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Portuguese Environmental Inspectorate controls waste shipments

nancy — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 12:52:50 +0000

During a control operation, the portuguese environmental inspectorate (IGAOT) inspected about 500 shipments from 19 til 21 October, aiming to detect illegal movements of waste. The action was performed together with spanish authorities and was part of a European project under the IMPEL TFS network.

Click here for the press release.

New website 3EcoBees

nancy — Mon, 04 May 2009 11:41:58 +0000

Together with its partner, Chama Inc., AmbienDura has published the new website of 3EcoBees. This joint initiative is a sustainability thinktank providing practical strategies to help business and authorities operate more ethically and responsibly, and become better aligned with today’s social, environmental and economic development needs. 3EcoBees helps organizations formulate strategies through transparency, responsiveness and compliance – engaging stakeholders, communicating with internal and external audiences and aiding in the continual improvement of sustainability objectives.

We can be followed on twitter and people can join our group on Linkedin.

AmbienDura guest author for Algarve123

nancy — Fri, 01 May 2009 11:34:54 +0000

In 2009 AmbienDura started as a guest author for the Algarve regional newspaper, Algarve123. Once a month Ambiendura submits an article in relation to environment and the Algarve. In recent editions we discussed questions as: ‘Is running a green hotel a sustainable and viable option in the Algarve’ and ‘The dark side of high tech’. A huge advantage of this newspaper is that it is translated in three languages (portuguees, english and german) and therefore reaches a broader audience.

CALL FOR COMMUNITY ENVIRONMENTAL INSPECTION FORCE

nancy — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 21:49:09 +0000

By a motion for a resolution and a parliamentary question, a key member of the European Parlement urges the European Commission to take firm measures to ensure a good and even enforcement of environmental laws throughout the European Community.The European Commission has been reviewing the “Recommendations on minimum criteria for environmental inspections”. In its conclusions, the European Commissions identified that still large disparities exist in the way environmental inspections are carried out by the Member States, that the recommendations are inadequate and that they do not cover all pieces of environmental legislation.

As environmental policy aims can only be reached by a full implementation of the rules that are developed to protect the environment, the European Parliament asks for stronger and legally binding tools to ensure an effective enforcement of those rules.

One of the suggestions is the establishment of a Community Environmental Inspection Force and the strenghtening the European Union Network for the Implementation and Enforcement of Environmental Law (IMPEL).

3ECOBEES TAKE OFF

nancy — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 22:57:50 +0000

From 24 – 27 July, the ‘3Ecobees’ presented itself for the first time to the public during the environmental fair in Olhão (Portugal). Since June 2008, Ambiendura together with Chama Inc., has joined forces to initiate projects within the field of eco-lifestyle, sustainable tourism and eco-investments.

Visitors of the fair could taste some delicious food made from organic ingredients and enjoy the only biological wine the Algarve knows. By participating in the 3Ecobees ‘Eco Bingo’, people could win a bag full with environmentally friendly products, such as detergents from the Ecover line and soaps from Essência do Mundo. As a special price, we were able to offer the winners of the Eco Bingo a voucher to the Eco hotel ‘Quinta da Fornalha’ in Castro Marim (Portugal).

The persons behind 3EcoBees (Nancy Isarin, Eddie Correia and Moses Mehraban) also met with touroperators from Germany and Spain to exchange ideas regarding eco-tourism and activities in the Algarve.

Based on the positive responses the ‘3EcoBees’ have received and the many interested people and companies we have met, we feel that we are on the right way. Stay informed of our activities via the official 3EcoBees blog.

Portuguese Environmental Inspectorate tightens controls on illegal export of electronic waste

nancy — Mon, 14 Jul 2008 14:09:20 +0000

Huge quantities of electronic and electrical waste are exported to Asian and African facilities, where they are treated under conditions potentially harmful to human health and the environment. In Portugal still unknown numbers of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) are leaving the country illegally, but the Inspectorate General of the Environment and Spatial Planning (IGAOT) promises to take up this matter.

To respond to this situation, “we are investigating the shipments, the amount and waste streams concerned “responds Mario Grácio, inspector director of the inspection unit responsible for waste management. “There are many indications that the WEEE passes national borders illegally”, confirms the inspector, warning that the difficulty that exists in differentiating between WEEE and second-hand equipment.

Cooperation is sought with the Portuguese Environment Agency and the Directorate General of Customs, when it comes to shipments going though ports. On land, the Office for the Protection of Nature and the Environment, the SEPNA/GNR, is a major ally. “Above all we want to alert the various entities for this reality” explains Mário Grácio. For example, containers of WEEE have been detected in the port of in Rotterdam from Portugal, which did not meet the requirements of the law. But also imports of waste occur, as recently shown by a detected import of batteries from Cape Verde.

Click here for the full story at ambienteonline.pt (in Portuguese).

3ECOBEES HEAD TO OLHÃO’S POPULAR ENVIRONMENTAL FAIR

nancy — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 10:38:23 +0000

July 8, 2008 – Algarve, Portugal – 3EcoBees, the result of a joint venture between two Algarve based companies Ambiendura, an environmental consultancy, and Chama Inc., a marketing and visibility company, are looking to change the colour of their region to Green.

By joining forces, the two companies are looking to promote and develop the Algarve as a green region for both tourists and locals, in the areas of sustainable tourism, eco-investments, eco-products and eco-lifestyle. With a strong visibility and communications strategy, 3EcoBees wants to shed new light on what already exists and encourage new investments in the Algarve. It is also interested in collaborating with regional and international experts to create a think tank which will support this objective and grow the project more organically.

The founders will be introducing the project at the Feira Nacional de Parques Naturais e Ambiente in Olhão, held from July 24th to 27th. 3EcoBees is looking to work with businesses actively engaged in developing green and sustainable products and services in the region and country. Therefore any eco or green type businesses not taking part in the fair but interested in having their products represented are encouraged to contact 3EcoBees to find out how they can participate.

Portuguese version of this press release.

For further information contact:

Eddie Correia (Pt/Eng.)
T: +351.91.358.8459
E: e.correia@chamainc.com

Nancy Isarin (Eng. /Nl)
T: +351.91.324.1900
E: Nancy.Isarin@ambiendura.com

General
E: bees@3ecobees.com

About 3ecobees.com – a new green think tank in the Algarve, formed by Ambiendura and Chama Inc to promote and develop a sustainable Algarve.

About Ambiendura.com – Ambiendura is an independent environmental consultancy, offering advice in the field of implementation of environmental law, facilitating cooperation at all levels and providing project management and support. A practical approach is key in their strategy and work.

About Chamainc.com - Chama is a creative marketing & web solutions company focused on business visibility and utilizing the most innovative technologies to deliver powerful results.

Still no uniform enforcement of waste shipments in the EU

nancy — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:18:14 +0000

A recently published report by the IMPEL TFS network, discloses big differences between EU member states regarding the implementation and enforcement of rules for waste shipments. Controls carried out during the Enforcement Action I project in 25 countries, reveal that 15% of the inspected waste shipments were in non-compliance with EU legislation. Recommended is therefore to continue with coordinated inspections at EU level, with support from the European Commission, and to create more political support for the work of the inspectors and enforcers. The final report can be viewed here.

Previous IMPEL TFS reports, such as the Seaport and Verification projects, also showed high levels of non-compliance. Results of inspections however depend on various things, such as type, location and time of inspection and if they are ad-random or targeted. Nevertheless, these results again proof the need for a coordinated EU-wide strategy, involving all EU member states and authorities and a set of minimum criteria if one really wants to tackle illegal movements of waste and create a level playing field for all involved players.

At EU level the same rules, laid down EC Regulation 1013/2006, apply in each member state. The enforcement of these rules is however the responsibility of the individual country, which at the moment results in differences between the countries. Also the low priority for controlling waste shipments, results in lack of resources, experiences and cooperation between involved authorities.

Ambiendura attends Ninth Meeting of the Parties to the Basel Convention

nancy — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 15:15:32 +0000

From 23-27 June 2008, Nancy Isarin of Ambiendura attended the ninth meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal (COP9) held in Bali. On behalf of the European IMPEL-TFS Network, Ambiendura provided a side-event about international enforcement collaboration of transboundary movements of waste.
During the week, key items as the strategic plan, financial, legal and technical matters were discussed by more than 500 participants from governments, NGO’s and private sector. Also during this COP it seemed impossible to reach consensus about the Ban Amendment, which deals with the export of hazardous waste from OECD countries to non-OECD countries. Informal meetings will be organised in order to solve the longstanding disagreements between parties with respect to this controversial amendment of the Basel Convention. The NGO Platform on Shipbreaking showed the impressive film “The Ironeaters” about shipbreaking on the beaches of Bangladesh.

On 26 June the “World Forum on Waste Management for Human Health and Livelihood,”the theme of COP9, attracted the highlevel segment of the involved governments.
A summary of the COP9 is available here.

Algarve Environmental Fair

nancy — Sun, 15 Jun 2008 22:58:51 +0000

Coming around the corner in July is the annual Environmental fair hosted here in the Algarve. For the third time, Olhão will host the event, with Eco-Tourism and Biodiversity being the main theme. The organizers still have room for companies focused on the Environment, Outdoor, Sustainability, Responsibly, Organics, Regional Products etc. to be part of the fair.Does this mean you have to be a green activist type company to participate? No, quite the contrary, this fair is about any business that is environmentally conscious, organic or promoting sustainability, responsible citizenship in Portugal. Which should really mean just about everyone and everything, but that’s not reality yet. If your business focuses on products or services that are green or trying to be green, and make our world a better place, you should give the organizers a call to find out more.

Feira National de Parques Marcos Bartilotti Tel. + 351 963 690 991 e-mail: info@feiranacionaldeparques.com Rita Pestana Município de Olhão Largo Sebastião Martins Mestre 8700 – 952 Olhão Tel. + 351 289 700 171 e-mail: geral.pescas@cm-olhao.pt