Europe

Italian Embassy employees celebrate new waste reduction initiative.
Novamont helping Italian Embassy reduce waste

The Italian Embassy in London officially launched a drive to drastically reduce its waste generation last week (12 June), building on the significant improvements it has already made.


The new ’Zero-Waste Embassy’ initiative, which has been launched in partnership with Italian bioplastics company Novamont and is the first of its kind among embassies based in the UK, will see the Italian Embassy seek to return all waste produced into productive circulation through recycling or... More

French law says companies can’t destroy unsold stock
French law says companies can’t destroy unsold stock

The French Government is set to ban the destruction of unsold non-food goods as part of new legislation on the circular economy, though concerns have been raised that it does not go far enough.

ZWE's proposed waste hierarchy
A new zero waste hierarchy for the circular economy

Circular economy network Zero Waste Europe has developed a new waste management hierarchy that it says puts the focus on resources instead of waste.

A sign for Defra, which is developing post-Brexit environmental policy
MPs fear ‘deficient’ environmental policy after Brexit
By
Kate Dickinson
| 26 April 2019 |
MPs have expressed serious concerns with proposed environmental policy after Brexit, saying that environmental principles are being ‘severely downgraded’.
Southeast Asian communities flooded with plastic waste since China ban
Southeast Asian communities flooded with plastic waste since China ban
By
Rob Cole
| 25 April 2019 |
A report by Greenpeace and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives critiques the “inefficient” and “predatory” system of plastic waste exports from wealthy countries to communities in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam. 
Non-implementation of environmental law cost EU €55 billion in 2018
Non-implementation of environmental law cost EU €55 billion in 2018
By
Rob Cole
| 10 April 2019 |
A new report by the European Commission claims that the total cost of not implementing EU environmental law came to €55 billion in 2018, and costs are set to increase unless action is taken to improve performance against environmental targets.
European Parliament votes to ban single-use plastics
European Parliament votes to ban single-use plastics
By
Rob Cole
| 28 March 2019 |
MEPs in the European Parliament have approved plans to ban some single-use plastic products and increase the collection and recycling of plastic bottles, with legislation to be implemented in member states by 2021.
Government warns waste exporters of ‘no deal’ Brexit port disruption
Government warns waste exporters of ‘no deal’ Brexit port disruption
By
Rob Cole
| 26 March 2019 |
The government has warned waste exporters to expect delays at container ports such as the Port of Dover in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, and says businesses should seek ‘alternative’ export, recovery or disposal routes for their waste.
Gove: No deal solution for environmental governance is ‘sub-optimal’
Gove: No deal solution for environmental governance is ‘sub-optimal’
By
Rob Cole
| 22 March 2019 |
“16 full-time civil servants” will fill the environmental governance gap in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a withdrawal agreement, a situation Environment Secretary Michael Gove has described as “sub-optimal”.
Welsh Government launches consultation on environmental governance post-Brexit
Welsh Government launches consultation on environmental governance post-Brexit
By
Rob Cole
| 19 March 2019 |
The Welsh Government has launched a consultation on Environmental Principles and Governance aimed at considering how to maintain coherent and effective environmental governance once the UK leaves the EU.
All areas of environment at high risk of damage due to ‘no deal’ Brexit, says Greener UK
All areas of environment at high risk of damage due to ‘no deal’ Brexit, says Greener UK
By
Rob Cole
| 13 March 2019 |
Greener UK states that the ‘increasingly ominous prospect’ of leaving the EU without a deal ‘poses potentially dire consequences for the environment, in the short and longer term’ across all areas of environmental policy.
Defra secures deal to roll over EU waste shipments notifications
Defra secures deal to roll over EU waste shipments notifications
By
Rob Cole
| 4 March 2019 |
An agreement has been reached by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs to maintain 100 per cent of the UK’s notified waste shipments to the EU in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit.
Education pilot doubles amount of food waste collected in Ireland
Education pilot in Ireland doubles amount of food waste collected
By
Rob Cole
| 7 February 2019 |
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.
Unite announces new strike dates for Birmingham refuse workers
Unite announces new strike dates for Birmingham refuse workers
By
Rob Cole
| 6 February 2019 |
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
By
Kate Dickinson
| 30 January 2019 |
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.