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Dutch geotechnical engineer R.D. Schuiling has proposed an interesting use for toxic waste: isolate it within large concrete block that are then built up into modern pyramids. The pyramids would be separated from people by water features, which are in turn lined with impermeable lining systems, such as geomembrane containment. It's not a perfect scheme--the exposure risk is enough to deter anyone from attempting it--but it is certainly of interest line of thought. Make our worst waste into public marvels on the scale of ancient monuments? Perhaps in a perfect world. Learn more here.;

How can we move forward after COP15 in Copenhagen? And how will the global bioenergy community be affected? What are the opportunities and potential for modern bioenergy? These were the questions at the "Afternoon Tea-view of World Bioenergy 2010" held at the National Museum of Science and Technology in Stockholm, Sweden. More than 60 diplomats from 35 embassies were there to learn more about Swedish and global bioenergy. Read more in the release.

The International Association of Dredging Companies (IADC) will hold its 34th Interntional Seminar on Dredging and Reclamation in Singapore, 19-23 April 2010. The course is given by recognized experts from the world’s leading dredging companies and is aimed at (future) project managers, project staff and decision makers in governments, port and harbour authorities, offshore companies and other organisations that have to execute dredging projects. Subjects include land reclamation; port development; environmental management; and more.

International Erosion Control Association (IECA) and ReadyTalk, a leading provider of audio conferencing and Web conferencing solutions, announced an agreement designed to benefit IECA and its members by providing discounted conferencing services and the tools necessary to further the IECA mission of connecting, educating and developing the worldwide erosion and sediment control community.

Leading building membranes specialist Icopal is countering the continuing recession with the launch of a plethora of new products at this year's Ecobuild. The company, which draws on the expertise of the global Icopal brand for research and development, is launching four new products on its larger-than-usual stand (number 1350) in addition to showcasing its green roof systems and accessories, waterproofing membranes, Monarfloor acoustic solutions for Sustainable Homes, and geomembranes. Read more.

Construction crews moved dirt to shore up a group of houses precariously perched on a crumbling hill in San Antonio on Monday as engineers tried to determine why the land below was shifting, causing dozens of homes to evacuate. One soil expert said the cause of the landslide appeared to be the result of poor retaining wall design, and a city official said the nearly 1,000-foot-long wall. Learn more here.;

ACF Environmental keeps a green bmp and sustainability blog. Learn more here.;

A New York economist and consultant, Sean Neill, is advocating a new commercial lease structure that would give building owners incentive to green their properties. The idea is to revise standard leases to share the cost and benefits of upgrades and retrofits. From the New York Times. Learn more here.;

The Tessman Road Landfill, profiled here on Geosynthetica many months ago and in a number of publications since, has won a gold medal from the Texas Council of Engineering Companies in their 2010 Engineering Excellence Awards Competition. Republic Services Inc.'s impressive site earned its gold in the competition's environmental category. The panel of judges were impressed by the use of thin-film, flexible photovoltaic cells combined with an exposed TPO membrane cap.

Republic Services Inc.'s Tessman Road landfill in San Antonio recently won a gold medal in the environmental category at the 2010 Texas Council of Engineering Companies Engineering Excellence Awards. The site was honored for a solar energy cover that harvests energy while capping a closed portion of the landfill. The project is now eligible for a national award conferred by the American Council of Engineering Companies in April 2010. Learn more here.;

Albania’s first ever highway tunnel has partially collapsed only four months after opening. A 50m tunnel section in the Thirre area collapsed on 5 November in the south bore of a twin tunnel excavated as part of a new 61km motorway between Rrëshen and Kalimash in the north of the country. Learn more here.;

Hamilton Academical FC (otherwise known as Accies) is about to further improve its facility. Expanding parking is one of the plans on the table, and that includes an engineer's recommendation for geotextile separation under the lot to best stabilize the soil and guarantee long-term performance. Learn more here.;

From March 2010, a new set of European structural design codes for building and civil engineering works, conceived and developed over the past 30 years, will replace the existing national standards in the United Kingdom. These standards, broadly, cover the requirements for mechanical resistance, stability and resistance to fire. Learn more here.;

The Association of General Contractors (AGC) reports that only five out of 337 metropolitan areas saw an increase in construction employment between October 2008 and October 2009 according to a new analysis of metropolitan area employment data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics released today by the Associated General Contractors of America. Meanwhile, construction employment nationally tumbled by 1.1 million jobs over the past 12 months alone, with 328 metro areas reporting losses. Construction employment was unchanged in four metros. Learn more here.;

The Woodland Landfill in South Elgin, Illinois is profiled in the Chicago Tribune. The 103-acre site owned by Waste Management was closed in 2002 after reaching its storage capacity, and has since become not only a part of the natural scenery, but a viable source of natural energy, responsible for providing electrical power to an estimated 1,500 homes throughout Kane County. Learn more here.;

Former senior partner at Davis Langdon, Paul Morrell, has been confirmed as the government’s construction Tsar, beating a slim field to claim the top job. The Chief Construction Adviser will guide the government’s construction procurement strategy, and promote innovation and sustainability in the industry. Learn more here.;

The Senate put the heat on the Obama administration to take a more active role when it comes to highway funding during an 80-minute session on infrastructure on November 18. However, the U.S. DOT’s undersecretary for policy, Roy Kienitz, did not indicate that the White House was ready to desert its call for an 18-month extension of SAFETEA-LU in favor of a six-month extension. Right now states are more concerned about the cancellation of $8.7 billion in contracting authority, which is forcing a 30% cut in local spending power. Learn more here.;

Checkmate Geosynthetics Inc. introduces PosiLok to its family of products. Manufactured in British Columbia, Canada, PosiLok is a Wire Grid Faced System used as a mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) Wall. Read more in the release.

Saudi Arabia-based multi-disciplinary engineering and architectural firm, SaudConsult has signed a memorandum of understanding with Technip France to set up a 50-50 joint-venture firm aimed at developing a new engineering centre in Saudi Arabia. Located in Al Khobar, the new company will focus on front end engineering design, detailed engineering, procurement and construction management services. Pending regulatory clearance, the new joint-venture is expected to begin operations by mid 2010. Learn more here.;

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has announced a US$ 700 million loan to India to help the country implement its programme of public-private partnership (PPP) infrastructure construction. The funds follow a similar US$ 500 million loan made in 2007. Learn more here.;

NOVA Chemicals Corporation, has signed a sales and representative agreement with Propex Concrete Systems, a business unit of Propex Operating Company, LLC, for Elemix® concrete additive. Under the agreement, Propex Concrete Systems will be responsible for increasing sales of Elemix concrete additive in the U.S. ready mix and precast markets, while providing customer service and marketing support to accelerate commercial use of Elemix additive in project specifications. Propex provides Elemix additive with an additional channel to market through a targeted, national sales force and gives Propex another innovative product offering to enhance the performance of concrete.

Ian Peggs of I-CORP International responds to an August/September 2009 article from Geosynthetics magazine on spark testing. Peggs writes, "Note that there are two types of spark testing equipment—AC and DC. The latter is recognized as more accurate. It requires the conductive wire be grounded. The AC does not. It simply requires a highly conductive medium under the weld bead." Read more from the Geosynthetics online article. Learn more here.;

The Industrial Fabrics Association International (IFAI) has announced that the third "Advanced Textiles" event will take place in Paris, France, 16-17 June 2010. The first two in this annual series of Europe- and technology-focused discussions took place in Germany (2008) and Belgium (2009). One of the key topics for Advanced Textiles 2010 is "Construction." Learn more about the event and about submitting an abstract to the conference organizers. Learn more here.;

An interesting first in the construction market: a Chinese firm has opened the first China-owned construction manufacturing facility in India. Both countries have breathless construction markets, and both are well-known for hosting foreign investment, but never one another's. China's economy has advanced to the point it can now leave its borders and open facilities elsewhere, as Liugong's plant shows. Learn more here.;

The U.S. Green Building Council today announced Roger Platt as the Senior Vice President, Global Policy and Law, a new position in the organization effective 1 September 2009. Platt joins USGBC after a very successful 15 years as senior vice president and counsel with the Real Estate Roundtable, which represents the leaders of America's top public and privately owned real estate entities on public policy issues. Read more in the release.