Business as usual?
4 Oct 2007
UK industry sites are releasing fewer air pollutants but greenhouse-gas and waste-production levels are creeping up. Tim Tunbridge reports
The environmental performance of businesses in England and Wales is not improving as much as might be expected, despite the best efforts of the Environment Agency. Greenhouse gas levels are creeping up, over 40% more waste was produced last year compared with 2000, and waste recovery fell compared with 2005.
According to EA chief executive Barbara Young, the agency needs new powers to directly impose monetary and other more flexible penalties on companies that damage the environment.
A recent EA survey showed that only 8% of businesses think they have a significant impact on the environment. "A worrying sign," commented Young. "Business as usual just won't do."
Levels of greenhouse gases had decreased 16.8% since 1990, but rose slightly in 2006. A worrying trend, according to the agency, which says emissions trading must step up a gear as the EU scheme is not driving greenhouse gases down fast enough.
More industries are now reporting to the EA, and the sectors it regulates now account for over 34% of all the UK's greenhouse gases.
The EA acknowledges that many industries are trying hard to reduce their waste and achieve better waste recovery, but many more, it says, need to address the issue. In addition to the 40% increase that has occurred since 2000 - although changes in regulations do mean more companies now have to report their waste levels - the proportion of waste recovered for further use fell by 8% compared with 2005.
On the positive side, since 2000 the sites regulated by the EA have reduced releases of most air pollutants, including lead by 41% and sulphur dioxide by 50%. Worryingly, nitrogen oxides emissions remain unchanged.
The chemical industry will enjoy its review by the EA, carried in its annual Spotlight report. Over 80% of chemical sites had an A or B rating for their operator performance, with the A level rising from 42% in 2005 to 48% last year. And greenhouse gas emissions were down 9% over the 12 months.
"I am delighted that the chemical industry's work and investment is paying off in significant improvements in reduced emissions," said Chemical Industries Association chief executive Steve Elliott. "We are also encouraged that we are performing better on environmental management systems and in reductions of permit breaches."
Despite Elliott's positive stance, the chemical sector seriously breached its permit conditions 14 times in 2006, more than double the six breaches recorded in 2005. It also caused 12 pollution incidents. Seven businesses were fined £5,000 or more for environmental offences, primarily because of water pollution.
The environmental performance of food and drink sites is improving, although permit conditions were breached 34 times. The sites contribute only 1% of all greenhouse gases, but are the third-highest producers of waste that is transferred off-site with a total of 3.4 million tonnes. Of this waste, 68% was recovered.
Operator performance in the F&B sector improved in 2006, the proportion of sites ranked in the highest band increasing from 30% to 36%. However, the number of sites ranked at the lowest environmental performance level increased to 10.
The EA report listed the poorest performers as including: MPP Holdings Ltd (Bury St Edmunds), Moy Park Ltd (Ashbourne), Cott Beverages (Pontefract), Cott UK Ltd (Kegworth), Meadow Foods Ltd (Marlston-cum-Lache), Cavaghan & Gray Ltd (Carlisle) and Princes Ltd (Manchester).
The water sector caused the highest number of serious pollution incidents of all industrial sectors in 2006, with Yorkshire Water, Northumbrian Water and Wessex Water all showing an increase on 2005. Deficiencies in sewerage infrastructure and service water outfalls were responsible for 72% of the serious pollution incidents.
The water industry needs better long-term, integrated planning for its sewerage infrastructure and better operational management, said the EA, "if it is to react to the impacts of increased development and climate change without harming the environment."
Total fines over £5,000 imposed on the water industry were up 75% in 2006, at £623,000. Thames Water heads the list with £191,600 from 15 separate prosecutions.
There was a 9% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the paper and pulp industry, with the volume of waste transferred off-site also down 9%. The sector recovered more than three-quarters of its own waste in 2006.
Some 52% of P&P sites were rated band A for operator environmental performance, although three were assessed no better then E. There were just two serious breaches of permit conditions, down from six in 2005.
According to EA chief executive Barbara Young, the agency needs new powers to directly impose monetary and other more flexible penalties on companies that damage the environment.
A recent EA survey showed that only 8% of businesses think they have a significant impact on the environment. "A worrying sign," commented Young. "Business as usual just won't do."
Levels of greenhouse gases had decreased 16.8% since 1990, but rose slightly in 2006. A worrying trend, according to the agency, which says emissions trading must step up a gear as the EU scheme is not driving greenhouse gases down fast enough.
More industries are now reporting to the EA, and the sectors it regulates now account for over 34% of all the UK's greenhouse gases.
The EA acknowledges that many industries are trying hard to reduce their waste and achieve better waste recovery, but many more, it says, need to address the issue. In addition to the 40% increase that has occurred since 2000 - although changes in regulations do mean more companies now have to report their waste levels - the proportion of waste recovered for further use fell by 8% compared with 2005.
On the positive side, since 2000 the sites regulated by the EA have reduced releases of most air pollutants, including lead by 41% and sulphur dioxide by 50%. Worryingly, nitrogen oxides emissions remain unchanged.
The chemical industry will enjoy its review by the EA, carried in its annual Spotlight report. Over 80% of chemical sites had an A or B rating for their operator performance, with the A level rising from 42% in 2005 to 48% last year. And greenhouse gas emissions were down 9% over the 12 months.
"I am delighted that the chemical industry's work and investment is paying off in significant improvements in reduced emissions," said Chemical Industries Association chief executive Steve Elliott. "We are also encouraged that we are performing better on environmental management systems and in reductions of permit breaches."
Despite Elliott's positive stance, the chemical sector seriously breached its permit conditions 14 times in 2006, more than double the six breaches recorded in 2005. It also caused 12 pollution incidents. Seven businesses were fined £5,000 or more for environmental offences, primarily because of water pollution.
The environmental performance of food and drink sites is improving, although permit conditions were breached 34 times. The sites contribute only 1% of all greenhouse gases, but are the third-highest producers of waste that is transferred off-site with a total of 3.4 million tonnes. Of this waste, 68% was recovered.
Operator performance in the F&B sector improved in 2006, the proportion of sites ranked in the highest band increasing from 30% to 36%. However, the number of sites ranked at the lowest environmental performance level increased to 10.
The EA report listed the poorest performers as including: MPP Holdings Ltd (Bury St Edmunds), Moy Park Ltd (Ashbourne), Cott Beverages (Pontefract), Cott UK Ltd (Kegworth), Meadow Foods Ltd (Marlston-cum-Lache), Cavaghan & Gray Ltd (Carlisle) and Princes Ltd (Manchester).
The water sector caused the highest number of serious pollution incidents of all industrial sectors in 2006, with Yorkshire Water, Northumbrian Water and Wessex Water all showing an increase on 2005. Deficiencies in sewerage infrastructure and service water outfalls were responsible for 72% of the serious pollution incidents.
The water industry needs better long-term, integrated planning for its sewerage infrastructure and better operational management, said the EA, "if it is to react to the impacts of increased development and climate change without harming the environment."
Total fines over £5,000 imposed on the water industry were up 75% in 2006, at £623,000. Thames Water heads the list with £191,600 from 15 separate prosecutions.
There was a 9% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from the paper and pulp industry, with the volume of waste transferred off-site also down 9%. The sector recovered more than three-quarters of its own waste in 2006.
Some 52% of P&P sites were rated band A for operator environmental performance, although three were assessed no better then E. There were just two serious breaches of permit conditions, down from six in 2005.
