Scottish toxic waste is being dumped on developing nations

By Christine Lavelle

AN investigation has revealed that tens of thousands of tonnes of toxic waste from Scotland are being illegally dumped in Africa and Asia each year.

According the Scottish Government’s environmental watchdog, the offloading on developing countries has been aided by organised crime groups.

It includes broken televisions, microwaves, tyres and contaminated paper from Scottish homes and businesses.

The waste is said to be endangering the health of people in Nigeria, Zanzibar, Ghana, Indonesia, Pakistan and China.

But, in a major crackdown, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency (Sepa) has stopped eight shipments of the illegal trade this year.

Car clubs set to expand across country according to new report

By Amanda MacMillan

THE FUTURE of car clubs in Scotland looks bright, according to a report published yesterday (Mon) which points them in the right direction for expanding across the country.

The Transform Scotland Trust has published ‘Developing Car Clubs in Scotland’ which describes the benefits of the car pooling service.

The report also says that if action is taken now, car club membership in Scotland could boom from 3,500 today to 25,000 by 2014/15.

Professor Stephen Stradling, chair of the Transform Scotland Trust, said: “Our research points the way forward for car clubs to become a reality for people across Scotland.

Taxpayers land £175,000 mine fine after planning row

By Oliver Farrimond

A SCOTTISH council has had to cough up its biggest ever pay-out after bungling a planning application from one of the UK’s largest coal mining companies.

ATH Resources – who are currently under investigation by the Scottish Environment Protection Agency – were handed more than £175,000 by Fife Council after the Scottish Government overturned the council’s application refusal.

The coal mining firm was also recently fined £10,000 for paving over protected peatland near another of their opencast mines at Grievehill in Ayreshire.

Alistair Black, Chief Executive of ATH Resources, said: “It was something that the company did not relish having to do, but given the decision by the reporter it is quite clear that the councillors based their decision on unreasonable grounds.

Flood warning as rain hits Scotland

Tourists sheltering from the rain

By Amanda Keenan

SCOTLAND was put on flood alert last night as heavy rainfall swept in across much of the country following weeks of sunshine which had caused some areas to issue drought warnings.

Flash warnings of heavy rain have been issued by the Met Office for large parts of Aberdeenshire, Moray, Tayside, Fife, Lanarkshire and the Lothian’s.

Persistent and heavy rain saw around 15mm fall within just three hours in some places early on and as much as 35mm was expected in others.

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said it was monitoring water levels on rivers across Dumfries and Galloway – just weeks after the region was subject of a drought order application.

Declining bee numbers sparks multi million pound investigation

By Christine Lavelle

BEEKEEPERS have welcomed a probe into why numbers of the garden insect have been plummeting in recent years.

Numbers have plunged by as much as 15 per cent over the last two years with fears that the fall could impact on the pollination of plants.

Experts estimate the commercial value of the pollination for producing food at as much as £200m every year.

Now the drop has triggered a £1.8 million research project at the University of Dundee’s Centre for Neuroscience.

Cut-price electric cars in Scotland thanks to Chinese firms

By Rory Reynolds

CHINESE firms are planning to sell electric cars in Scotland for as little as £5,000.

Imports expected to arrive next year are set to slash the price of green cars, many of which are sold for around £20,000.

And currently many electric models have a range of just 60-70 miles, making them a luxury to all but the most eco-conscious drivers.

However, many of the new generation vehicles, made by firms like BYD, will top the 100-mile barrier, with some reaching a range of 200 miles.

Fife to set up own golf group

By Cara Sulieman

THE home of golf plans a break-a-way group to help promote Fife as a mecca for fans of the sport amid claims VisitScotland isn’t doing enough to promote the area as a major tourist destination.

Fife Council is leading the drive to form a stand-alone ‘alliance’ and has hired a £26,650 team of consultants to draw up a strategy already.

The proposed Fife Golf Alliance would adopt an approved marketing plan for the entire Kingdom which supports hundreds of jobs and brings millions of pounds into the local economy.

The consultants, Business and Tourism Solutions Ltd, have been tasked with carrying out a “robust review” of the industry to see if the independent alliance is needed.

Fife hospital needs to clean up act

By Cara Sulieman

A SCOTS hospital which suffered a series of superbug related deaths has been slammed over its poor hygiene levels in a damning new report.

The Queen Margaret Hospital in Dunfermline, Fife, was slated by inspectors for filthy bedding and dangerously filled bins in a dossier of shame first published today (mon).

The Healthcare Environment Inspectorate said it found that bins earmarked for sharp items had been filled with other waste items, while there were needles protruding from full bins.

During their check visit on January 13 and 14, they were alarmed to find that front line mattresses – including those in A&E – badly contaminated but marked cleaned for use.

Edinburgh florist saves planet with re-usable Christmas trees

By Oliver Farrimond

We all know that a dog is for life, not just for Christmas.

And the same now rings true for Christmas trees, after an enterprising Edinburgh florist made living trees available – for rent.

The move should prove a hit with eco-friendly shoppers during the hectic holiday season, as the trees can re-planted after use.

This means that customers at Va Va Bloom florist, in Blackhall, can use the same tree year after year by re-planting in their own gardens.

They also have the option of giving their tree back to the florist, safe in the knowledge it will be carefully tended to at the garden centre in time for next Christmas.

Bailed-out bank “should put cash into eco-fight”

By Michael MacLeod

THE Royal Bank of Scotland should be forced to help save the world from global warming by backing “ethical” projects according to a top business academic.

The idea would see RBS ploughing cash into eco-friendly energy firms and promoting renewable power.

The banking giant – which is 73 per-cent owned by the Government – should be pressurised into the move according to the director of the Centre for Business and Climate Change at the Edinburgh Business School.

Dr Craig Mackenzie was speaking out in a report backed by Friends of the Earth.