Europe

World’s first used-plastic bicycle path launched in the Netherlands
World’s first used-plastic bicycle path launched in the Netherlands

The Netherlands is trialling a new way to reuse plastic waste with the launch of the world’s first reused plastic bicycle path.


The path is 100 feet long (30 metres), based in the 1,300 year old northern town of Zwolle, and is approximately two to three times more durable than the current asphalt paths in use.


Asphalt concrete alone creates approximately 1.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions per year, which equates to up to two per cent of global road transport emissions. The new... More

Setting the trend: Milan's recycling success
Setting the trend: Milan's recycling success

Milan may be the fashion capital of the world, but the Italian city has more than one string to its bow, boasting one of the highest recycling rates in Europe – and an organic waste collection available to all. Kate Dickinson asks if the Milan model could set a trend for UK cities to follow

SUEZ outlines key principles for effective UK EPR regime
SUEZ outlines key principles for effective UK EPR regime

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.

London pledges to reduce landfill waste by 50 per cent by 2030
London pledges to reduce landfill waste by 50 per cent by 2030
By
Kate Nicholson
| 28 August 2018 |
London joins 23 cities in pledge to cut waste sent to landfill by 50 per cent and waste per capita by 15 per cent by 2030.
ESA report calls for ‘smarter’ recycling measures
ESA report calls for ‘smarter’ recycling measures
By
Rob Cole
| 22 August 2018 |
The Environmental Services Association has called for ‘smarter’ measures of recycling progress to replace the current weight-based metrics in a new report released on Monday (20 August).
17 billion kg of fruit and veg wasted in the EU
By
Gethin Roberts
| 15 August 2018 |
A new study from the European Commission sets out targeted prevention strategies to reduce avoidable food waste from EU households.
Eunomia to lead projects on Czech deposit scheme and EU product circularity
Eunomia to lead projects on Czech deposit scheme and EU product circularity
By
Rob Cole
| 30 July 2018 |
The work portfolio of environmental consultancy firm Eunomia Research and Consulting continues to expand, with a commission to design a deposit return scheme for the Czech Republic and a new project to assess the circular economy potential of products in the EU market.
Public input wanted for Scotland’s deposit return scheme
By
Gethin Roberts
| 25 July 2018 |
Zero Waste Scotland is running a series of nationwide public engagement events giving details on potential schemes and seeking feedback from Scottish citizens. 
Flawed monitoring leading to overestimation of UK packaging recycling, says NAO
Flawed monitoring could lead to overestimation of UK packaging recycling, says NAO
By
Rob Cole
| 23 July 2018 |
A report from the National Audit Office has called the UK’s packaging recycling rates into question, warning that fraud and error in the PRN system are not being properly monitored by Defra and the Environment Agency.
EU pressed to set mandatory recycled plastic content requirement
EU pressed to set mandatory recycled plastic content requirement
By
Kate Dickinson
| 20 July 2018 |
A coalition of 34 European organisations has called on the EU to implement a minimum requirement for recycled plastics in new products. 
Nottingham Trent University leads £6.4m circular economy project
Nottingham Trent University leads £6.4m circular economy project
By
Gethin Roberts
| 17 July 2018 |
The scheme is looking to develop a circular economy approach for everyday products and services.
China and EU sign memorandum of understanding on circular economy
By
Gethin Roberts
| 17 July 2018 |
The world’s two largest economies transitioning to circular economy practices could accelerate the adoption of these practices on a global scale.
Gove fails to guarantee current environmental standards won’t fall after Brexit
Gove fails to guarantee current environmental standards won’t fall after Brexit
By
Rob Cole
| 12 July 2018 |
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has been accused of “papering over the cracks” by MPs in Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee during an evidence session on the proposed Environmental Principles and Governance after EU Exit Bill.
Madrid to end incineration of waste by 2025
Madrid to end incineration of waste by 2025
By
Kate Dickinson
| 12 July 2018 |
As part of a new strategy on waste designed to meet higher EU targets, the city of Madrid is planning to introduce separate collection of organic waste and completely eliminate incineration.
Infrastructure review urges government to go beyond EU recycling targets
Infrastructure review urges government to go beyond EU recycling targets
By
Rob Cole
| 10 July 2018 |
The UK Government should set a municipal recycling target of 65 per cent and establish separate food waste collection for households and businesses by 2025 to provide a low-carbon future for the UK, according to the National Infrastructure Assessment.
OECD report urges governments to crack down on WEEE free-riding
OECD report urges governments to crack down on WEEE free-riding
By
Rob Cole
| 6 July 2018 |
A new report from the OECD has urged governments to get serious about the issues of free-riding by online retailers of electronics who don’t adhere to waste compliance obligations.
Eunomia to review Nordic waste policies
Eunomia to review Nordic waste policies
By
Kate Dickinson
| 25 June 2018 |
Environmental consultancy firm Eunomia Research and Consulting will be helping the Nordic nations go circular with a new review into their waste management policies.
EU Circular Economy Package becomes law
EU Circular Economy Package becomes law
By
Rob Cole
| 20 June 2018 |
The EU’s Circular Economy Package (CEP) has been published in the EU’s Official Journal, meaning the legislation will enter into force at the start of July, 20 days after its publication.
Spain taken to EU court for waste management failures
Spain taken to EU court for waste management failures
By
Gethin Roberts
| 12 June 2018 |
The European Commission is referring Spain to the European Court of Justice after repeated calls to establish waste management plans went unanswered.
UK and EU must act to ensure continued trade of RDF, says industry group
UK and EU must act to ensure continued trade of RDF, says industry group
By
Rob Cole
| 7 June 2018 |
The refuse derived fuel Industry Group has called for urgent action from the UK Government and the EU to ensure that the export of RDF from the UK to Europe will continue unhindered after Brexit.
Zero Waste Scotland chief Iain Gulland becomes ACR+ president
Zero Waste Scotland chief Iain Gulland becomes ACR+ president
By
Rob Cole
| 1 June 2018 |
Iain Gulland, CEO of Zero Waste Scotland, is the new president of the Association of Cities and Regions for Sustainable Resource Management (ACR+), an international network of cities and regions aiming to promote sustainable development.
Reduce residual waste collections to reach EU recycling targets, says ESA
Reduce residual waste collections to reach EU recycling targets, says ESA
By
Kate Dickinson
| 30 May 2018 |
UK councils could meet EU recycling targets by reducing residual waste collections and increasing separate food waste services – but at a significant extra cost without government intervention, according to a new report from the Environmental Services Association.
EU proposes single-use plastic bans to combat marine litter
EU proposes single-use plastic bans to combat marine litter
By
Kate Dickinson
| 29 May 2018 |
The European Commission has proposed a full ban on some of the most commonly used and littered disposable plastic products in Europe, including single-use cutlery, plates, drinks stirrers, straws, cotton buds and sticks for balloons.