Guernsey Waste Strategy – Options Evaluation Criteria

September 8th, 2010 by States of Guernsey Public Services Department

There are many criteria that must be taken into account when evaluating different waste management options. The list below includes criteria drawn from many other similar projects, adapted to reflect local circumstances, as well as others that have been added as relevant to Guernsey.

Environmental

Air, Land and Aquatic Environment

• Consideration of impacts on the local environment in terms of pollution to air, soil and water.
• Global Climate Change – Consideration of any net increase or reduction in release of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide and methane.
• Natural Heritage – Any impacts on habitats and the quality, quantity and diversity of species of flora and fauna.
• Renewable Energy Production – The ability to contribute to renewable energy supplies.
• Amenity – Consideration of our enjoyment of our Island in terms of any impacts from noise, dust, odour, traffic, etc. Continue reading

How much waste does Guernsey produce?

September 8th, 2010 by States of Guernsey Public Services Department

Generally Guernsey generates about 250,000 tonnes of waste per year.  This includes waste from households, businesses and the construction industry.  The vast majority is recycled, reused or reclaimed (e.g. in the case of most inert waste it is used for land reclamation at Longue Hougue.

What is left is termed ‘residual waste’ of which around 36,000 tonnes was sent to landfill in 2009.

An estimated 7,500 tonnes were also disposed of at private waste handling facilities using methods (open wood burning) that are no longer permitted under the new environmental legislation.

Increased recycling and diversion in recent years has reduced the amount going to landfill to less than half the level of 2001.  This has been achieved through successful initiatives to divert waste from landfill, including increased tipping charges, improvements in recycling, better separation of waste, and home composting schemes for organic waste.  However over that time the general trend has still been one of increasing waste overall.  In recent years we have seen this level off.

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Any future waste disposal solution may focus on dealing with the residual waste fraction, but the overall strategy still has to take account of all the island’s waste.

Continue reading

Guernsey Bicycle Group supports World car free day

September 8th, 2010 by Francis Binney

Wednesday 22 September 2010 is World Carfree Day – Why not support this event while helping the Disasters Emergency Committee’s Pakistan Floods Appeal?

The Guernsey Bicycle Group is inviting all commuters to combine support for World Carfree Day with a donation to the DEC’s Appeal for the victims of the floods in Pakistan.

Commute on 22 September 2010 by walking, cycling, busing or even car sharing, and then simply “click” on the DEC’s Pakistan Appeal website to make a donation or sponsor a colleague.

To find out more contact Francis Paul (Chairman, Guernsey Bicycle Group) tel: 263427

World Car Free Day is 22 September 2010

September 8th, 2010 by Richard Lord

Fed up getting up early only to be stuck in traffic?  Frustrated when someone lets another car in ahead of you when you’re in a rush?

Bumper to bumper traffic on Vauvert heading to the St Peter Port waterfront on 8 September 2010 (click image to expand)

Fed up driving around endlessly trying to find a parking space or when you see a space one on the other side of the car park but can’t get there before another driver takes it?

Waiting in-line to park on the Albert Quay in July 2010 (click image to expand)

Fed-up with the high cost of car insurance?  Fed-up with the high cost of new tires?  Fed-up with high fuel bills?

There is another way that is much cheaper and much healthier.  And to make the journey more pleasant for people who do need to use their car find out if you can car share with someone in your neighbourhood or take the bus.  Guernsey roads were not designed for over 86,000 vehicles.  Year-after-year traffic delays get worse and worse.  Increasing traffic volumes are not sustainable.

The Energy Savings Trust has produced a comprehensive report on heat pumps

September 8th, 2010 by Gavin Lanoe

On 8 September 2010 the Energy Saving Trust published a comprehensive report on the efficiency of heat pumps.  The report “Getting Warmer: a field trial of heat pumps” examined 54 ground source pumps and 29 air source pumps over a 12-month period.

The report finds that homes that benefit most from heat pumps are those currently using oil or electricity heating systems.  Well designed heat pumps deliver on average three units of heat for every unit of electricity used to pump heat around the dwelling.

The heat load of a building should be minimised by insulating the building well before considering the use of heat pumps.

The study found heat pumps that did not perform well.  Heat pumps must be well-sized to match the heat load of the building or their efficiency is significantly reduced.

Insurance claims rise with climate change

September 8th, 2010 by Insurance Corporation

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