Innovation

Design
Resource Association’s awards celebrate recycling achievements

The recipients of the Resource Association’s annual Quality Recognition Awards were announced during the association’s summer lecture, held at the National Liberal Club in London on 16 July.


The awards celebrate high quality recycling delivered to reprocessors, highlighting innovation and achievement in the recycling supply chain.

Future of Welsh circular economy to be discussed at Cardiff seminar

The seminar will focus on the next steps in Wales’ Towards Zero Waste strategy.

Technology
University of Northampton launches waste management postgraduate course

The new hands-on Master’s degree is aimed at those wanting to begin or progress their careers in the waste and resources management industry.

Ministers meet to discuss UK-wide deposit return scheme
Ministers meet to discuss UK-wide deposit return scheme
By
Rob Cole
| 9 July 2018 |
Ministers from the UK, Welsh and Scottish Governments, as well as officials from Northern Ireland, met on 6 July to discuss plans for a collective deposit return scheme for drinks containers that would operate in all nations of the UK.
Scottish Government opens public consultation on deposit return
Scottish Government opens public consultation on deposit return
By
Rob Cole
| 2 July 2018 |
The Scottish Government has launched a public consultation on a deposit return scheme (DRS) for Scotland to gather stakeholder opinions on how such a scheme for Scotland should work.
Mobile plastic-free supermarket aisle to tour Europe
Mobile plastic-free supermarket aisle to tour Europe
By
Kate Dickinson
| 28 June 2018 |
The ‘Mobe-Aisle’ was launched in The Hague by Ekoplaza and A Plastic Planet, designed to promote a plastic-free way of life. 
Plastics and food waste to take centre stage at Scottish Resources Conference 2018
Plastics and food waste to take centre stage at Scottish Resources Conference 2018
By
Rob Cole
| 27 June 2018 |
Plastics and food waste are among the topics that will be under the spotlight at this year’s Scottish Resources Conference, set to take place from 3-4 October in Edinburgh.
Leeds to host new Hubbub on-the-go recycling project
Leeds to host new Hubbub on-the-go recycling project
By
Kate Dickinson
| 27 June 2018 |
Leeds could soon be leading the way in ‘on-the-go’ recycling as it takes part in a new campaign with Hubbub to reduce litter and improve waste collection in the city centre.
Volvo to use 25 per cent recycled plastics in new cars from 2025
By
Gethin Roberts
| 26 June 2018 |
As well as promising 25 per cent recycled plastic in its own cars, Volvo has called on industry suppliers to collaborate for more sustainable practices.
Gatwick first airport to win ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ accreditation
By
Gethin Roberts
| 26 June 2018 |
As Gatwick publishes its annual Decade of Change sustainability report, the Carbon Trust has praised the airport for its successful diversion of non-hazardous waste streams from landfill.
London’s first Circular Economy Week promotes sustainable business opportunities
London’s first Circular Economy Week promotes sustainable business opportunities
By
Rob Cole
| 25 June 2018 |
Last week saw the first ever Circular Economy Week take place in London, encouraging businesses, social enterprises and residents to find out what they can do to aid the city’s transition towards a more circular, resilient and resource-efficient economy.
MPs launch inquiry into sustainability of the fashion industry
MPs launch inquiry into sustainability of the fashion industry
By
Rob Cole
| 22 June 2018 |
Parliament’s cross-party Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has launched a new inquiry into the sustainability of the fashion industry.
£20m government fund for plastics research and innovation
£20m government fund for plastics research and innovation
By
Kate Dickinson
| 21 June 2018 |
The government has announced a new £20-million Plastics Research and Innovation Fund to develop cutting-edge and circular approaches to plastics manufacturing in the UK.
Understanding context key to tackling avoidable plastic waste
Understanding context key to tackling avoidable plastic waste
By
Gethin Roberts
| 18 June 2018 |
A new report published by Nextek and Resource Futures sets out frameworks for improving the role of the UK secondary plastics market, warning that many recent initiatives could ultimately detract from efforts to move to a circular economy.
Five things we learned at Resourcing the Future 2018
Five things we learned at Resourcing the Future 2018
By Resource |
15 June 2018 |
From marine litter and the UK Plastics Pact to China’s waste ban and the future of waste and resources strategy, here are some of our key moments from a busy two days of discussion and debate at CIWM’s Resourcing the Future conference.
New plastics recycling partnership launched as cost of Scotland’s packaging waste hits £11m
New plastics recycling partnership launched as cost of Scotland’s packaging waste hits £11m
By
Kate Dickinson
| 6 June 2018 |
A new £3-million plastics recycling partnership aims to tackle Scotland’s packaging waste, which was recently revealed to cost local authorities more than £11 million a year.
EU proposes single-use plastic bans to combat marine litter
EU proposes single-use plastic bans to combat marine litter
By
Kate Dickinson
| 29 May 2018 |
The European Commission has proposed a full ban on some of the most commonly used and littered disposable plastic products in Europe, including single-use cutlery, plates, drinks stirrers, straws, cotton buds and sticks for balloons.
Sale of Green Investment Bank contributes to fall in green spending, say MPs
Sale of Green Investment Bank contributes to fall in green spending, say MPs
By
Gethin Roberts
| 22 May 2018 |
New report claims that recent government policy changes have contributed to a fall of 56 per cent in clean energy investment.
Is embarrassment contributing to plastic bottle waste?
Princes to use 51 per cent recycled plastic in bottles
By
Kate Dickinson
| 18 May 2018 |
One of the UK’s key plastic bottle producers is set to use 51 per cent recycled content in all its bottles by September and wants to move to 100 per cent.
Cromwell Polythene helping councils boost organic recycling rates
Cromwell Polythene helping councils boost organic recycling rates
By
James Lee
| 15 May 2018 |
James Lee, Managing Director of Cromwell Polythene, explores the simple steps that can be taken to reduce food waste.
Innovative bio-based materials up for award
Innovative bio-based materials up for award
By
Kate Dickinson
| 3 May 2018 |
Six innovative bio-based products using materials including cellulose, soy beans and watermelon sugars are on the shortlist for the 2018 Bio-based Material of the Year award.
Global circular economy database launched to coordinate circular innovation
Global circular economy database launched to coordinate circular innovation
By
Gethin Roberts
| 2 May 2018 |
The landmark database will showcase over 3,000 worldwide initiatives and aims to become a significant tool in improving coordination of future circular economy efforts.
Compostable alternative to plastic packaging uses wool as insulation
Compostable alternative to plastic packaging uses wool as insulation
By
Kate Dickinson
| 1 May 2018 |
Woolcool is a packaging innovation for the transport of temperature-sensitive items from the food and pharmaceutical sectors, using wool in place of polystyrene, bubble wrap, gel packs or other non-recyclable insulating materials.