Note: EPA no longer updates this information, but it may be useful as a reference or resource.
Following is the September/October edition of EarthLink, a bi-monthly current awareness newsletter produced by INFOTERRA/USA. EarthLink provides information on international environmental activities, publications and news of interest to EPA staff and other environment professionals.
Sections:
Article: International Cleaner Production
Cooperative
Internet Sites Concerning Cleaner Production
International Environment News
General
Air Pollution
Recycling
Biodiversity
Mining and Sustainable Development
Climate Change
Chemicals
Pollution and Cleanup
Upcoming International Conferences
INFOTERRA Information
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The International Cleaner Production Cooperative
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) is inviting cleaner production networks around the world to join the International Cleaner Production Cooperative. The Cooperative is designed to provide cooperative resource sharing for the rapidly global network of cleaner production and pollution prevention on-line data. It is constructed to facilitate information exchange and technology transfer from industry, as well as national, regional, provincial, and local governments around the world.
The Cooperative is being developed due to the proliferation of Cleaner Production and Pollution Prevention Web sites around the world. Managing this volume of information is proving to be a formidable challenge for researchers. The Cooperative provides a needed information management function by allowing users to visit a single Website that provides access and indexing of multiple sites.
In addition, this site uses a single search engine to retrieve data from those diverse sites and provides users with preselected guided searches and industry-specific material to speed searches.
Features of the Cooperative include:
The Cooperative Homepage provides a quick review of current events and
headlines from member sites that is designed to be dynamic and updated
periodically to reflect noteworthy events and announcements. It also provides
a search option that offers experienced users the ability to quickly search
and access the vast amount of information within the cooperative.
The Members Page provides a current list of all participating organizations
and Web sites. A regional listing allows users to select and search a
member site within a particular region. A user may also link to any Member
site directly.
The Topics Page is designed to provide users with the option to search preselected topics and an industry-specific search function. Sample topics include International Conventions, ISO 14000, Benchmarking/Reporting, Contacts/Experts List, and Economics/Life Cycle Analysis.
The Search Page enables users to search all of the member sites simultaneously using the Cooperative's search engine. This eliminates the need to enter and exit each individual site and compare search results. It also eliminates the need to make dozens of bookmarks or to learn numerous different search engines. Search results on an industry-sector specific topic, for example, might result in both highly technical case-studies and country-specific policy options.
Cooperative members continue to own, update, and manage their own sites. The Cooperative provides increased visibility and user access to member sites. Standards for the Cooperative will be developed and maintained by regional working groups around the world.
Several associated activities are also available through the cooperative. For example, training for Cleaner Production Roundtables and other important users on the use of the Internet and the Cooperatives to obtain cleaner production information will be provided. Users may fund Cooperative Agent Accounts that automatically notify them when new information is added to the Cooperative that matches their specific search criteria. Assistance in the design and development of cleaner production web sites, as well as storage space for hosting web content are other services which can be provided through the Cooperative.
For more information on the Cooperative, or how to become a member, contact
USEPA's Senior International Information Officer, Mark Kasman, by email
at: kasman.mark@epa.gov. The Cooperative
website may be accessed at: http://es.epa.gov/cooperative/international/
. 
INTERNET SITES CONCERNING CLEANER PRODUCTION
1. Environment Australia's Cleaner Production Case Studies Directory
http://www.ea.gov.au/index.html
The Cleaner Production Case Studies Directory details mechanisms for improving environmental and economic efficiency in industry. Each case study provides information on particular sites including the initial problem, how it was solved using cleaner production approaches and the economic costs and benefits. Searchable by industry, location, or keyword.
2. EPA's National Center for Clean Industrial and Treatment Technologies
(CenCITT)
http://es.epa.gov/ncerqa/cencitt/cencitt.html
CenCITT is a research consortium dedicated to advancing science, engineering,
and pollution prevention. CenCITT's mission is to assist industry in pollution
prevention by devising clean technologies and process design tools, and
by pursing promising leads in treatment, beneficiation, and reuse where
prevention is not feasible. CenCITT's goal is to help create industrial
facilities in which waste is minimized through economically sound, combined
optimization of manufacturing processes, treatment operations and reuse.
CenCITT has strategic alliances with the Center for Waste Reduction Technologies
(CWRT) of the American Institute of Chemical Engineers and the National
Center for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS).
3. National Pollution Prevention Roundtable
http://www.p2.org/
The National Pollution Prevention Roundtable is the largest membership
organization in the United States devoted solely to pollution prevention
(P2). The mission of the Roundtable is to provide a national forum for
promoting the development, implementation, and evaluation of efforts to
avoid, eliminate, or reduce pollution at the source.
4. Cleaner Production: A Guide to Information Sources (European Environment
Agency)
http://www.eea.eu.int/
The primary objective of this guide has been to increase accessibility
to the cleaner production concept and information sources in this new
and still dynamic area. The Guide covers the history of cleaner production,
describes the cleaner production concept, strategies and implementation.
The report also contains a comprehensive overview of cleaner production
sources, such as environment legislation and policy measures, organizations,
cleaner production initiatives and other information sources. The web-version
of the report is supplemented with a downloadable Access database.
INTERNATIONAL ENVIRONMENT NEWS
General
Announcement: The Fourth Session of the Conference of the
Parties (COP4), UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC)
is taking place in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with delegates from over 166
countries attending. The Conference will be held from November 2-13, 1998.
For more information, you may visit the COP4 website at: http://www.unfccc.de/
Announcement: The 8th INFOTERRA Advisory Meeting will be taking place November 16-18, 1998 in Washington, DC, USA. The theme of the meeting is "Public Right-to-Know." Representatives will be coming from UNEP as well as seven countries for the meeting.
Announcement: Discovering Children's Views on the Environment Through Global Painting Contest. Sponsored by the UN Environment Programme (UNEP). The annual international contest of children's paintings on the environment has been launched by its organizers, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Foundation for Global Peace and Environment (FGPE) in Japan. The contest, which will run from September to December 1998, is open to all children between the ages of 6 and 15 years and is expected to attract entries from all regions of the world. With the theme "Preserve the Beautiful Oceans, Skies and Forests for the Twenty-First Century," this is the eighth painting contest of its kind. Through this contest, the organizers hope to enhance the importance of the environment among children by providing them with an opportunity to express, through paintings, their views on environmental issues, and also to promote their creativity in caring for the environment.
For information on entering the contest, please contact: Ms. Tomoko Yano,
FGPE Secretary-General, 401 Howamita Tsunazaka Bldg, 2-2-7, Mita, Minato-ku,
Tokyo 108, Japan, Tel: 81-3-54423161; Fax: 81-3-54423431, E-mail: fgpe@mxj.mesh.ne.jp
or Mr. Theodore Oben, UNEP Children and Youth Focal Point, UNEP Headquarters,
P.O. Box 30552, Nairobi, Kenya, Tel: 254 2 623262, Fax: 254 2 623692;
Email: theodore.oben@unep.org;
Hogue, Cheryl. "Treaty on Prior Informed Consent Signed by 57 Countries
at Rotterdam Meeting," International Environment Reporter, Vol.
21, No. 19, September 1, 1998: 893.
Representatives from 57 nations met in Rotterdam on September 11th,
and signed a treaty aimed at controlling trade involving certain hazardous
industrial chemicals and pesticides. The Rotterdam Convention, as the
treaty is known, stipulates that a nation importing a chemical that is
banned or severely restricted in the exporting country must give its "prior
informed consent" before the substance is shipped. The treaty will be
legally binding once it is ratified by 50 signatories, however countries
agreed to abide by it's provisions on a voluntary basis while it is being
ratified. Under the agreement, a chemical review committee will be formed
to recommend other substances that should be included in the Convention.
Many officials consider it a major achievement, while others, while acknowledging
that it is a step in the right direction, feel that much more needs to
be done.
"Technology and Business: Trade Rules," Scientific American 279,
no.2 (August 1998): 33-34.
The World Trade Organization (WTO) decision that a US law barring the
import of shrimp caught in nets which trap sea turtles was a "barrier
to trade" raises questions about the reconciliation of economics and the
environment. The problem lies in the need to decide between maintaining
a free trade environment in the interest of a strong global economy and
placing import limitations on products based on methods of production.
"...It is a muddy legal area where the WTO and CITES--as well as other
environmental treaties--intersect that concerns environmentalists. CITES
prohibits the trade of endangered species; the WTO prohibits barriers
to trade such as objections to processing and production methods. What
should happen when a production method threatens an endangered species?"
The WTO offers only ambiguity on this point.
Hong, Sungmin, et.al. "Heavy Metals in Antarctic Ice from Law Dome: Initial
Results," Environmental Research 78, no. 2 (August 1998): 94-103.
Pb, Cd, Cu and Zn have been measured using ultraclean procedures in eight
sections taken from two well-dated ice cores from Law Dome, an independent
small size ice cap with a high accumulation rate situated in the coastal
area of East Antarctica. Scientists evaluated the contributions from sea
salt spray and marine biogenic emissions. The importance of marine contributions
is consistent with strong intrusions of marine air masses at this coastal
site, especially during the wintertime.
Coco, Kristine. "Financing: World Bank Provides Over $900 Million for
Environmental Projects Worldwide." International Environment Reporter,
30 September 1998: 986-7.
According to the World Bank's annual report, it has committed $902.1 million
to environmental projects worldwide for fiscal year 1998. "One of the
World Bank's targets is to reverse current global and national loss of
environment resources by 2015, according to its report." The annual report
also outlines ongoing environmental projects of the World Bank. The Bank's
International Finance Corporation, which lends to private interests as
opposed to governments, has not significantly changed its policies according
to the article. The World Bank Annual Report 1998 can be obtained by calling
World Bank Publications at (703) 661-1580, by faxing an order to (703)
661-1501, or by mailing a request to World Bank Publications, P.O. Box
960, Herndon, VA 20172-0960 USA. The Report will be available soon on
the World Wide Web at http://www.worldbank.org
.
"Far-reaching Work On a Strategy," Acid News 2 (June 1998): 5-7.
The European Commission is developing a strategy for lowering concentrations
of ground-level ozone. These concentrations are so high, they effect vegetation
and human health. The Commission published a study which addresses how
emissions and ozone exposure would be effected in different situations.
Recycling
"Recycling: Company in U.K. Launches Mass-Market Program to Recycle Personal
Computers." International Environment Reporter, 5 August 1998:
789.
ICl, the British-based computer company owned by Fujitsu of Japan, has
started a program they call STAR (Second Time Around) for recycling computers.
They plan to reconditioning any brand of unwanted computers and selling
them at cut-rate prices for small businesses and home use. STAR's business
manager, Mike Perry, said they want to recycle "end-of-life equipment"
whenever possible in anticipation of the upcoming European Commissions
electronics waste directive. More information can be obtained from ICL's
Web site at: http://www.icl.com
or Mike Perry, ICL Multivendor Computing Division. Phone: + 44-192-5-435041;
Email: mike.perry@iclmc.com.
Biodiversity
Miller, A.I., "Biotic Transitions in Global Marine Diversity," Science
281, no.5380 (21 August 1998): 1157-1160.
"Long-term transitions in the composition of the Earth's marine biota
during the Phanerozoic have historically been explained in two different
ways. One view is that they were mediated through biotic interactions
among organisms played out over geologic time. The other is that mass
extinctions transcended any such interactions and governed diversity over
the long term by resetting the relative diversities of higher taxa. However,
a growing body of evidence suggests that macroevolutionary processes effecting
biotic transitions during background times were not fundamentally different
from those operating during mass extinctions. Physical perturbations at
many geographic scales combined to produce the long-term trajectory of
Phanerozoic diversity."
Bosch, Xavier. "Spain Lets Latin America 'Repay' Debts by Protecting
Environment." Nature, Vol. 395 (17 September 1998): 210.
Spain has agreed to a US$70million "debt for nature" exchange to aid biodiversity
conservation in Latin America. Countries that owe large amounts of money
to Spain will be allowed to use the money instead for protection and amelioration
of their environments. The project, called Araucaria, starts in October
1998 and will last five years. It will support the development of communities
living near important ecosystems, and will be carried out using Spanish
technology and equipment. "Araucaria will lead to concrete links between
economic issues and those concerning the conservation of the natural environment,"
says Alvaro Rengifo, head of the Spanish Department of Foreign Investments.
Many experts see this type of agreement as a strategy that can help preserve
one of the Earth's most important regions of biodiversity.
Brown, Lester R., and Brian Halweil. "China's Water Shortage Could Shake
World Food Security." World Watch, Vol. 11, No. 4 (July/August
1998): 10-21.
The water supply for China's farmers has dropped abruptly and unexpectedly,
creating the possibility that rising imports of grain into China could
lead to higher world grain prices. The extremely poor who are most vulnerable
in the Third World would be unable to afford such a jump in grain prices,
and would likely face starvation in that scenario. Because of China's
trade surplus, it is able to afford to import grain without a problem.
However, this potential import of grain could create shortage on the world
market, and therefore cause prices to soar. This would mean almost certain
hardship for the 1.3 billion people of the world who live on $1 or less
per day. The more impoverished countries of the world would be unable
to pay the higher grain prices, and their populations could starve. This
article includes a breakdown of studies preformed on this problem, as
well as a basin-by-basin review of China's water supplies. There are also
predictions for 35 years in the future for China's grain and water supplies,
and suggestions for possible restructuring of China's water economy.
Mining and Sustainable Development
Carbon, Barry, "Sustainable Development and the Evolving Agenda for Environmental
Protection in the Mining Industry," Industry and Environment 20,
no.4 (December 1997): 10-13.
Implementing any conceivable principle of environmental protection requires
appropriate government and industry structures. This article outlines
structures relevant to the mining industry. Despite improved performance,
the mining industry needs to take further steps to fully embrace the concept
of sustainable development.
Climate Change
Brauer, Michael and Jamal Hisham-Hashim. "Fires in Indonesia: Crisis
and Reaction," Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 32,
No. 17, September 1, 1998: 404A.
The 1997 fires which burned in Indonesia contributed to one of the most
catastrophic environmental disasters of this century. The fires and resulting
air pollution affected the health of millions, and created a months-long,
wide-spread air pollution episode. Faced with wide-spread concern that
these events could be repeated, a Regional Haze Action Plan was developed
during the first Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meeting
on haze, held in Singapore in December, 1997. Forecasting future El Niño
events and predicting air pollution episodes are major components of the
Plan. It calls for the strengthening of the ASEAN Specialized Meteorological
Centre, which will serve as a serve as a regional center for the compilation
and dissemination of meteorological and air quality data. Additionally,
Malaysia and Indonesia signed a joint disaster and relief effort agreement.
The Plan also requires each ASEAN country to develop national plans to
prevent and mitigate future fires, and develop an inventory of fire-fighting
capabilities. An ASEAN Research and Training Centre for Land and Forest
Fire Management was also established.
Schmidt, Karen. "Coming to Grips with the World's Greenhouse Gases,"
Science, Vol. 32, No. 12, June 15, 1998: 1747.
Scientists are only now beginning to understand the complexity of the
Earth's capacity (particularly its oceans and forests) to absorb greenhouse
gases. A global network of monitoring stations to track the flux of carbon
dioxide between land and air is currently being set up, and the data collected
could assist in determining if nations are adhering to the Kyoto Protocol.
In 2 years, a pilot project that involves pumping carbon dioxide into
the Pacific Ocean will be undertaken to determine if this is a viable
way to reduce greenhouse gases. The article discusses the calculating
of forest carbon stocks, and how this data may be used in determining
what nations are meeting their emission reduction goals, and also discusses
the problems involved.
"Climate Change: Association for Making Emission Trades Proposed by U.N.
Group, Earth Council." International Environment Reporter, 30 September
1998: 959.
The United Nations group and the Earth Council are proposing a marketplace
for trading greenhouse gas allowances, called the International Emissions
Trading Association. Earth Council Chairman Maurice Strong said in a letter,
"The association could become one of the main informal markets for greenhouse
gas emissions trading until the formal market agreed [to] at Kyoto comes
into existence."
Gaffen, Dian J. "Falling Satellites, Rising Temperatures?" Nature,
Vol. 394 (13 August 1998): 615-616.
Satellite-based estimates of trends in atmospheric temperature have disagreed
with estimates derived from other measurements. By taking into account
declines in the orbital height of satellites, re-examination of those
satellite data yields results that are more in accord with independent
evidence of global warming. The author argues that current data and tracking
systems are not sophisticated enough for the types of conclusions being
drawn from the data.
Chemicals
Renner, Rebecca. "International POPs Treaty Faces Implementation Hurdles,"
Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 32, No. 17, September
1, 1998, 394A.
Representatives from 92 countries met in July, 1998 and agreed to take
action on twelve persistent organic pollutants (POPs) by the year 2000.
But two issues remain: devising a way to add more POPs to the list, and
providing the necessary technical and financial aid to implement the treaty.
Scientists and policy makers who are members of the Criteria Expert Group
(CEG) are charged with developing procedures to expand the number of chemicals
included in the treaty's scope (the current number is 12). The CEG's mission
involves evaluating substances that are already known, or those suspected
of being hazardous, and will also focus on how to include socioeconomic
considerations into the recommendations. Certain criteria must be included
in any assessment of potential additions to the list. The negotiations
which led to the 12 POPs initially listed raised some issues related to
implementation of an international ban or phaseout of the chemicals, including
finding acceptable pesticide alternatives, determining inventories of
PCBs, and formulating methods to limit emissions of dioxin and furan.
Renner, Rebecca, "'Natural' Remediation of DDT, PCBs Debated," Environmental
Science & Technology, Vol. 32, no. 15 (1 August 1998): 360A-363A.
Some researchers are claiming evidence that persistent organic pollutants
degrade naturally. This claim has intensified the controversy surrounding
the process. On one hand, parties responsible for the cleanup of land
contaminated with DDT view the findings as good news. On the other hand,
"others believe that the findings are preliminary and largely irrelevant."
This disagreement has implications for remediation activities of DDT contaminated
sites.
Pollution and Cleanup
Pelley, Janet. "Is Coastal Eutrophication Out of Control?" Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 32, No. 19, October 1, 1998: 462A.
Eutrophication has become a serious threat to coastal ecosystems and poses a problem that is global in scope. Water bodies are increasingly threatened as nutrient levels rise, and lead to increased production of organic matter. This organic matter results in low levels of dissolved oxygen, which kills marine life. Nonpoint source pollution is a major cause and is difficult to manage. Nitrogen inputs to water are caused primarily by fertilizer use, air disposition, and sewage, and worldwide production of nitrogen is expected to continue to grow rapidly. New knowledge has been gained, but much still needs to be learned about the mechanisms of coastal eutrophication. Governments are struggling to find viable solutions to control, and if possible, to prevent impacts.
"No Exceptions for Cleanup in Former Eastern Block," Environmental Science & Technology, Vol. 32, No. 19, October 1, 1998: 448A.
Central and Eastern Europe countries applying for membership in the European Union (EU)must make concrete environmental standard improvements, and adapt national standards to EU levels. EU ministers estimated that these environmental improvements would cost about $130 billion for the five applicants (the Czech Republic, Poland, Estonia, Hungary and Slovenia) and the EU will contribute about $1.2 billion per year after 2000 to help applicant countries bring their standards up to EU standards. However, Slovenian environment minister Pavel Ganter believes it will cost his country nearly $3 billion to implement EU environmental directives and feels that there must be a "transition period."
Favoino, Enzo and Raffaella Ragazzi. "Organic Waste Treatment: Italian
Organic Recovery Systems: Strategies and Outcome." Warmer Bulletin,
September 1998, no. 62: 8-11.
"With a European landfill directive set to be in place before the end
of the year, attention continues to focus on the substantial benefits
of increasing diversion of organic materials from landfills." This article
outlines the different composting levels and technologies and different
composting approaches. It also describes the current situation in Italy,
including garden waste collection and kitchen waste collection systems.
UPCOMING INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCES
Notices regarding the following international conferences have been sent to INFOTERRA during the last few months. Notification is received through the mail and over the Internet. The list below is not comprehensive; INFOTERRA maintains a fairly large file of conference announcements. If you have any questions about the conferences listed below, or would like to consult our conferences file, please contact the INFOTERRA office (202) 566-0544 or send an email request to: library-infoterra@epa.gov.
1) PACEM IN MARIBUS XXVI
29th November - 3rd December, 1998
Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
http://www.dal.ca/ioihfx/
Pacem in Maribus (Peace in the Oceans) is the annual conference of the
International Ocean Institute. As the International Year of the Ocean
comes to a close, Pacem in Maribus XXVI will provide a forum for examining
"The Crisis of Knowledge: New Directions for Learning and Informed Decision-Making
for Oceans and Coasts." The conference is open to anyone interested in
the use of ocean space and its resources: members of the academic community,
private and public sectors, and international or non-governmental organizations.
Contact: International Ocean Institute, Dalhousie University, 1226 LeMarchant
Street, Halifax, Nova Scotia, B3H 3P7, Canada. Phone: (902) 494-1737;
Fax: (902) 494-2034; Email: ioihfx@dal.ca.
2) 5th International Interdisciplinary Conference on the
Environment
Best Western Hotel, Baltimore, Maryland
June 23-26, 1999
http://www.assumption.edu/HTML/Academic/conf/IICEcall.html
The conference is motivated by the increasing need to combine ideas and
research findings from different disciplines to enhance our understanding
of the interactions between the natural environment and human institutions.
Conference presentations are aimed at the educated layperson and focus
on: What disciplines have to offer with respect to understanding environmental
and resource problems; What solutions are available; What are the implications
of the globalization of environmental concerns. For further information,
please contact: Interdisciplinary Environmental Association (IEA), c/o
Kevin L. Hickey & Demetri Kantarelis, Conference Co-Chairs, Economics/Foreign
Affairs Department, Assumption College, 500 Salisbury Street, P.O.Box
15005, Worcester, MA 01615-0005 USA. Phone: K.L. Hickey (508) 767-7296;
FAX: (508) 767-7382; Email: khickey@assumption.edu
or dkantar@assumption.edu
3) 1999 Open Meeting of the Human Dimensions of
Global Environmental Change Research Community
Shonan Village, Kanagawa, Japan
June 24-26, 1999
http://www.iges.or.jp/
An increasing number of researchers are interested in the human causes
and impacts of global environmental change, as well as recognizing that
local and regional scales are critical for their studies. The 1999 Open
Meeting aims to promote exchanges of information on current research and
teaching and to encourage networking and community building in this emerging
field. For further information, including instructions for the submission
of abstracts contact: Email: hdgec@iges.or.jp;
FAX: +81 468 55 3709. '99 Open Meeting Secretariat, IGES at Shonan Village
Center,1560-39, Kami- yamaguchi, Hayama, Kanagawa 240-0198, Japan.
4) 4th Annual International Wildlife Law Conference
American University School of Law, Washington, DC.
March 20, 1999
The conference focuses on the effectiveness of wildlife treaties and national
legislation in protecting endangered species of fauna and flora. The three
panels for the 1999 conference will be: International legal efforts to
conserve tigers; The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species
and the conservation of flora species; Case studies of implementation
of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species at the
national level. Contact: Email: JIWLP@earthling.net;
FAX (Journal of International Wildlife Law & Policy): (510) 452-9266.
5) Urban Planning & Environmental Management: Third International
Symposium
Pretoria, South Africa
5-9 April 1999
"A Better Environment for future generations," Environmental Quality and
Development Needs: Planning Opportunity or Threat. The workshop deliberations
will revolve around the twin issues of meeting development needs and enhancing
environmental quality. Programme includes paper presentations, keynote
speeches, exhibitions, competitions, technical tours, pre- and post-symposium
tours, and more. Contact: UPE 3-PTA Symposium Organiser, Room 622, P.O.
Box 6338, Pretoria 0001, Republic of South Africa. Phone: (2712) 337-4167
or 337-4172; Fax: (2712) 337-4158 or 337-4340 or 324-6665; Email: hneethl@gpmc.org.za
or mvermaak@gpmc.ac.za
6) II International Symposium on Anaerobic Digestion of Solid Waste
(II ISAD-SW)
Barcelona, Spain
15-18 June, 1999
http://www.II-ISAD-SW.ub.es
Sponsored by the International Association on Water Quality (IAWQ). Since
the First International Symposium on Anaerobic Digestion of Solid Waste
(ISAD SW'92) took place in 1992, there have been many changes in the technology
and methods used in anaerobic digestion of solid waste. Although the symposium
is addressed to 'solid' organic wastes in general, the organic fraction
of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) is the most relevant. Many landfills are
due to close and there is a significant increase of separate collection
of MSW. These organic wastes need to be treated by biological methods,
in order to recycle a maximum of its components. Composting and Anaerobic
Digestion are the most appropriate technologies. A session discussing
when these technologies are best applied, together with its advantages
and drawbacks is foreseen. Other organic wastes, such as agro-industrial
solid and liquid sludges are also present in this evolved scenario, offering
opportunities for an integrated treatment approach. Contact: II-ISAD-SW,
Apdo. Correos 30124, E-08080 Barcelona, Spain. Phone: (34) 929 920 591;
Fax: (34) 919 751 180; Email: congres@waste.qui.ub.es
or Prof. Joan Mata-Alvarez, Dep. Chemical Engineering, Martí i
Franquès 1, Plta. 6, E-08028 Barcelona, Spain. Phone: (34) 934
021 305; Fax: (34) 934 021 291; Email: mata@mafalda.qui.ub.es.
