Design

EU paves way for right to repair
EU paves way for right to repair

The EU will introduce legislation obliging manufacturers to make their products longer-lasting and easier to repair following ratification by European environment ministries.


The new rules, signed off this week (15 January), will enter into force from April 2021 and will apply to household consumer products such as lighting, display screens, washing machines, dishwashers and fridges.


Following the announcement, Chloe Fayole of ECOS (European Environmental Citizens Organisation... More

It’s time to vote for your Legends of Waste in this year’s Hot 100!
It’s time to vote for your Legends of Waste in this year’s Hot 100!

Who across the waste and resources world has done enough to etch their name into the pantheon of greats as this year’s Legend of Waste? You can tell us now by voting in this year’s Hot 100.

Unilever invests in plastic-free laundry tablet
Unilever invests in plastic-free laundry tablet

Unilever intends to clean up the laundry industry by investing in a plant-derived washing tablet to replace plastic coated sachets.

‘World’s most sustainable straw’ in development
‘World’s most sustainable straw’ in development
By
Kate Nicholson
| 5 December 2018 |
A new design has been put forward for a renewable and biodegradable straw to replace traditional plastic straws often found amongst marine pollution.
Innovative modular home provides solution to housing crisis
Innovative modular home provides solution to housing crisis
By
ZEDpod
| 29 November 2018 |
Innovative building company ZEDpod’s pre-fabricated modular homes could be about to make central urban living more affordable.
Costa to package new ‘smart cup’ in recycled coffee cups
Costa to package new ‘smart cup’ in recycled coffee cups
By
Rob Cole
| 29 November 2018 |
Costa Coffee has launched a new reusable coffee cup that enables contactless payments and comes in packaging made from recycled coffee cups.
Merseyside community project refashions recycling through arts and crafts
Merseyside community project refashions recycling through arts and crafts
By
Kate Nicholson
| 21 November 2018 |
A Merseyside community project is rethinking the approach to recycling by engaging residents in a communal art project.
Entries for European plastics group innovation awards open
Entries for European plastics group innovation awards open
By Resource |
20 November 2018 |
The European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organisations (EPRO) is inviting companies across Europe to enter their products for the EPRO Best Recycled Plastic Product Innovation and Sustainability Awards.
Shelter for refugees built entirely from recycled plastic
Emergency shelter built entirely from recycled plastic
By
Kate Nicholson
| 13 November 2018 |
Ocean plastics initiative Waste Free Oceans has unveiled the first emergency shelter made from recycled plastic retrieved from the river Po in Italy.
New apprenticeship for metals recycling launched
New apprenticeship for metals recycling launched
By
Kate Nicholson
| 7 November 2018 |
A new apprenticeship designed specifically for the metals recycling industry has been launched by the Institute of Apprenticeships. 
New emissions reduction technology to be fitted to Westminster waste vehicles
New emissions reduction technology to be fitted to Westminster waste vehicles
By
Kate Nicholson
| 29 October 2018 |
A new device will be fitted on waste collection vehicles in Westminster as designers promise it will reduce harmful emissions by 99 per cent.
Ditto Sustainability wins NHS Scotland waste reduction contract
Ditto Sustainability wins NHS Scotland waste reduction contract
By
Rob Cole
| 24 October 2018 |
Digital circular economy company Ditto Sustainability has been chosen to transform product reuse strategies for NHS Scotland through its artificial intelligence platform.
Accelerator programme launched for London’s circular economy entrepreneurs
Accelerator programme launched for London’s circular economy entrepreneurs
By
Kate Nicholson
| 24 October 2018 |
A new accelerator programme has been launched by the London Waste and Recycling Board, with a focus upon circular economy start-ups based in the capital.
UK start-up wins top prize at European circular economy awards
UK startup wins top prize at European circular economy awards
By
Kate Nicholson
| 23 October 2018 |
Uk start-up Aeropowder won the 2018 Green Alley Award last week for its innovative sustainable packaging material made from chicken feathers. 
Innovative biodegradable materials could replace microplastics in cosmetics
Innovative biodegradable materials could replace microplastics in cosmetics
By
Kate Dickinson
| 2 October 2018 |
Italian bioplastics company Novamont has developed a new range of biodegradable materials designed for use in cosmetics.
Start-ups redefining sustainability on the shortlist for circular award
Start-ups redefining sustainability on the shortlist for circular award
By
Kate Nicholson
| 26 September 2018 |
The 2018 Green Alley Award shortlist has been published, nominating a range of start-ups. From the company reinventing plastic to technological enterprises tracking a product’s sustainability, there’s a great range of creative solutions vying for the prize.
Modular ZEDPod starter homes chosen for first project
Modular ZEDPod starter homes chosen for first project
By
ZEDPods
| 24 September 2018 |
To meet the growing demand for key worker housing in Dunstable, three eco-friendly ZEDPod homes have been approved for use in a new affordable development.
SUEZ outlines key principles for effective UK EPR regime
SUEZ outlines key principles for effective UK EPR regime
By
Rob Cole
| 14 September 2018 |
Waste management company SUEZ recycling and recovery UK has released a report detailing 10 fundamental principles for an effective extended producer responsibility regime for the UK.
The Ocean Cleanup project begins final deployment
The Ocean Cleanup project begins final deployment
By
Kate Nicholson
| 13 September 2018 |
The Ocean Cleanup, after five years of research and testing, has launched its marine plastic extraction system in an attempt to cleanse the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Carlsberg launches new sustainable packaging design in UK
Carlsberg launches new sustainable packaging design in UK
By
Kate Nicholson
| 11 September 2018 |
Carlsberg has produced a new environmentally-friendly form of packaging with NMP Systems called Snap Pack, which is estimated to save up to 76 percent on plastics.
Researchers at Swansea University unlock plastic waste car fuel potential
Swansea University researchers unlock plastic waste car fuel potential
By
Kate Nicholson
| 6 September 2018 |
Scientists at the University of Swansea have discovered how to transform waste plastics into hydrogen, which could then be used to fuel hydrogen cars.
Second boat made from recycled plastic sets sail on the Thames
Second boat made from recycled plastic sets sail on the Thames
By
Kate Nicholson
| 4 September 2018 |
Environmental charity Hubbub launched a boat made from 99 per cent plastic waste last week to collect debris in the Thames.
Lucozade to trial edible packaging at sports events
Lucozade to trial edible packaging at sports events
By
Rob Cole
| 30 August 2018 |
Sports drinks giant Lucozade will trial a biodegradable form of packaging for its sports drinks and gels at a series of events from September as it seeks to move beyond plastic.