Action

Photo of plastic waste in the ocean by Naja Bertolt Jensen (unsplash)
WRAP’s voluntary agreement report shows further action is required to deliver climate goals

The Waste and Resources Action Plan (WRAP) has warned more collective action is needed from businesses to deliver on the goals of the voluntary agreements it leads on.

Food waste at Boomtown and Eco site
Business in Brief – 01/09/22

A round-up of news from the waste and resources industry.

Leinster House
Ireland reveals first national circular economy strategy

Plan is key step in country’s aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51 per cent

COP26 Glasgow
CIWM responds to COP26 agreements
By
Kai Malloy
| 15 November 2021 |
The introduction of climate change to the curriculum was amongst those discussed
COP26 Glasgow
CIWM President criticises absence of waste in COP26 agenda
By
Kai Malloy
| 2 November 2021 |
Dr Adam Read has labelled the lack of representation a ‘critical oversight’
Plastic waste
Ellen MacArthur Foundation urges UN to establish plastic pollution treaty
By
Emma Love
| 1 September 2021 |
The charity has published a white paper calling on the UN to address plastic pollution and support the transition to a circular economy for plastics in a new treaty
Food waste
WRAP’s Courtauld Commitment extended to 2030
By
Kai Malloy
| 20 July 2021 |
The agreement will see the UK food and drinks sectors face more ambitious sustainability targets to meet UN climate objectives 
EfW plant
XR calls for Prime Minister to decarbonise waste sector
By
Lidia Creech
| 16 November 2020 |
Climate activist group Extinction Rebellion has joined a coalition calling on the Government to decarbonise the waste sector, highlighting ways in which the UK could reduce its reliance on energy-from-waste and meet its net-zero target of 2050.
An image of a working mine
Earth Overshoot Day – how can we move the date?
By
| 29 July 2019 |
On 29 July we have already used up the amount of natural resources that the world can regenerate within a year, the earliest date yet.
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
By
Lidia Creech
| 2 May 2019 |
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.
A gloomy forest
Campaigners pioneer natural solutions to climate change
By
| 4 April 2019 |
George Monbiot is leading calls for Natural Climate Solutions to combat climate change through the restoration of natural ecosystems in order to draw carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere.
Defra to support innovative programmes through Litter Innovation Fund
Defra to support innovative programmes through Litter Innovation Fund
By
Edward Perchard
| 25 August 2017 |
Just under £500,000 in government funding will be awarded to community projects tackling litter in the UK in new and interesting ways, Environment Minister Therese Coffey has announced today.
Marine Conservation Society seeks volunteers for Great British Beach Clean
Get involved in this year's Great British Beach Clean
By
Rob Cole
| 25 August 2017 |
The Marine Conservation Society has issued a call for volunteers to take part in this year’s Great British Beach Clean (15-18 September), a nationwide event dedicated to cleaning Britain’s beaches and recording litter collected.
World first international sustainable procurement guidelines published
By
Katy Carter
| 25 April 2017 |
The world’s first international sustainable procurement guidelines have been published, offering advice for organisations on how to commit to more green and ethical procurement practices.
Major US companies promise to halve food waste
Major US companies promise to halve food waste
By
Elena Holmes
| 24 November 2016 |
Fifteen US companies have pledged to reduce their food loss and waste by 50 per cent by 2030.
Littered plastic bags on UK beaches almost halves in one year
Littered plastic bags on UK beaches almost halves in one year
By
Elena Holmes
| 22 November 2016 |
The number of plastic carrier bags found on UK beaches has halved in the last year, according to results from the 2016 Great British Beach Clean. 
Welsh Environment Bill passed by National Assembly
Welsh Environment Bill passed by National Assembly
By
Edward Perchard
| 3 February 2016 |
A bill that could ban the incineration of recyclable material is to become law after being passed by the National Assembly for Wales yesterday (2 February).
Circular economy pivotal in climate change fight – Goodwin
Circular economy pivotal in climate change fight – Goodwin
By
Hannah Boxall
| 19 January 2016 |
Better waste and resource management could keep global warming below two degrees Celsius, but its role has been underplayed in COP21 discussions, WRAP CEO Liz Goodwin said today.
COP21 breeds ‘historical’ climate change agreement
COP21 breeds ‘historical’ climate change agreement
By
Hannah Boxall
| 14 December 2015 |
Politicians have hailed the ‘landmark global agreement’ reached in Paris at COP21 on Saturday, while environmental and social justice groups criticised its voluntary nature and the lack of a clear pathway to emission reduction.
Poo Power
Poo Power
By
Annie Kane
| 13 August 2015 |
If you can be sure of anything in this world, it’s that we will always have a steady supply of, ahem, human waste. Annie Kane considers whether Bristol’s Bio-Bus could be the future of sewage, or whether it’s a load of… hot air
Droning out waste
Droning out waste
By
Libby Peake
| 13 August 2015 |
As drone use takes off, it’s only a matter of time before they find their place in waste management. In fact, they can already be seen flying over landfills and cropland, monitoring waste, with more applications sure to follow.
Scottish and Welsh ministers warn DECC over renewables strategy
Scottish and Welsh ministers warn DECC over renewables strategy
By
Edward Perchard
| 12 August 2015 |
Wales’s Natural Resources Minister and Scotland’s Energy Minister have written a joint letter to UK Energy Secretary Amber Rudd warning her that her renewables strategy ‘will significantly damage’ the renewables sector.
UN seeks to tackle food waste and resource use by 2030
UN seeks to tackle food waste and resource use by 2030
By
Edward Perchard
| 4 August 2015 |
The United Nations has agreed a draft for its 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda, which seeks to halve global food waste, ‘substantially reduce waste generation’ and curb climate change.