Comment

Vegware applaud the University of Plymouth’s research on biodegradable carrier bags.
Cut the confusion on compostables

Lucy Frankel, Communications Director at compostable packaging manufacturer Vegware, applauds the University of Plymouth’s research on biodegradable carrier bags – it’s a timely reminder that each material can only be recycled in its correct facility.

Consulting the days away
Consulting the days away

Eunomia Chairman Dominic Hogg welcomes the release of four government consultations on packaging waste and recycling – but will a lack of joined-up thinking impede the creation of a coherent final system?

Stewart McGrenary
Blockchain: the future of WEEE recycling?

Stewart McGrenary, founder and managing director of electronics recycling company Plunc, discusses the potential for blockchain to revolutionise how we deal with e-waste.

Cover of 'Turning the Tide on Plastic' by Lucy Siegle
Review: Turning the Tide on Plastic

Andy Moore finds a lot to recommend in the new book by Lucy Siegle, ‘Turning the Tide on Plastic’.

Video

Can you imagine how much recycling gets missed across a county?
Over 32,000 tonnes of material that could be recycled is instead put in residual waste bins each year in West Sussex, costing the council an estimated £3 million a year in disposal costs. To highlight the scale of this waste, West Sussex County Council has created a video that visualises it on a personal and then county-wide level.
Gum Forest sprouts in London to make litterers reconsider spitting out their gum
A recycling reward machine in Leeds
Leeds collects 600k coffee cups in ‘on the go’ recycling project

On-the-go recycling campaigns will be launched in Swansea and Edinburgh after a trailblazing project in Leeds, led by charity Hubbub, has reported strong results.

A volunteer passes tomatoes to be redistributed at Fareshare's Yorkshire depot.
£4.2m of funding awarded to food redistribution organisations

Four food redistribution organisations across England have been awarded a share of £4.2 million in government funding to redirect unwanted food from bins to plates.

Image of cans and bottles in a bin
Scottish Government unveils deposit return scheme design

Drinks containers made from aluminium, steel, glass and PET plastic will now carry a 20 pence deposit in Scotland as part of the Scottish Government’s new deposit return scheme.

Swansea incinerator rejected after Extinction Rebellion protests
Swansea incinerator rejected after Extinction Rebellion protests

Councillors in Swansea have rejected a planning application by waste management company Biffa for a new energy-from-waste facility after a campaign by local residents.

Sarah Poulter has become CIWM CEO following a stint as Joint Executive Director.
Sarah Poulter becomes new CIWM CEO

CIWM has appointed Sarah Poulter as its new permanent CEO following a period of restructuring.

The Committee on Climate Change has called for urgent action to reduce the UK's carbon emissions.
Climate change report recommends landfill ban for biodegradables

A report from the Committee on Climate Change says the UK can reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but will need to invest in low-carbon energy technologies and implement a ban on biodegradable waste to landfill by 2025.

Image of renewable biomass pellets for use in a domestic boiler, which could be subject to higher tax rates
Proposed tax hike for home renewable energy installations

An HMRC proposal could see VAT increased by 15 per cent for household renewable energy installations such as solar panels and biomass boilers.

The beach hut in Brighton at the launch of the WasteAid appeal
Government to match donations to WasteAid appeal

Until 31 July, the UK Government will be matching public donations up to £2 million to help communities in low-income countries manage their waste.