Duty of Care, CIWM Headquarters, Northampton Wednesday 30th April 2008

Do you produce waste?   Or do you manage waste?

The waste Duty of Care legislation is a fundamental part of running any organisation, and affects every business in this country.  Can you be confident that your business is fulfilling its obligations?  This course provides practical, up-to-date advice on the legislation and how to comply.

Who is it for?
- This course is of vital importance for those with responsibility for the production, transport, handling, treatment and disposal of wastes.
- Waste producers in all industry sectors.
- It is also a logical follow-on course for the Waste Awareness Certificate delegates.

Introduction to Waste Legislation, Sheffield, Wednesday 7th May 2008

Is waste legislation new to you?  Do you need an introduction into the key legal requirements of managing waste?
 
This course is an excellent first step in understanding waste legislation.

Who is it for?
- Those who are involved in the production, transport, handling, treatment and disposal of resources and wastes.
- The regulation of those activities and who need to be aware of the relevant legislation. 
- Those who are new to, or aspiring to work within a waste management role.  
 
Further information can be obtained from CIWM, Tel: 01604 620426, Email: events@ciwm.co.uk, www.ciwm.co.uk
 

News Release from Keep Britain Tidy, Tuesday 8th April 2008

The world`s biggest cigarette butt has been `dumped` in Trafalgar Square to highlight what`s become the country`s biggest litter problem.

With cigarette related litter on 78% of the country`s streets, Keep Britain Tidy is launching its most aggressive advertising campaign against people who drop their butts on our streets.

According to Keep Britain Tidy, since the ban on smoking in public places came in last July, we are literally swimming in a sea of cig butts.
 

And as the number of cig ends continues to soar, Keep Britain Tidy`s chief executive, Phil Barton has gone on the offensive:

`Since the smoking ban was brought in nine months ago, the number of discarded butts on our streets has soared. We applaud the cigarette ban as it has made our pubs and restaurants more pleasant environments to be in. But unfortunately we are now seeing an epidemic of smoking related litter on our streets.

`The message is clear: dumping fag stubs on the ground is disgusting and people responsible will face fines.`

On Tuesday 8 April, Keep Britain Tidy will launch its biggest ever anti-smoking litter campaign:

- Thirteen councils from across the country are campaign partners and will be quick to issue on-the-spot fines to anyone caught chucking their cig.

- 10,000 posters and banners will go up across the country warning `Dirty Chuckers` of £80 fines. These will appear in bus shelters, phone boxes, pub toilets and lampposts.

- 50,000 beer mats will go to pubs across the land to highlight the problem.

Phil added: `Throughout April our local authority partners will step up their efforts to issue on-the-spot fines to smokers who dump their stubs on the streets rather than use bins provided. Now is the time for smokers to change the dirty habit which is staining our streets, particularly in town and city centres. Almost half the councils in England have received serious complaints from the public and this is simply not acceptable.`

The campaign is also backed by portable ashtray, Ashcan, available at Tesco, just one of the many solutions available in the UK. For further information, please email press@encams.org

Andrew Large, Director General of the CSSA said, `I am proud to be launching this statement of ethical practice for cleaning contractors. This statement marks the first time that reputable cleaning employers have agreed the baselines of good practice within the industry. The requirement for an annual report on the statement means that it will have real teeth, as the association will be publicly accountable for the progress made.`

`I look forward to being able to write in the association`s Annual Report for 2008 how we have been able to implement the provision of the statement.`

Please contact Andrew Large for a copy of the statement or any further information Tel: 020 7920 9632, www.cleaningindustry.org

The Chancellor`s budget saw the announcement of an extra £60m of resources over the next three years to help the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) provide new opportunities to help workers unlock their talents.

`This shows there is real commitment to lifting the skills of everyone in the UK` says Richard Beamish, Chief Executive of Asset Skills.

`It will benefit employers across our five industries: property, housing, cleaning, facilities management and parking - by making it easier for them to access the right training and funding for staff development.`

As well as the budget boost, Phil Hope MP, Regional Minister for the East Midlands, visited Derby-based Rolls-Royce to announce a new partnership for the region, the Train to Gain Protocol.

The partnership involves Asset Skills and the other 24 Sector Skills Councils (SSCs), the Learning and Skills Council, the East Midlands Development Agency and East Midlands Business Ltd.

The launch, on 10 March, was organised by the new Alliance of Sector Skills Councils, and attended by skills partners and East Midlands` employers.

The Train to Gain scheme has already helped around 4,000 employers in the region to upskill their workers. The new push aims to reach thousands more to help them develop their workforce and strengthen business productivity.

`The protocol we have put in place will lead the way for us to work even closer with employers to help them help themselves in growing their businesses` says Richard Beamish.

Employers were also invited to sign up to a Skills Pledge to show their commitment to provide ongoing training and support for workers in obtaining qualifications.

For press enquiries please contact Jess Watson at Asset Skills on 07769 900 963 or email jwatson@assetskills.org

This event is a must for any key industry influencers and decision makers, this is the industry`s only all encompassing conference, specialising in areas from green cleaning to employment law. As a cleaning employer, this is an excellent opportunity to network with other industry players, as well as being informed on issues that may affect all aspects of your business.

Steve Wright, BCC Chairman said: `This conference will appeal to those at strategic level, policy makers in the industry with the ability and will to forge through positive industry changes and share success stories.`

A programme for the event is being finalised and we can exclusively reveal that a minister from Defra has been invited to attend as a keynote speaker. Topics will include: green government and sustainability; public procurement; immigration and employment law; NHS cleaning; Health & Safety Executive and Quality Management Schemes.

Andrew Large, Director General of the Cleaning and Support Services Association said: `The subject matter in Future Clean is both topical and of relevance to many including senior contract cleaning managers in my sector, who will be keen to hear more on a positive case study of hospital cleaning and quality management systems.`

A unique element to this event is that five highly regarded cleaning companies will sponsor entertainment suites for lunch and evening drinks. This will mean that delegates will have the chance to be wined and dined by the industry`s key players, with an opportunity to network with others from the industry.

Following a daytime conference, there will be a gala dinner in the evening with entertainment. The next day, there will be the opportunity to play golf at the hotel`s world class facilities. For further information on this year`s premier industry event, please contact Martin Scott, on tel. 01895 454438 or email martinscott@quartz.uk.net

For press inquiries please contact Eibhlin O`Somachain, BCC, on tel. 0161 4068197, or email press@britishcleaningcouncil.org

Presentations will include: Chairman`s welcome; Zoe Stephenson, Head of Cleaning Services, Carillion PLC: Cleaning as part of an Facilities Management (FM) solution; Asset Skills: FM and the Standards for performance plus a presentation from the Facilities Management Association.

The afternoon sessions will see: Mark Gillman, Emprise Group Business Support Team; Steve Jackson from Barnsley Council plus a speaker from Knowsley Council.

A gala dinner will be held in the evening followed by the ABCD AGM the following day.

For all inquiries please contact Pat Wherton at abcd@wherton.freeserve.co.uk, www.abcdsp.org.uk

The Low Carbon Innovation Exchange is a unique opportunity for delegates to share information in a new and exciting format. This acclaimed national programme of best practice events, taking place at various locations across the UK during 2008 will enable delegates to share best practice, foster professional networks and develop actionable ideas to help reduce carbon emissions by promoting best practice.

Each Exchange has been developed around a core programme of roundtable discussion groups together with a range of case studies and networking opportunities. These unique events provide delegates with opportunities to share their experiences on a wide range of issues.

To view the events, programmes and to register please visit: www.ciwm-carbonexchange.com

For more information e-mail events@ciwm.co.uk or contact Harvey Sugden (Business Development Manager) on 01604 620426