Europe

Education pilot doubles amount of food waste collected in Ireland
Education pilot in Ireland doubles amount of food waste collected

Households in the Irish town of Sligo have more than doubled the amount of organic waste collected for recycling following a year-long consumer awareness programme, according to a new report released last Friday (1 February).


The report, launched by the Irish Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, Richard Bruton TD, presents the results of the national pilot scheme of the brown bin education programme carried out in Sligo.

Unite announces new strike dates for Birmingham refuse workers
Unite announces new strike dates for Birmingham refuse workers

Over 300 refuse workers belonging to the Unite union are set to strike for two days a week from 19 February in an escalation of a continuing dispute with Birmingham City Council.

EU microplastics ban could be in force by 2020
EU microplastics ban could be in force by 2020

The European Union could be banning a range of microplastics in products by 2020 – but critics say the proposal needs to be tightened up to ensure it will have “real impact”.

Gove raises prospect of waste stockpiling in the event of ‘no deal’ Brexit
Gove raises prospect of waste stockpiling in the event of ‘no deal’ Brexit
By
Rob Cole
| 29 January 2019 |
The Environment Secretary Michael Gove has outlined Defra’s preparations for the stockpiling of waste in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit in a letter to Lord Teverson, Chair of the European Union Energy and Environment Sub-Committee in the House of Lords.
France to force online retailers to tackle compliance free-riding
By
Rob Cole
| 27 January 2019 |
The French Government is set to introduce new rules obligating online marketplaces, such as Amazon, to ensure that the collection and recycling of waste arising from products sold through their sites is properly financed.
Countries need to become circular to avoid climate change, says report
By
Kate Dickinson
| 22 January 2019 |
The Global Circularity Gap Report 2019 states that only nine per cent of the world’s natural resources are being reused – and governments must drive changes in unsustainable patterns of consumption to avoid global warming.
EU paves way for right to repair
EU paves way for right to repair
By
Rob Cole
| 18 January 2019 |
The EU will introduce legislation obliging manufacturers to make their products longer-lasting and easier to repair following ratification by European environment ministries.
University of Sheffield to lead £3.6m circular economy project
University of Sheffield to lead £3.6m circular economy project
By
Kate Dickinson
| 10 January 2019 |
A new EU project led by the University of Sheffield is hoping to facilitate Europe’s transition towards a circular economy.
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.
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!
By
Rob Cole
| 20 December 2018 |
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.
Resources and Waste Strategy outlines government’s circular ambitions
Resources and Waste Strategy outlines government’s circular ambitions
By
Rob Cole
| 18 December 2018 |
Plans to introduce separate food waste collections to every household in England by 2023 and ensure producers pay for the costs of managing their waste packaging have been included in the long-awaited Resources and Waste Strategy.
FEAD cautions against Norway Basel amendment on plastic waste
FEAD cautions against Norway Basel amendment on plastic waste
By
Rob Cole
| 17 December 2018 |
A proposed amendment to the Basel Convention tabled by Norway has been criticised by the European Federation of Waste Management and Environmental Services, arguing it could negatively affect the European market for plastic waste. 
European Commission waters down WEEE repair proposals
European Commission waters down WEEE repair proposals
By
Rob Cole
| 7 December 2018 |
The European Commission has been accused of abandoning plans to make it easier to repair popular electrical consumer products under pressure from industry lobby groups, despite public support for better repair opportunities.
Carpet Recycling UK announces carpet waste landfill diversion rate increases to 42 per cent
Zero Waste Europe calls for carpet industry to go circular
By
Kate Nicholson
| 5 December 2018 |
Zero Waste Europe and supportive carpet producers are calling for the carpet industry to become a circular industry, by pushing for mandatory legislation across Europe.
Gove raids 400 staff from environment bodies for Defra Brexit preparations
Gove raids 400 staff from environment bodies for Defra Brexit preparations
By
Rob Cole
| 8 November 2018 |
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has been accused of having “raided” 400 staff from state environment bodies in order to plug gaps in Defra’s workforce in preparation for Brexit.
FEAD calls for simplification of EU Waste Shipment Regulation
FEAD calls for simplification of EU Waste Shipment Regulation
By
Rob Cole
| 7 November 2018 |
The European Federation of Waste Management and Environmental Services (FEAD) has called on the European Commission to simplify the Waste Shipment Regulation and harmonise enforcement across EU member states.
EAC criticises ‘woolly’ government commitment on future environmental policy
EAC criticises ‘woolly’ government commitment on future environmental policy
By
Rob Cole
| 6 November 2018 |
The government has been criticised by Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee for its approach to environmental policy post-Brexit, after it failed to commit to replacing EU legislation that cannot be easily transposed into UK law.
European countries at risk of missing 2020 recycling target
European countries at risk of missing 2020 recycling target
By
Kate Nicholson
| 25 October 2018 |
Fourteen member states at risk of missing the EU’s 2020 recycling targets have been provided with action plans by Eunomia to get back on track.
UK start-up wins top prize at European circular economy awards
UK start-up 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. 
Mining machinery at work on a large-scale excavation site
OECD predicts world resource use will double by 2060
By
Kate Dickinson
| 23 October 2018 |
The world’s consumption of raw materials is set to double by 2060, with devastating environmental consequences, according to a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
Defra still short of 1,400 staff ahead of EU withdrawal deadline
Defra still short of 1,400 staff ahead of EU withdrawal deadline
By
Rob Cole
| 17 October 2018 |
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is still short of 1,400 staff as the Brexit deadline of March 2019 approaches, having already recruited 1,300 new employees since April 2018.
Drowning in Plastic: BBC documentary explores dangers of marine plastic
Drowning in Plastic: BBC documentary explores dangers of marine plastic
By
Kate Nicholson
| 3 October 2018 |
BBC One’s one-off documentary delves deep into the consequences of our plastic waste and the severe impact it has on sea life, habitats and, subsequently, humans. 
New model needed to set ‘robust and realistic’ WEEE targets, says white paper
New model needed to set ‘robust and realistic’ WEEE targets, says white paper
By
Rob Cole
| 1 October 2018 |
Socio-economic factors and changes in product design should be considered when setting new WEEE collection targets, according to a new white paper commissioned by REPIC.