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Victoria Hutchin headshot
Who's really responsible for litter?

After the recent closure of the first four consultations on the proposals set out in the government’s Resources and Waste Strategy, we have some time to think about the details.


Arguably the most fundamental potential change is extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging waste: through one of several proposed models, the government will aim to reclaim the full net cost of recovery for the packaging waste that producers generate via their products, fully applying the polluter... More

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?
By
Stewart McGrenary
| 27 January 2019 |
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
By
Andy Moore
| 10 January 2019 |
Andy Moore finds a lot to recommend in the new book by Lucy Siegle, ‘Turning the Tide on Plastic’.
Within difficulty lies opportunity: How Brexit could drive the UK circular economy
Within difficulty lies opportunity: How Brexit could drive the UK circular economy
By
Roger Morton
| 3 January 2019 |
Roger Morton, Director of Axion Polymers, explains what opportunities for the UK waste and resources sector could arise out of the UK’s departure from the EU.
Nick Oettinger standing by mattresses for recycling
More than plastics: Expanding innovation in waste management
By
Nick Oettinger
| 19 October 2018 |
Nick Oettinger, Managing Director of The Furniture Recycling Group, explains why innovation needs to be supported across the waste industry, not just focusing on plastics.
WEEE: A burning issue
WEEE: A burning issue
By
Justin Greenaway
| 18 September 2018 |
Justin Greenaway, Commercial Manager at SWEEEP Kuusakoski, discusses the future of WEEE recycling in the UK.
Deposit return: A tried and tested solution for Scotland
Deposit return: A tried and tested solution for Scotland
By
Clarissa Morawski
| 22 June 2018 |
Clarissa Morawski, Managing Director of Reloop, makes the case for deposit return schemes in the fight against plastic waste.
Construction waste: ‘Out of site’, out of mind?
Construction waste: ‘Out of site’, out of mind?
By
Allan Sandilands
| 8 June 2018 |
With plastics waste hogging the headlines, Allan Sandilands, Senior Consultant at Resource Futures, shines a light on construction waste – the ‘silent sector’ that has slipped under the radar at a time of heightened focus on waste and resources
Single-use plastics: Fiddling while Rome burns...
Single-use plastics: Fiddling while Rome burns...
By
Jessica Baker
| 4 May 2018 |
With single-use plastic products increasingly under the spotlight, Jessica Baker, Managing Director of Chase Plastics Ltd., asks whether government and industry are guilty of looking the wrong way in the fight against plastic pollution
Marine litter: Don’t get carried away…
By
Chiarina Darrah
| 11 April 2018 |
With a new study appearing to show that plastic carrier bag litter on the seabed has fallen as a result of the 5p charge, Chiarina Darrah, Senior Consultant at Eunomia, asks what lessons we can legitimately draw from the data. 
Landfill vs incineration: what’s best for leftover plastics?
Landfill vs incineration: what’s best for leftover plastics?
By
Keith Freegard
| 26 February 2018 |
As China’s import restrictions see levels of waste plastic rise in the UK, Keith Freegard, Director of Axion Polymers, argues that low-grade materials should be landfilled rather than burnt for energy.
Avoiding a dog’s Brexit for waste and resources
Avoiding a dog’s Brexit for waste and resources
By
Libby Peake
| 8 January 2018 |
Libby Peake, Senior Policy Adviser at the Green Alliance think tank, says Brexit talk must turn to action if we are to avoid an environmental policy gap.
No excuse for perpetuating slavery in waste
No excuse for perpetuating slavery in waste
By Resource |
12 December 2017 |
Paul Broadbent, Chief Executive of the Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority, warns that everyone has a responsibility to stamp out modern slavery in the recycling industry.
Getting more out of anaerobic digestion
Getting more out of anaerobic digestion
By
Nigel Lee
| 22 November 2017 |
Nigel Lee, General Manager at Amur, says that anaerobic digestion plants need to work harder to improve gas yields if they are to achieve their budgeted income.
Quality recycling needs more than just wishful thinking
Quality recycling needs more than just wishful thinking
By
Ray Georgeson
| 13 November 2017 |
Resource Association Chief Executive Ray Georgeson says more needs to be done to revive quality standards with the Chinese ban on waste imports looming.
Rethinking the EU’s plastic recycling plan
Rethinking the EU’s plastic recycling plan
By
Catia Bastioli
Anders Wijkman
| 19 October 2017 |
Anders Wijkman, Chairman of Climate-KIC, and Novamont CEO Catia Bastioli say standards and separate collections rather than simply ‘recyclable’ materials will create a circular plastics economy.
Data for the smarter management of C&I waste
Data for the smarter management of C&I waste
By
Peter Scholes
| 6 October 2017 |
Peter Scholes, Principal Consultant at Anthesis Group, considers how the lack of data on the scale of commercial waste in the UK can be solved.
The legality of resisting residual restrictions
The legality of resisting residual restrictions
By
The Insider
| 7 September 2017 |
Our Insider questions the legality of private services stepping in where councils are restricting residual waste.
Behind the headlines – DCLG waste budget boost masks rising disposal costs
Behind the headlines – DCLG waste budget boost masks rising disposal costs
By
Philip Simpson
| 18 August 2017 |
ReFood Commercial Director Philip Simpson suggests the recently announced £200-million waste budget boost for local authorities is masking rising landfill disposal costs, for which there are economic alternatives.
Contamination costs where quality counts
Contamination costs where quality counts
By
Niels Flierman
| 11 August 2017 |
Niels Flierman, Operations Director at DS Smith Paper, explains how consistent collections stressing quality would benefit the whole supply chain.
Why stories and collaboration are essential for behaviour change
Why stories and collaboration are essential for behaviour change
By
Trewin Restorick
| 26 May 2017 |
Hubbub co-founder Trewin Restorick shares lessons on behaviour change campaigns learnt and implemented through the organisation's Square Mile Challenge to reduce coffee cup waste in central London.