. However, subsequent inquiries revealed that an unmarked truck leaving the Eurokey warehouse was traveling east towards one of the largest cement factories in the region. Lafarge SA, a major cement producer, confirmed that their plant near Inowroclaw uses waste, including plastic, as a significant source of fuel, with Eurokey being one of their suppliers through a broker. Lafarge considers this “waste-to-energy” process a sustainable solution due to the high temperatures in their kilns, which they claim destroy even harmful toxins.23 Critics, however, point out that burning plastic still contributes to carbon dioxide emissions.23 Adding to the complexity, two former Eurokey employees in Poland claimed to have witnessed low-quality Tesco plastic being disposed of in landfills, sometimes misclassified as Polish domestic waste, although Eurokey denied these allegations.23 The investigation also revealed that the tracker in the Tesco bag later showed a signal from southern Turkey, in an industrial zone near Adana, approximately 2,000 miles from London. The plastic had been purchased by a recycling company called IMO Plastik, which initially reported that they would attempt to recycle as much as possible, despite the poor quality of the bales received from Europe. Experts expressed doubt about this high recovery claim, and the manager later denied accepting exports, contradicting the tracker data.23 This intricate journey, involving numerous intermediaries and crossing international borders, highlights the significant challenges in ensuring that plastic waste deposited for recycling in the UK is indeed recycled effectively and sustainably, with a considerable portion potentially ending up incinerated or in landfills abroad.
  1. Case Studies: GPS Tracking Uncovers Waste Sent to Illegal Pyrolysis Facilities
  • United Kingdom to India:
  • BBC Investigation (March 2025): Millions of UK Tyres Meant for Recycling Found in Unregulated Pyrolysis Plants in India:
    A comprehensive investigation conducted by BBC’s File on 4 in collaboration with journalism group SourceMaterial in March 2025 uncovered a disturbing practice: millions of end-of-life tyres exported from the United Kingdom to India under the pretense of recycling are instead being incinerated in makeshift and illegal pyrolysis facilities.4 The investigation revealed that the UK produces approximately 50 million waste tyres each year, with nearly half of this volume being shipped abroad, predominantly to India.4 Within the tyre recycling industry, it is reportedly an “open secret” that a significant proportion of these exported tyres do not end up in legitimate recycling facilities.4 The Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) estimates that around 70 percent of imported tyres in India are diverted to unlicensed pyrolysis plants.4 These unregulated facilities typically employ rudimentary batch pyrolysis, a process involving heating tyres to around 500 degrees Celsius in an oxygen-free environment to extract steel, small quantities of oil, and carbon black.4 However, due to the lack of pollution control measures and regulatory oversight, this process releases substantial amounts of toxic gases and hazardous chemicals into the environment.4 The emissions from these illegal operations have been shown to contaminate local water sources, degrade surrounding vegetation, and contribute to severe respiratory conditions among residents living nearby, who report chronic coughs, eye irritation, and difficulty breathing due to prolonged exposure to soot and chemical fumes.4 To track the supply chain of these exported tyres, the BBC, in collaboration with SourceMaterial, strategically placed hidden GPS tracking devices within tyre shipments originating from the UK.4 The data from these trackers unequivocally demonstrated that the tyres reached illegal pyrolysis sites located in remote areas of India, where they were subsequently burned under unsafe conditions, releasing harmful pollutants into the atmosphere.4 The investigation also highlighted a tragic incident in January 2025, when an explosion at one such illegal pyrolysis plant in Wada, near Mumbai, resulted in the deaths of four people, including two children.4 This particular plant was reportedly processing tyres sourced from Europe and lacked even basic safety protocols.4 Following this fatal incident, local authorities shut down seven similar plants in the region.4 However, environmental activists estimate that hundreds of illegal pyrolysis facilities continue to operate across India, exacerbating the country’s air pollution crisis.4 Although the Indian government has officially banned the use of imported tyres in pyrolysis, the investigation revealed that enforcement of this ban has been weak.4 An environmental lawyer interviewed by the BBC estimated that roughly half of the approximately 2,000 pyrolysis plants operating in India are unlicensed, rendering meaningful pollution control nearly impossible.4 This investigation starkly illustrates a significant case of international waste crime, where waste intended for legitimate recycling processes is instead being diverted to illegal and highly polluting facilities, with severe consequences for both the environment and public health in India.
  • UK Parliamentary Debate (April 2025): Discussion on Illegal and Hazardous Processing of Exported Tyres:
    The findings of the BBC investigation into the export of UK waste tyres to India for illegal pyrolysis were further corroborated and discussed during a Westminster Hall debate in the UK Parliament on April 29, 2025.7 Members of Parliament (MPs) convened to address the urgent need for reforms in the management of end-of-life tyres in the UK, with a particular focus on the environmental, health, and economic concerns associated with the export of approximately 350,000 tonnes of used tyres annually to India.7 During the debate, concerns were raised regarding the illegal and hazardous processing of these exported tyres in primitive batch pyrolysis plants in India, where lax environmental enforcement allows for the production of high-sulphur heavy fuel oils and low-grade carbon black, often accompanied by the release of harmful emissions without any filtration.7 Evidence derived from GPS tracking studies was specifically referenced during the debate, consistently demonstrating that tyres exported from the UK were ending up in unregulated facilities, confirming the findings of the BBC investigation.7 MPs highlighted several deficiencies in the UK’s regulatory framework that facilitate this illegal trade, including the classification of end-of-life tyres as “green list waste,” which makes them difficult to track and regulate, and the T8 waste exemption, which allows operators to self-certify without the need for permits, thereby facilitating unregulated exports.7 The debate also touched upon the unused powers granted by the Environment Act 2021, which were intended to enhance the tracking and management of waste exports.7 Tessa Munt MP specifically called for the urgent removal of tyres from the green list, stricter licensing requirements for exporters, and more rigorous enforcement of existing laws.7 The debate also drew attention to the successful legislation implemented in Australia, which requires tyres to be shredded before export, coupled with strict licensing and verification schemes, as a potential model for the UK to emulate.7 This parliamentary discussion underscores the recognition at a policy level of the problem of UK tyre exports ending up in illegal pyrolysis facilities in India, with GPS tracking evidence playing a crucial role in informing this concern and prompting consideration of stronger regulatory measures.
  1. Analysis and Implications

The case studies presented above reveal several concerning patterns in waste management practices across different geographical locations and waste streams. A notable theme is the geographical disparity in the nature of mismanagement. In developed nations like the United States and the United Kingdom, instances of recyclables being sent to landfills are more prevalent, often linked to contamination, economic factors, and the complexities of sorting mixed waste streams. In contrast, the case of tyre exports from the UK to India highlights a scenario where waste is intentionally diverted to illegal and environmentally damaging processing facilities in a developing country, driven by economic incentives and weaker regulatory oversight.4

The types of waste tracked also provide valuable insights. Plastic waste consistently features in cases of recyclables ending up in landfills 17, suggesting inherent challenges in the collection, sorting, and economic viability of recycling various types of plastics. Similarly, end-of-life tyres represent a significant waste stream prone to illegal disposal methods like unregulated pyrolysis.4

The crucial role of investigative journalism in uncovering these instances of waste mismanagement cannot be overstated.4 These investigations, often utilizing GPS tracking as a primary tool, have brought to light practices that might otherwise remain hidden from public scrutiny and regulatory bodies, suggesting potential gaps in official oversight and monitoring mechanisms.

Economic factors appear to play a significant role in driving waste mismanagement. The lower costs associated with landfill disposal compared to the complexities and costs of recycling can incentivize the former, especially when contamination issues arise.17 Similarly, the financial benefits of exporting waste to countries with lower disposal costs and less stringent environmental regulations can motivate the diversion of waste to illegal facilities like the tyre pyrolysis plants in India.4

A recurring theme across the case studies is the presence of regulatory weaknesses and inadequate enforcement that enable these illegal practices to persist. Loopholes in regulations, such as the UK’s classification of tyres as “green list waste” and the T8 waste exemption 7, can be exploited to facilitate the export of waste for improper disposal. Furthermore, even when regulations are in place, as with the ban on imported tyres for pyrolysis in India, weak enforcement can render these regulations ineffective.4

The environmental and health consequences of mismanaged waste are significant. Landfills, while a necessary part of waste management, can contribute to land use issues, generate leachate that can contaminate soil and groundwater, and release greenhouse gases like methane.24 The presence of plastics in landfills poses particular concerns due to their slow degradation and potential to leach harmful chemicals.17 Illegal pyrolysis, as evidenced by the tyre burning in India, results in severe air and water pollution, soil contamination, and significant health problems for local populations, including respiratory illnesses and eye irritation.4 The potential for fires in large piles of plastic waste, as highlighted in the Houston case, further underscores the environmental risks associated with improper waste handling.20

Addressing these issues requires a focus on the regulatory landscape. The UK’s classification of end-of-life tyres as “green list waste” under waste shipment regulations makes it difficult to track their movement and ensure proper disposal.7 This classification contrasts with the environmental and health risks associated with their illegal processing. The T8 waste exemption in the UK further complicates matters by allowing smaller operators to store and process up to 40 tonnes of tyres weekly without requiring a full environmental permit.7 This exemption has been identified as a loophole that less responsible operators can exploit to export baled tyres to countries like India for use in rudimentary batch pyrolysis plants.13 The Australian government’s approach, which involves requiring tyres to be shredded before export and implementing a system of notification and licensing for exporters, offers a potential solution by making it more difficult for whole tyres to be used in illegal pyrolysis plants.7 While India has banned the use of imported tyres for pyrolysis, the weak enforcement of this ban allows hundreds of illegal facilities to continue operating.4

Ultimately, greater transparency and accountability are paramount in the waste management industry.10 The discrepancies revealed by GPS tracking investigations between intended disposal methods and actual outcomes erode public trust in recycling programs and waste management companies.19 The implementation of mandatory digital waste tracking systems, such as the one planned for the UK starting in April 2025 25, holds promise for improving the ability to monitor waste movements and reduce waste crime. Such systems aim to create a centralized database where all waste data is stored, allowing for better tracking from the point of origin to the final destination.25 Technologies like GPS tracking, sensor-equipped bins, and RFID tags can contribute to this enhanced transparency by providing real-time data on the location and status of waste throughout the management process.24

To better understand the scope of waste mismanagement uncovered by GPS tracking, the following table summarizes the key incidents discussed in this report:

 

Location Date (Approx.) Type of Waste Tracked Intended Destination Actual Destination Source (Snippet IDs)
Del Mar, CA June 2024 Plastic Bottle Recycling Center Landfill CBS 8 17
Orange County, CA Ongoing Starbucks Cups Recycling Bins Landfill KCAL Investigates/CBS News 19
Houston, TX Oct 2022 Bagged Plastic Recycling Program Landfill Futurism/Inside Climate News/CBS 20
Indianapolis, IN Nov 2023 Plastic Bottles Recycling Bins Recycling Facilities (but issue of contamination) WTHR 13 Investigates 21
London, UK Apr 2022 Mixed Soft Plastics Recycling Bins Poland (processing, potential landfill/incineration) Bloomberg 10
UK to India Mar 2025 Waste Tyres Legal Recycling Illegal Pyrolysis Plants BBC News, UK Parliament Hansard, Tyre Recovery Association 4

The regulatory landscape plays a crucial role in preventing waste mismanagement. The following table highlights some of the regulatory issues identified in the report and potential solutions:

 

Regulatory Issue Location/Context Evidence (Snippet IDs) Proposed Solution/Example
“Green List” classification of tyres UK Exports to India 7 Reclassification as “hazardous waste” 5
UK T8 Waste Exemption for Tyres UK Exports to India 7 Removal of the exemption 7
Weak enforcement of pyrolysis ban India (imported tyres) 4 Stronger enforcement by Indian authorities 5
Export of whole tyres UK to India 7 Requirement for shredding before export (Australia’s model) 7
Lack of comprehensive waste tracking UK (general) 25 Implementation of mandatory digital waste tracking 25
  1. Conclusion and Recommendations

The findings from the GPS tracking investigations detailed in this report paint a concerning picture of waste management practices. Numerous instances reveal that materials intended for recycling are ending up in landfills, both domestically in the US and internationally in the case of the UK’s plastic waste. Furthermore, the investigation into UK tyre exports to India has exposed a widespread practice of diverting waste intended for recycling to illegal and highly polluting pyrolysis facilities. These revelations underscore the limitations and failures in current waste management systems and highlight the critical role that technologies like GPS tracking play in bringing these issues to light.

To address these systemic problems, several key recommendations emerge. Governments must implement stricter regulations on waste management practices, including more precise definitions of what constitutes “recyclable” and the establishment of robust tracking mechanisms that extend throughout the entire waste management chain. Enhanced enforcement of existing regulations is equally crucial to deter illegal disposal and processing activities, both within national borders and in the context of international waste trade. Specific regulatory loopholes, such as the UK’s T8 waste exemption for tyre exports, must be closed, and international cooperation needs to be strengthened to effectively combat the illegal movement and disposal of waste.

Significant investment in domestic recycling infrastructure is also essential to reduce reliance on waste exports and to ensure that recyclable materials are processed properly and sustainably. This includes supporting the development and adoption of advanced sorting technologies and innovative recycling methods. While traditional pyrolysis in unregulated settings has proven harmful, the potential of advanced pyrolysis technologies in legal and strictly controlled environments for handling certain types of waste should be explored.26

The continued use and expansion of technologies like GPS tracking are vital for improving waste monitoring and detecting instances of mismanagement. Furthermore, the adoption of other technologies such as sensor-equipped bins, RFID tracking, and comprehensive digital waste tracking systems can contribute significantly to enhancing transparency and accountability across the waste management sector.24

In conclusion, the evidence presented in this report underscores the urgent need for comprehensive reforms in waste management practices. The findings from GPS tracking investigations serve as a stark reminder that the intended pathways for waste disposal are not always followed, with potentially serious environmental and health consequences. Policymakers, industry stakeholders, and consumers must work collaboratively to implement stricter regulations, enhance enforcement, invest in sustainable infrastructure, and leverage technology to ensure a more transparent and accountable waste management system that truly protects our environment and public health.

Works cited

  1. Closing the Loop on the World’s Fastest-growing Waste Stream: Electronics | Baker Institute, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.bakerinstitute.org/research/closing-loop-worlds-fastest-growing-waste-stream-electronics
  2. Where does America’s e-waste end up? GPS tracker tells all | PBS News, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/america-e-waste-gps-tracker-tells-all-earthfix
  3. Hidden GPS Trackers Catch E-Waste Recyclers Exporting Toxic Electronics, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://incompliancemag.com/hidden-gps-trackers-catch-e-waste-recyclers/
  4. What links UK tyre exports to India’s toxic air and black market plants …, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.business-standard.com/health/uk-tyre-waste-india-pollution-pyrolysis-health-crisis-125032700522_1.html
  5. INDIA: The world’s dumping ground for waste tyres? – greaterkashmir, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.greaterkashmir.com/national/india-the-worlds-dumping-ground-for-waste-tyres/
  6. India: World’s dumping ground for waste tyres? – greaterkashmir, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.greaterkashmir.com/latest-news/india-worlds-dumping-ground-for-waste-tyres/
  7. 29th April 2025 – UK Parliament Considers Reforms to Strengthen Circular Economy for Tyres – TyreNews.co.uk, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.tyrenews.co.uk/news/parliament-considers-reforms-to-strengthen-circular-economy-for-tyres
  8. GPS Tracking Reveals U.S. E-Waste May Be Exported Illegally – Popular Mechanics, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/a20878/investigators-used-gps-to-track-us-toxic-electronic-waste-exports/
  9. Monitour: Tracking global routes of electronic waste | Request PDF – ResearchGate, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.researchgate.net/publication/321013996_Monitour_Tracking_global_routes_of_electronic_waste
  10. Tracking Devices Reveal Where Recycling Really Goes – YouTube, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmGrI_BVlnc
  11. Monitour: Tracking global routes of electronic waste – MIT Senseable City Lab, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://senseable.mit.edu/papers/pdf/20171206_Lee-etal_Monitour_WasteManagement.pdf
  12. The deployment of electronic tracking devices to detect and prevent waste crime – SEPA, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.sepa.org.uk/media/407037/lsw-b7-waste-flow-tracking-devices-report.pdf
  13. Recycling of Tyres – Hansard – UK Parliament, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2025-04-29/debates/DF1C0690-5CAF-4B76-98FC-49F46D94ED16/RecyclingOfTyres
  14. Westminster Hall Debate in Full | Tyre and Rubber Recycling, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.tyreandrubberrecycling.com/articles/features/regulations-and-legislation/westminster-hall-debate-in-full/
  15. BBC Investigation: Millions of end-of-life tyres exported to illegal pyrolysis facilities, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://resource.co/article/bbc-investigation-millions-end-life-tyres-exported-illegal-pyrolysis-facilities
  16. Waste Management | Asian and Pacific Centre for Transfer of Technology – Apctt, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://apctt.org/vatis_update/waste-management-2
  17. This man put a GPS tracker in his recycling. Here’s where it ended up. – YouTube, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK8mHhVngto
  18. This man put a GPS tracker in his recycling. Here’s where it … – CBS 8, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/working-for-you/man-uses-gps-tracker-to-follow-plastic-recyclables/509-a16b8e3f-0b89-4911-be6d-8445d427d3bb
  19. Tracking where Starbucks single-use cups actually end up when …, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.cbsnews.com/losangeles/news/tracking-where-starbucks-single-use-cups-actually-end-up-when-recycled-kcal-investigations/
  20. Woman Disgusted When She Uses Tracker to See Where Her …, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://futurism.com/the-byte/gps-tracker-plastic-recycling
  21. Is your curbside recycling really being dumped in a landfill? | wthr.com, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.wthr.com/article/news/investigations/13-investigates/13-investigates-we-followed-your-curbside-recycling-with-gps-trackers-drones-and-undercover-cameras-heres-where-it-ended-up/531-e84b1de6-a855-412b-b5d6-194fd76cf803
  22. We used Apple AirTags to GPS track our plastic recycling | cbs8.com, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.cbs8.com/article/news/local/outreach/earth8/gps-tracking-plastic-recycling/509-0233a3d1-64b0-459c-ace9-49841ed75a7c
  23. Bloomberg investigation traces “recycled” plastic from Tesco in …, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://danwilcock.com/2022/04/14/bloomberg-investigation-traces-recycled-plastic-from-tesco-in-london/
  24. The Evolution of Commercial Rubbish Removal in London’s Business Districts, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://junkbunk.co.uk/blog/the-evolution-of-commercial-rubbish-removal-in-londons-business-districts/
  25. Digital Waste Tracking UK: What It Means and More – First Mile, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.thefirstmile.co.uk/the-big-picture/digital-waste-tracking
  26. Clinical Waste Disposal: Methods and Best Practices – The Environmental Blog, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.theenvironmentalblog.org/2025/04/clinical-waste-disposal/
  27. Artificial intelligence for waste management in smart cities: a review – PubMed Central, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10169138/
  28. From waste to steady income – Infrastructure Investor, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.infrastructureinvestor.com/from-waste-to-steady-income/
  29. Digital Waste Tracking Kicked Down the Road – Tyre and Rubber Recycling, accessed on May 13, 2025, https://www.tyreandrubberrecycling.com/articles/news/digital-waste-tracking-kicked-down-the-road/

New Net Zero Housing Policy in Bristol

New Net Zero Housing Policy in Bristol

If you are an architect and or developer you may be aware of that Bristol City Council is working on an emerging local plan, and it is mooted to contain a commitment to Net Zero Housing.

But is this a big deal? And what will change when this policy is implemented?

Clifton Suspension Bridge and the Observatory in Bristol, England

Is New Housing in Bristol Net Zero Now?

It is an interesting time in Bristol at present and this may be one of the last reports we write using core Planning Policies like BCS13 (Climate Change) and BCS14 (Sustainable Energy) of the Core Strategy (2011) require developments to follow an energy hierarchy:

  • minimising energy requirements,
  • incorporating renewable energy sources, and then
  • low-carbon energy sources.

They also expect a certain percentage of carbon dioxide emissions from residual energy use to be offset through renewable energy generation (at least 20% according to some interpretations). So no at present you have to only provide a 20% reduction. . . . . but it is not quite as simple as that.

FEE Fi Fo Fum

Back in 1992 the BRE introduced SAP, and in 2009 we saw the emergence of Fabric Energy Efficiency as a new factor within the SAP model.

FEE or Fabric Energy Efficiency was introduced so as to give a separate value for how energy efficient the building fabric is, this may have been to avoid the use of excessive renewables, in order to make up for a poorly insulated house.

As of SAP 2012 the requirements to meet Target Fabric Energy Efficiency TFEE are getting more onerous. So a typical build in trying to meet TFEE will have a very low operational carbon emission rate, perhaps 15.23kg/m2/year. To all intent and purposes this is a very small amount of carbon to offset with renewal energy on site, at which point you would (in an operational sense) achieved a net zero home.

The Centre, Bristol, looking towards Clare Street

So what will Change when Bristol changes to Net Zero Housing?

The main change will be the consideration of embodied carbon. Up to now in this post we have been considering operational carbon emissions. These are the emissions associated with generating the electricity to run the building.

A typical build with excellent insulation (it has to have that anyway to mett TFEE), a heat pump, and a smattering of solar panels will be carbon neutral, perhaps even slightly negative. So from a operational standpoint very little will change.

But as we have seen in London, and numerous other local authorities  (see LETI) we now must consider embodied (or capital) carbon.

This is not such a huge deal in terms of finding a solution. A build that is slightly carbon negative will pay itself off over its lifetime. But the real kicker is calculating the carbon cost of the build. This will involve some form of lifecycle analysis and this will mean a lot of extra work for Life Cycle COnsultants cuh as ourselves, but is ultimately bad news for anyone submitting a planning application, as it will be an extra cost.

There is also the prospect of having to pay carbon offsets, if you (for example) couldn’t provide renewables. Or were forced to use high carbon construction materials owing to environmental or heritage constraints.

What other Net Zero Housing measures are in the Bristol City Council Emerging Local Plan?

Below is an AI summary from Gemini AI, but we have added commentary in Blue.

Here’s what we know about Bristol’s emerging Local Plan policies for net-zero housing:

Key Principles and Goals:

  • Zero Carbon Housing: The council is developing its Local Plan to require Zero Carbon Housing in new developments. This is a significant step up from previous requirements focused on percentage reductions in carbon emissions.
  • Climate Resilience: Alongside net-zero carbon, the policies aim to ensure new homes are resilient to future climate change impacts, particularly overheating. This includes design considerations for orientation, ventilation, and thermal mass. There are different grades of overheating assessment there are guide method such as cross ventilation, but also calculated method such as TM19. SAP also includes a simple overheating assessment.
    Energy Hierarchy: The policies will likely continue to follow an energy hierarchy, prioritizing:
    Minimizing energy demand through high energy efficiency standards (fabric first approach). Incorporating on-site renewable energy generation. Utilizing low-carbon energy sources, with a preference for connection to district heat networks where available.
  • Whole Life Carbon : There’s a move towards considering the whole life carbon impact of developments, including emissions from construction and materials, although the specifics of targets and offsets are still being developed. – This is the big one. It will add complexity to sustainability reporting. 
    Performance Gap: The council aims to address the “performance gap” by seeking requirements for measured in-use energy consumption to match design performance. – Good idea but how will this be enforced. 
    Monitoring and Transparency: The emerging policies may include requirements for monitoring the energy performance of a percentage of new dwellings in their early years of occupancy and making this information transparent.

Specific Policy Areas Likely to Drive Net-Zero Housing:

  • Energy and Carbon Policies (Likely Policy NZC1 and related): These policies will set the overarching targets for carbon emissions from new buildings, pushing beyond national Building Regulations (Part L). They will likely include specific energy performance standards (e.g., maximum energy use intensity, space heating demand) and requirements for on-site renewables.
  • Heat Decarbonisation Policies: These will promote the use of low-carbon heating systems, prioritizing heat networks (like the Bristol City Leap network) and heat pumps over traditional fossil fuel boilers. New developments in heat network priority areas will likely be required to enable connection. – Already encouraged through SAP. 
  • Sustainable Construction Policies: These policies will address the materials used in construction and may include measures to reduce embodied carbon and promote circular economy principles.
  • Climate Change Adaptation Policies: These will ensure new buildings are designed to cope with the impacts of climate change, particularly overheating, through design and green infrastructure.

Current Status and Next Steps:

The Bristol Local Plan is currently in the examination phase. The final consultation on the publication version of the plan took place between November 2023 and January 2024.
The Plan will be submitted to the Secretary of State for independent examination, which is expected to take at least a year.

The Inspector’s report could be received from Spring 2025 onwards, and if deemed sound, the Full Council might adopt the new Local Plan in Spring/Summer 2025.
In the interim:

The current Bristol Local Plan policies (adopted between 2011 and 2014) still apply, which encourage energy-efficient buildings and on-site renewable energy.

Bristol City Council’s Climate Change and Sustainability Practice Note provides guidance on implementing these existing policies and encourages developers to go beyond the minimum requirements, aligning with the city’s net-zero ambitions.

Therefore, while specific adopted policies for net-zero housing are not yet formally in place, Bristol City Council is actively progressing towards their implementation through the emerging Local Plan, with adoption anticipated around Spring/Summer 2025. Developers need to monitor the progress of the Local Plan examination to understand the precise requirements that will be placed on new residential buildings.

Construction Environmental Management Plan – Pembrokeshire

We have recently authored   Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) for a project in Pembrokeshire, working for the Pembrokeshire National Park Authority. The CEMP is a document outlining the measures and procedures to be implemented during construction to minimize environmental impacts.

Green Bridge of Wales 1 - Pembrokeshire (2010)

Key Aspects of a Construction Environmental Management Plan:

  • Purpose: To ensure that construction activities are carried out in an environmentally responsible manner, minimizing harm to the surrounding environment.
  • Content: A CEMP typically includes:
    • Project Description: Details about the construction project and its location.
    • Environmental Policies and Legislation: Relevant environmental laws, regulations, and organizational policies.
    • Risk Assessment: Identification of potential environmental impacts (e.g., pollution, noise, habitat damage).
    • Mitigation Measures: Specific actions to prevent or reduce environmental impacts.
    • Monitoring and Reporting: Procedures for checking the effectiveness of mitigation measures and reporting any environmental incidents.
    • Roles and Responsibilities: Clearly defined roles for personnel involved in environmental management. THis can be tricky as parties for all stages are often not know.
    • Emergency Procedures: Plans for responding to environmental emergencies.
    • Waste Management: Procedures for handling and disposing of construction waste. Waste mangeplan plan style content.
    • Water Management: Measures to prevent water pollution and manage water usage.
    • Dust and Noise Control: Methods for minimizing dust and noise emissions.
    • Ecological Protection: Measures to protect local wildlife and habitats. THis is an ever expanding topic and we receive input from in house ecologist on this section of the report.
    • Dust Risk Assessment – According to IAQM is also included.
  • Timing: A CEMP is usually developed before construction begins and is implemented throughout the construction phase.

Marloes peninsula, Pembrokeshire coast, Wales, UK

Pembrokeshire Specific Considerations (Based on Search Results):

  • Pembrokeshire Coast National Park: Many projects in Pembrokeshire are located within or near the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, a highly sensitive environmental area. CEMPs in this region will likely have a strong focus on protecting the Park’s special qualities, biodiversity, and landscape. They will need to adhere to the policies of the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s Local Development Plan (LDP2), particularly policies related to conservation, protected sites, and sustainable design.
  • Special Areas of Conservation (SACs) and Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSIs): Projects near or impacting these designated sites (like the West Wales Marine SAC and Newport Cliffs SSSI mentioned in one of the reports) will require detailed mitigation measures outlined in the CEMP to prevent adverse effects. These measures will likely be developed in consultation with Natural Resources Wales.
  • Local Development Plan (LDP): The Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority’s LDP2 contains policies (e.g., Policy 11 on Nationally Protected Sites and Species, Policy 14 on Conservation) that will influence the requirements of a CEMP.
  • Supplementary Planning Guidance (SPG): The National Park Authority also produces SPG on topics like biodiversity and landscape, which may provide further guidance for developing a CEMP.
  • Case-Specific CEMPs: The search results show examples of CEMPs being required as part of specific planning applications (e.g., for the Newport Sands car park redevelopment, a wind farm project, and other developments). These CEMPs are tailored to the specific risks and environmental sensitivities of the project site.
  • Outline CEMPs: For some larger projects (like the Alleston Solar Farm), an outline CEMP (oCEMP) might be submitted with the planning application, with a more detailed version developed later.

If you require a CEMP for a site in Pembrokeshire, you can contact us for a quote (Bristol Office)

Email: swenviro+bristol@gmail.com

This page was partially generated using Gemini AI.

Lux Contour Plan – Eire

We have recently completed a Lux Contour Plan for a large industrial site in Eire (Republic of Ireland). The site extends to around 5 hectares, and contains hundreds of light fittings, some challenges on this job included:

  • Familiarize ourselves with a pre-existing and complicated lighting design.
  • Use a mixture of light fittings.
  • Learn how to use new modelling software.

All in all the work went well, with us delivering slightly ahead of schedule, even given a little extra work at the last minute.

 

Extract from Lux Contour Plan

The new modelling software was quite good in some respects, but not in others:

  • Good – The “print” function opens up a great print setup section which allows for ready scaled drawings split across as many sheets as possible. The plans are very clear.
  • Bad – Despite the print function being very good, there is no easy way to switch between lux contours and the point grid system. You can include both, but not the contours on their own.
  • Ugly – Rather then manually choosing when the model recalculates, the model recalculates every time you insert / edit a light fitting, or edit a calculation surface, this takes around 1 minute every time, so in a model containing 100’s of points this can be a bit annoying, and easily swallow up a few hours of the working day!

Any way compared to our normal software is was very good at printing out lux contour plans, and our current software is absolutely rubbish for this, unless you convert to DWG and print that way.

If you need a Lux Contour plan please contact us, we work for anyone, multi-nationals or joe bloggs, all very welcome.

Application for Discharge of Drainage Condition

Application for Discharge of Drainage Condition

We have recently been engaged to discharge drainage conditions in Wiltshire. The planning approval contains 2no. drainage related conditions that we are applying to remove at the same time.

What does the condition look like?

“No development shall commence on site until a drainage strategy has been submitted
to and approved in writing by the local planning authority. The drainage strategy shall
include, as a minimum, the following information:
– Calculations and drawings for the drainage system design showing designated holding areas and conveyance routes based on no flooding on site for a 1 in 30 year rainfall event.
– Calculations and drawings for the drainage system design showing designated holding areas and conveyance routes based on no flooding on site for a 1 in 100 year plus climate change rainfall event in respect to a building (including basement) or utility plant susceptible to water within the development;
– Calculations which demonstrate that the required 20% betterment against greenfield rates has been achieved for all storm events between the 1 in 1 year and the 1 in 100year return period storm events.
– A clearly labelled drainage layout plan showing the pipe networks and any attenuation ponds. The plan should show any pipe node numbers referred to within the drainage calculations.
– A plan showing the cross sections and design of any attenuation pond and its components”

What is our response to that?

Our response to this will include a custom written report that sets out the requirements step by step, using plans and calculations.

How we can help.

If you need a planning condition related to drainage discharged then please do contact us. We provide a free of charge 15 minute consultation to help understand your requirements. Our reports are kept as simple as possible, and are typically well received.

Flood Defences for Bradford on Tone

Where is Bradford on Tone?

Bradford on Tone is a small settlement on the River Tone. It is situated to the west of Taunton, and has a population of 622.

Where are the Flood Defences?

The below map shows the location of the flood defences (mapping under PMCL No. LAN1001865) :

flood defences bradford on tone

Are the Flood Defences Effective?

To a point. But they are not very good.

The defences are recorded as being in fai to good condition. The southern embankment has a crest level of 31.68mAOD, and this would be overtopped given a 1:20 year flood event. It provide protection against a 1:10 year event just.

These scenarios do not account for climate change that will increase flow volumes in this river by 4.7%.

A 1:100 year event is perhaps more appropriate level of defence, and cities such as London will for the most part have 1:1000 year protection.

1:10 Year Explanation

This last section made with gemini AI

A 1:10 flood event, also known as a 10-year flood, is a flood event that has a 1 in 10 chance (10% probability) of occurring in any given year. It’s important to understand that this does not mean the flood will occur exactly once every 10 years, nor does it guarantee that it won’t happen more frequently.  

Here’s what you need to know about 1:10 flood events:

  • Probability: A 1:10 flood has a 10% chance of occurring in any single year. This means that even if a 1:10 flood happened this year, there’s still a 10% chance it could happen again next year.  
  • Recurrence Interval: The “10-year” part refers to the average recurrence interval, which is the average time between events of a similar magnitude. However, this is just an average, and floods can occur more or less frequently due to natural variations in weather patterns.  
  • Flood Risk: 1:10 floods are considered relatively frequent events. They can cause significant damage to property and infrastructure, and pose a risk to people’s safety. 

How Many Waste Exemptions are Registered in England?

Lots. There are Lots of Waste Exemptions are Registered in England?

There are 416,208 Waste Exemptions Registered in England as of 2024.

What is an Exemption?

A waste exemption in this context is a waste exemption from the Environmental Permitting Regulations. If you meet the requirements of an waste permit exemption then you will not have to undertake an environmental permit application. 

Show me Some Numbers!

OK, here you go . . . . (Summaries if you scroll down to next chapter).

Paragraph Not on a farm On a farm Total
D1               1,276     24,214        25,490
D2                     79           149             228
D3                   175        2,180          2,355
D4                   301        9,121          9,422
D5                   270           406             676
D6                   968        5,050          6,018
D7               6,225     37,746        43,971
D8                     69           274             343
S1               5,617        9,672        15,289
S2             12,009     14,930        26,939
S3                   302     26,935        27,237
T1                   589        6,772          7,361
T10               1,701        2,158          3,859
T11                   606               3             609
T12               1,157           824          1,981
T13                   325           920          1,245
T14                   188        2,530          2,718
T15                   615           507          1,122
T16                   188           223             411
T17                   147           314             461
T18                     80           170             250
T19                   107           324             431
T2                   494           237             731
T20                   210           253             463
T21                   469           253             722
T23               1,666        6,838          8,504
T24                     62           860             922
T25                     90           371             461
T26                   161           403             564
T27                     44           885             929
T28             12,748           349        13,097
T29                     60        1,017          1,077
T30                     79           136             215
T31                     50           115             165
T32                     78        2,452          2,530
T33                     57           218             275
T4               3,482        4,096          7,578
T5               1,868        3,659          5,527
T6               3,469     17,842        21,311
T8                   458           692          1,150
T9               2,590        4,160          6,750
U1             12,599     33,519        46,118
U10                   886     30,654        31,540
U11               1,422        2,647          4,069
U12               2,031        8,851        10,882
U13               1,452     14,791        16,243
U14                   481        8,181          8,662
U15                     79        2,979          3,058
U16                   381           990          1,371
U2                   243        2,278          2,521
U3                   338           540             878
U4               1,397     10,864        12,261
U5                   197        1,294          1,491
U6                   192           436             628
U7                     60           229             289
U8               1,634     21,083        22,717
U9                   722        1,371          2,093

Analysis

Over 2 thirds of these exemptions (330,000) are registered on Farms. (Please note this mean they are registered on a “holding” which may or may not be a working farm).

Roughly one third (164,000) are for the “use” of waste. Such as inert waste being used to build a track.

69,000 Approx are for the storage of waste.

Despite there being a wide variety of “T” class exemptions these only make up around 10% of the registered exemptions.

Roughly equal in there popularity exemptions D7 & U1 are by far the mostly popular. So what are they?

D7 Exemption  (44,000 Registrations)

D7 waste exemption: burning plant and untreated wood waste at place of production
The D7 exemption allows you to burn plant tissue and untreated wood waste from joinery or manufacturing in the open air.

U1 Exemption (46,000 Registrations)

U1 waste exemption: using waste in construction
The U1 exemption allows you to use suitable waste in construction as a waste recovery activity.

 

List of World Currency Codes

List of World Currency Codes

Please find below list of currency codes from around the world.

AED UAE Dirham
AFN Afghani
ALL Lek
AMD Armenian Dram
ANG Netherlands Antillean Guilder
AOA Kwanza
ARS Argentine Peso
AUD Australian Dollar
AWG Aruban Florin
AZN Azerbaijan Manat
BAM Convertible Mark
BBD Barbados Dollar
BDT Taka
BGN Bulgarian Lev
BHD Bahraini Dinar
BIF Burundi Franc
BMD Bermudian Dollar
BND Brunei Dollar
BOB Boliviano
BRL Brazilian Real
BSD Bahamian Dollar
BTN Ngultrum
BYN Belarusian Ruble
BZD Belize Dollar
CAD Canadian Dollar
CDF Congolese Franc
CHF Swiss Franc
CLP Chilean Peso
CNY Yuan Renminbi
COP Colombian Peso
CRC Costa Rican Colon
CUP Cuban Peso
CVE Cabo Verde Escudo
CZK Czech Koruna
DJF Djibouti Franc
DKK Danish Krone
DOP Dominican Peso
DZD Algerian Dinar
EGP Egyptian Pound
ERN Nakfa
ETB Ethiopian Birr
EUR Euro
FJD Fiji Dollar
FKP Falkland Islands Pound
GBP Pound Sterling
GEL Lari
GHS Ghana Cedi
GIP Gibraltar Pound
GMD Dalasi
GNF Guinean Franc
GTQ Quetzal
GYD Guyana Dollar
HKD Hong Kong Dollar
HNL Lempira
HTG Gourde
HUF Forint
IDR Rupiah
ILS New Israeli Sheqel
INR Indian Rupee
IQD Iraqi Dinar
IRR Iranian Rial
ISK Iceland Krona
JMD Jamaican Dollar
JOD Jordanian Dinar
JPY Yen
KES Kenyan Shilling
KGS Som
KHR Riel
KMF Comorian Franc
KRW Won
KWD Kuwaiti Dinar
KYD Cayman Islands Dollar
KZT Tenge
LAK Lao Kip
LBP Lebanese Pound
LKR Sri Lanka Rupee
LRD Liberian Dollar
LSL Loti
LYD Libyan Dinar
MAD Moroccan Dirham
MDL Moldovan Leu
MGA Malagasy Ariary
MKD Denar
MMK Kyat
MNT Tugrik
MOP Pataca
MRU Ouguiya
MUR Mauritius Rupee
MVR Rufiyaa
MWK Malawi Kwacha
MXN Mexican Peso
MYR Malaysian Ringgit
MZN Mozambique Metical
NAD Namibia Dollar
NGN Naira
NIO Cordoba Oro
NOK Norwegian Krone
NPR Nepalese Rupee
NZD New Zealand Dollar
OMR Rial Omani
PAB Balboa
PEN Sol
PHP Philippine Peso
PKR Pakistan Rupee
PLN Zloty
PYG Guarani
QAR Qatari Rial
RON Romanian Leu
RSD Serbian Dinar
RUB Russian Ruble
RWF Rwanda Franc
SAR Saudi Riyal
SBD Solomon Islands Dollar
SCR Seychelles Rupee
SDG Sudanese Pound
SEK Swedish Krona
SGD Singapore Dollar
SHP Saint Helena Pound
SLE Leone
SRD Surinam Dollar
SSP South Sudanese Pound
STN Dobra
SVC El Salvador Colon
SYP Syrian Pound
SZL Lilangeni
THB Baht
TJS Somoni
TMT Turkmenistan New Manat
TND Tunisian Dinar
TOP Pa’anga
TRY Turkish Lira
TTD Trinidad and Tobago Dollar
TWD New Taiwan Dollar
TZS Tanzanian Shilling
UAH Hryvnia
UGX Uganda Shilling
USD US Dollar
UYU Peso Uruguayo
UZS Uzbekistan Sum
VES Bolivar Soberano
VND Dong
VUV Vatu
WST Tala
XAF CFA Franc BEAC
XCD East Caribbean Dollar
XOF CFA Franc BCEAO
XPF CFP Franc
YER Yemeni Rial
ZAR Rand
ZMW Zambian Kwacha
ZWL Zimbabwe Dollar

 

Extreme Weather and a Changing Climate

Extreme Weather and a Changing Climate

Extreme weather events are unfolding with increasing frequency and intensity. From raging wildfires that consume vast swathes of land to devastating floods that displace millions, the fingerprints of climate change are becoming undeniable. These extreme weather events are not isolated incidents; they are a stark reminder of the urgent need for collective action to address the climate crisis.

Image: RCraig09 CC BY-SA 4.0

One of the most visible manifestations of extreme weather is the increase in heatwaves. Prolonged periods of abnormally high temperatures can have devastating consequences for human health, agriculture, and ecosystems. Heatwaves can trigger wildfires, exacerbate drought conditions, and strain energy resources. In recent years, we’ve seen record-breaking heatwaves across the globe, from the Pacific Northwest to Europe and Asia, leading to thousands of deaths and widespread disruption.

Forest Fire Alberta Canada

Image: Cameron Strandberg from Rocky Mountain House, Alberta, Canada, CC BY 2.0

Another alarming trend is the intensification of hurricanes and tropical storms. Warmer ocean temperatures provide more energy for these storms, leading to higher wind speeds, heavier rainfall, and increased storm surge. The devastating impact of hurricanes like Katrina, Harvey, and Maria serve as stark reminders of the destructive power of these storms. Coastal communities are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of hurricanes, facing the risk of flooding, property damage, and displacement.

Extreme rainfall events are also on the rise, leading to more frequent and severe flooding. As the atmosphere warms, it can hold more moisture, resulting in heavier downpours. This can overwhelm drainage systems and cause rivers to overflow, inundating homes, businesses, and critical infrastructure.

Photograph shows a man wearing a blue jacket cycling on a white mountain bike down a flooded Street in England the water is approximately 10 centimeters deep and the bike is being cycled through it the man is looking towards on the left hand side of the picture the shops are a cartridge World shop which likely sells computer ink cartridges and toner cartridges for photocopiers and most of the shops have advertising in the windows and announcing discounts and sales and other promotions above the shops are various types of buildings with two or three additional stories about the chops and the left of the picture there is a cast iron effect street lamp which is approximate the three stories high there's also a white van driving down the road through the flood water the car has a W reg number plate which suggests an age of approximately 25 years old as of 2024

The impacts of extreme weather events are not evenly distributed. Vulnerable populations, such as low-income communities, the elderly, and people with disabilities, are disproportionately affected. These communities often lack the resources to prepare for and recover from extreme weather events, making them more susceptible to the negative consequences.

The link between extreme weather and climate change is clear. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), the leading international body for assessing the science related to climate change, has concluded that human activities are the main driver of observed warming.

The burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, and other human activities release greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, trapping heat and causing the planet to warm.

While the challenges are significant, there is still time to act. Transitioning to a clean energy economy, investing in climate-resilient infrastructure, and protecting and restoring natural ecosystems are crucial steps in mitigating the impacts of climate change. International cooperation and collective action are essential to address this global crisis.