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Deposit return: A tried and tested solution for Scotland
Deposit return: A tried and tested solution for Scotland

The Oxford English Dictionary defines ‘tried and tested’ as: ‘denoting something that has proven in the past to be effective or reliable’. Deposit return systems (DRS) are a tried and tested way of significantly increasing recycling rates while reducing plastic pollution and marine litter, which likely explains why support for such schemes has been gaining momentum all over the world as a solution to the problems caused by single-use beverage packaging.

EU member states give circular economy package seal of approval
EU member states give circular economy package seal of approval

The final legislative hurdle to creating a more resource efficient Europe has been overcome after the EU Council approved the EU’s Circular Economy Package (CEP) in Brussels on Tuesday.

The art of three weekly

As Wales leads the way in extending residual waste collections, Kate Dickinson learns how Powys went about introducing three weekly collections back in 2015 and how the council has fared.

No increase in recycling rates without funding reform, says LARAC
No increase in recycling rates without funding reform, says LARAC
By
Rob Cole
| 11 April 2018 |
A new policy paper from LARAC, released today (11 April), calls on the government to introduce direct charging for household waste collections and PRN reform to increase recycling and tackle the funding crisis crippling UK local authorities.
Government to introduce deposit return scheme in England this year
Government to introduce deposit return scheme in England this year
By
Rob Cole
| 28 March 2018 |
A deposit return scheme for drinks containers will be introduced in England later this year subject to the results of a consultation, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed today (28 March).
Government to introduce deposit return scheme in England this year
By
Rob Cole
| 28 March 2018 |
A deposit return scheme for drinks containers will be introduced in England later this year subject to the results of a consultation, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs confirmed today (28 March).
Everyday waste becomes 'trash art' in Norfolk gallery
Everyday waste becomes 'trash art' in Norfolk gallery
By
Kate Dickinson
| 9 March 2018 |
Waste and recycled material is given a new life as art in a show at GroundWork Gallery in King’s Lynn, the UK’s only gallery to specialise in art and the environment.
Circular economy legislation faces final vote after EU approval
Circular economy legislation faces final vote after EU approval
By
Rob Cole
| 27 February 2018 |
EU ambassadors have endorsed the provisional agreement on the four legislative proposals that make up the Circular Economy Package, including a target of a 60 per cent municipal recycling rate.
Hot 100 2018: Who are the leaders of the pack?
Hot 100 2018: Who is leading the pack?
By Resource |
6 February 2018 |
Our annual power list of movers and shakers in the waste and resources industry attracted a record number of votes this year. Here, you’ll find the winners from 100 to one, each accompanied by a voter’s glowing review. Read on to discover who has played their cards right and proved to be our Top Trump for 2018  
Government commits to zero avoidable plastic waste by 2042 in 25 Year Environment Plan
Government commits to zero 'avoidable' plastic waste by 2042 in 25 Year Environment Plan
By
Rob Cole
| 11 January 2018 |
The government’s war on plastic has been given top billing in its long-delayed 25 Year Environment Plan, with Theresa May calling for supermarket aisles to become 'plastic free' by 2042. 
Lyndex Recycling launches next-gen 2-ram baler range
Lyndex Recycling launches next-gen 2-ram baler range
By Resource |
10 January 2018 |
Five new balers produced by Telford-based Lyndex seek to provide power and versatility for modern MRF operators.
Packaging protected from national bans by circular economy agreement
Packaging protected from national bans by circular economy agreement
By
Edward Perchard
| 21 December 2017 |
The packaging industry is celebrating after EU negotiations ruled that packaging would retain its Internal Market legal base, making it harder for national governments to introduce unilateral bans for environmental reasons.
Are circular economy laws ambitious enough to meet challenges facing Europe?
Are circular economy laws ambitious enough to meet challenges facing Europe?
By
Edward Perchard
| 19 December 2017 |
Agreement on legislation designed to make Europe more resource efficient has been welcomed by industry groups, but with the caveat that reduced ambition in EU plans risks slowing down the transition to a circular economy.
Adjusted recycling rates reveal top recycling nations recycling far less than reported
Adjusted recycling rates reveal top recycling nations recycling far less than reported
By
Rob Cole
| 11 December 2017 |
Leading recycling nations may be overstating their recycling figures, with adjusted figures released by Eunomia revealing that the top countries are recycling over 10 per cent less than reported.
MPs urge Education Secretary to include Sustainable Development Goals in curriculum
MPs urge Education Secretary to include Sustainable Development Goals in curriculum
By
Rob Cole
| 8 December 2017 |
EAC Chair Mary Creagh has written to Education Secretary Justine Greening urging her to include the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the National Curriculum.
It’s time to vote for this year’s Resource Hot 100
It’s time to vote for this year’s Resource Hot 100!
By
Edward Perchard
| 22 November 2017 |
Voting for this year’s Resource Hot 100 is now open. This is your chance to vote for the waste and resources industry’s biggest influencers.
Cups, tyres and streets: start-ups developing circular solutions shortlisted for award
Cups, tyres and streets: start-ups developing circular solutions shortlisted for award
By
Kate Dickinson
| 20 October 2017 |
Six new businesses working towards sustainable, circular economy solutions have been named as finalists for the 2017 Green Alley Award.
Casepak handed 64,000-tonne Leicestershire recycling contract
Casepak handed 64,000-tonne Leicestershire recycling contract
By
Rob Cole
| 16 October 2017 |
Local waste management company Casepak has been awarded a contract to handle 64,000 tonnes of Leicestershire County Council’s dry mixed recyclables.
NLWA launches new campaign as a third of young North Londoners admit they don’t recycle
NLWA launches new campaign as a third of young North Londoners admit they don’t recycle
By
Kate Dickinson
| 12 October 2017 |
As research shows a third of young North Londoners don’t recycle, a new campaign goes back to the future in order to ‘Save Our Stuff’.
OPRL launches online tool to make it easier to label packaging for recycling
OPRL launches online tool to make it easier to label packaging for recycling
By
Rob Cole
| 5 October 2017 |
A new online tool has been developed by the On-Pack Recycling Scheme to make it easier to label packaging accurately for recyclability, and indicates the most recyclable material choices.
Gove launches consultation on English bottle and can deposit return scheme
Gove launches consultation on English bottle and can deposit return scheme
By
Rob Cole
| 3 October 2017 |
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has launched a call for evidence on how reward and return schemes for beverage containers in England could help to tackle the nation’s littering problem.
Desire for more information about recycling outcomes leading Recycle Week
Desire for more information about recycling outcomes leading Recycle Week
By
Edward Perchard
| 26 September 2017 |
Over half of the UK’s population wants to know more about what their recycling gets turned into, leading WRAP to using Recycle Week to highlight the transformation of household products.
Public increasingly confused and frustrated with recycling, says Viridor study
Public increasingly confused and frustrated with recycling, says Viridor study
By
Rob Cole
| 25 September 2017 |
The UK public is becoming increasingly confused and frustrated with the lack of harmonisation between recycling collections and difficult-to-understand labelling, according to a new Viridor study released today.