Government

Government minister calls for separate food waste collections
Legislation
Government minister calls for separate food waste collections

A government minister has stated that the upcoming Resources and Waste Strategy will “require separate food waste collections” in order to reduce carbon emissions and act as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion (AD).


Speaking at the ADBA (Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association) National Conference 2018 on Tuesday morning (11 December), Investment Minister Graham Stuart MP said: “We want food waste to be collected separately for use in AD plants – to make the green biogas... More

SEPA plans to make Scotland’s metal sector go circular
Devolved Governments
SEPA plans to make Scotland’s metal sector go circular

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has devised a new sector plan to make Scotland’s metal sector part of the nation’s emerging circular economy.

England’s recycling rate falls once again
UK Central Government
England’s recycling rate falls once again

England’s ‘waste from households’ recycling rate has once again fallen following an increase last year, dropping 0.3 per cent to 44.8 per cent over 2017/18.

SEPA releases landfill sector plan
SEPA releases landfill sector plan
By
Rob Cole
| 10 December 2018 |
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has launched a new sector plan for Scotland’s landfill waste sector in a bid to drive environmental compliance at sites, harness innovation and help the sector responsibly manage site closures and aftercare.
Bioeconomy Strategy aims to make UK world-leader by 2030
Bioeconomy Strategy aims to make UK world-leader by 2030
By
Rob Cole
| 7 December 2018 |
The UK Government has released its Bioeconomy Strategy, which outlines how the UK can build a world-class bioeconomy by 2030 and lead the way in easing the reliance on fossil resources.
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.
Biffa launches £250,000 initiative to tackle construction waste crime
Biffa launches £250,000 initiative to tackle construction waste crime
By
Kate Nicholson
| 6 December 2018 |
Waste management provider, Biffa, has invested a quarter of a million pounds into a new initiative in an attempt to improve construction waste compliance across Yorkshire.
‘World’s most sustainable straw’ in development
‘World’s most sustainable straw’ in development
By
Kate Nicholson
| 5 December 2018 |
A new design has been put forward for a renewable and biodegradable straw to replace traditional plastic straws often found amongst marine pollution.
Scottish lighting company develops circular LED business model
Scottish lighting company develops circular LED business model
By
Rob Cole
| 4 December 2018 |
Glasgow-based EGG Lighting has developed a new circular business model that could see businesses save on LED lighting, while reducing their carbon footprint.
Latest WEEE figures suggest UK may miss 2018 targets
Latest WEEE figures suggest UK may miss 2018 targets
By
Kate Dickinson
| 4 December 2018 |
The government has released the latest statistics on WEEE collected for recycling in the UK, which suggest the UK may once again fall short of its targets.
Northern Ireland recycling rate up 3.7 per cent
Northern Ireland recycling rate up 3.7 per cent
By
Rob Cole
| 30 November 2018 |
Northern Ireland’s household waste recycling rate has jumped 3.7 per cent to 48.1 per cent, leaving England’s recycling rate languishing behind those of the devolved nations.
Cardiff latest city to join the Refill movement
Cardiff latest city to join the Refill movement
By
Rob Cole
| 29 November 2018 |
Cardiff has become the latest city to sign up to the Refill campaign and provide free public access to drinking water in locations across the city.
New fines proposed for householders to cut waste crime
New fines proposed for householders to cut waste crime
By
Kate Nicholson
| 26 November 2018 |
Following its public consultation on proposals to tackle waste crime, the government is considering introducing a new fixed penalty for householders failing their waste duty of care. 
Separate-food-waste-collection-WRAP
Coalition calls for mandatory separate collection of food waste in England
By
Kate Dickinson
| 23 November 2018 |
More than 40 businesses, local authorities and trade bodies have called on government to introduce universal mandatory collections of food waste to boost recycling rates.
UK businesses unite to turn waste into wealth
UK businesses unite to turn waste into wealth
By
Kate Nicholson
| 22 November 2018 |
The Waste to Wealth Summit brings together 200 leaders from government, business, academia and civil society roles, including HRH Prince Charles, to discuss how industries can tackle waste – or better yet, stop producing it altogether.
Wales invests £5.4m in new reuse and recycling projects
Wales invests £5.4m in new reuse and recycling projects
By
Kate Dickinson
| 22 November 2018 |
The Welsh Government is investing £5.4 million across eight new projects to improve levels of reuse and recycling in 2018/19, Environment Minister Hannah Blythyn has announced.
Furniture Re-use Network rebrands to promote reuse concept
Innovative furniture reuse enterprise in Scotland making waves in circular economy
By
Kate Nicholson
| 21 November 2018 |
A new furniture reuse cooperative launched last month in Glasgow has drawn praise from the Scottish First Minister, whilst demonstrating that collaboration is key to circular economy.
Introduce levies on raw materials to boost secondary material markets, says Eunomia
Introduce levies on raw materials to boost secondary material markets, says Eunomia
By Resource |
21 November 2018 |
A new report by Eunomia proposes a system of levies and rebates to cut down on the use of raw materials in manufacturing and incentivise those producers that use more recycled materials.
Promote repair and reuse to increase fashion sustainability, MPs told
Promote repair and reuse to increase fashion sustainability, MPs told
By Resource |
19 November 2018 |
As part of the EAC’s inquiry into the sustainability of the fashion industry, designers and campaigners have called on government to better support repair and reuse of clothing and provide more information for consumers on the environmental impacts of their fashion choices.
Recycling Technologies to expand plastic recycling capacity with new facility
Recycling Technologies to expand plastic recycling capacity with new facility
By
Kate Dickinson
| 19 November 2018 |
Plastic waste reprocessor Recycling Technologies has formally opened its new facility in Swindon, which it says will triple Europe’s waste plastic recycling capacity.
Government review calls for new fines for mislabelling of waste
Government review calls for new fines for mislabelling of waste
By
Rob Cole
| 16 November 2018 |
The Environment Agency should be given the power to impose new fines on waste operators that deliberately mislabel their waste to avoid tax rules, according to an independent review ordered by Environment Secretary Michael Gove.
WasteAid wins funding for plastics recycling project in The Gambia
WasteAid wins funding for plastics recycling project in The Gambia
By
Kate Dickinson
| 16 November 2018 |
Waste management charity WasteAid UK will run a two-year plastic recycling project in The Gambia with government funding from UK Aid Direct.
UK Plastics Pact launches Roadmap to 2025 targets
UK Plastics Pact launches Roadmap to 2025 targets
By
Kate Dickinson
| 15 November 2018 |
The UK Plastics Pact has published its Roadmap to 2025, a document setting out how Pact members can achieve its ambitious targets to reduce plastic packaging waste.