Government

UK Local Authority
Over £300,000 available for litter-fighting projects across Britain

Environment Minister Thérèse Coffey has announced today (15 August) that over £300,000 is now available for community projects aiming to get tough on litter.


The first round of funding announced a year ago saw a number of councils, charities, businesses and public projects awarded almost £125,000 to take innovative steps to tackle littering in their communities.... More

Europe
17 billion kg of fruit and veg wasted in the EU

A new study from the European Commission sets out targeted prevention strategies to reduce avoidable food waste from EU households.

UK Central Government
EA investigates companies for shipping 1,000 tonnes of illegal waste to Poland

45 containers of waste are being sent back to the UK after being intercepted by officials, while three firms are under criminal investigation amid reports of involvement with the ‘trash mafia’.

Food and drink carton recycling pilot launched in Cornwall
By
Gethin Roberts
| 14 August 2018 |
Seven Household Waste Recycling Centres across Cornwall will now accept cartons and paper cups for recycling, due to a new partnership between Cornwall Council and The Alliance for Beverage Cartons and Environment.
Industry group calls for tougher regulation to prevent waste crime
Industry group calls for tougher regulation to prevent waste crime
By
Kate Dickinson
| 8 August 2018 |
The group, made up of representatives from the ESA, CIWM and UROC, has set out its recommendations for the government in advance of the publication of its Resources and Waste Strategy.
Malaysia and Vietnam follow China’s lead with waste import restrictions
Malaysia and Vietnam follow China’s lead with waste import restrictions
By
Rob Cole
| 6 August 2018 |
Both countries have introduced import restrictions in response to receiving increased volumes of waste in the months since China’s ban on 24 grades of solid waste.
Compostable cups can now be composted in windrow facilities
By
Gethin Roberts
| 1 August 2018 |
The move, facilitated by compostable packaging company Vegware, means that both hot and cold certified compostable cups and lids are now allowed to be processed in any of the UK’s more than 100 windrow composting facilities
Three in four people confused about how to reduce impact of plastic
By
Gethin Roberts
| 1 August 2018 |
North London Waste Authority encourages people to ‘Wise Up To Waste’ and switch to reusable bottles, as new research shows that two-thirds of people say that they now possess one.
Zero Waste Scotland’s Circular Economy Hotspot to highlight progressive circular businesses
By
Gethin Roberts
| 31 July 2018 |
The international three day event held in Glasgow will feature sessions run by experts, along with sector-specific tours displaying the innovative work being done by Scottish businesses to become more circular.
Waitrose to run HGV fleet on biomethane
Waitrose to run HGV fleet on biomethane
By
Kate Dickinson
| 30 July 2018 |
Waitrose and John Lewis will be running trucks on renewable fuels this autumn as part of an OLEV-funded trial to see how using biomethane compressed natural gas can help to cut the UK’s transport emissions.
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. 
Dr Colin Church steps down as CEO of CIWM
Colin Church to step down as CEO of CIWM
By
Rob Cole
| 25 July 2018 |
Dr Church will be stepping down as CIWM CEO to take on a new chief executive role in the environmental sector.
The committee has added that the EEAO would need to be overseen by Parliament, reporting on a bi-annual basis, to ensure it remains independent. During its inquiry, the EAC heard from respondents, including Lord Deben, who warned of a history of environmental watchdogs (such as the Environmental Agency and Natural England) “being brought more and more under the control [of the Department]”. Creagh also warned that the government has “more experience of getting rid of environmental watchdogs than of setting
MPs call for ‘world-leading’ UK environmental watchdog
By
Kate Dickinson
| 24 July 2018 |
MPs in the Environmental Audit Committee say the oversight body should have legal powers to hold the government to account on the goals set out in its 25 Year Environment Plan. 
Six-fold increase in average fines imposed by Environment Agency
By
Gethin Roberts
| 24 July 2018 |
The average fine against a company has risen from £23,731 in 2013/14 to £147,575 in 2017/18.
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.
What will RWM do for our communities?
What will RWM do for our communities?
By
Nick Woore
| 20 July 2018 |
Ahead of RWM 2018, Nick Woore explores what the UK’s leading waste management trade show can offer local authorities.
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. 
China uncovers nearly 1m tonnes of illegally smuggled waste
China uncovers nearly 1m tonnes of illegally smuggled waste
By
Kate Dickinson
| 19 July 2018 |
The Chinese Government has intercepted huge amounts of waste in the first half of 2018 as its crackdown on smuggling continues. 
Viridor and Cardiff Council use picture book to educate children about marine pollution
Viridor and Cardiff Council use picture book to educate children about marine pollution
By
Gethin Roberts
| 19 July 2018 |
The two books, which are being used at 98 Cardiff primary schools, explain where everyday rubbish ends up.
Greens warn incineration will overtake recycling by 2020
Greens warn incineration will overtake recycling by 2020
By
Kate Dickinson
| 18 July 2018 |
A new report from the Green Party states that incineration could outstrip recycling in England in under two years if measures are not taken to curb the burning of waste.
Future of Welsh circular economy to be discussed at Cardiff seminar
By
Gethin Roberts
| 18 July 2018 |
The seminar will focus on the next steps in Wales’ Towards Zero Waste strategy.
Environment Agency warns of illegal waste dumping trend
By
Gethin Roberts
| 18 July 2018 |
The regulator has called for vigilance amongst landlords as criminals are renting properties in order to dispose of illegal waste.