Innovation

Google RL robots waste management
Technology
Google showcases AI-driven robots learning to sort waste

Carbon fibre recycling
Science
Asahi Kasei develops closed-loop for carbon fibre recycling

Rising demand for CFRC to dramatically increase the amount of waste product in coming years

Plastic packaging
Technology
Open standard for packaging data could be key to EPR success

Launched in September 2022, Open 3P is entering phase two of its development

human hair
Human hair used to clean Belgium's waterways
By
Amelia Kelly
| 11 January 2023 |
One kilogram of human hair can absorb up to eight litres of oil, the Hair Recycle Project has found
WEEE phones
New AI sorting technology to reduce battery fires in WEEE wins pilot funding
By
Amelia Kelly
| 29 November 2022 |
EU Horizon Programme to support demonstrator project for X-Ray detector innovation to identify WEEE containing lithium-ion batteries
Transparent wood
Transparent wood offers a sustainable alternative to plastic, study shows
By
Savannah Coombe
| 9 November 2022 |
The wood, made by replacing lignin with epoxy, has been identified as suitable for large-scale production
Peterborough
PECT and RECOUP conduct behavioural change trials in bid to increase reuse
By
Amelia Kelly
| 18 October 2022 |
The charities will work with communities in Peterborough to create tailored pilots that promote reuse schemes
sheets of aluminium
Novelis: Operations begin on aluminium recovery with Smart Press Shop
By
Alice Lang
| 6 October 2022 |
The aluminium processor will provide recovered metals to SPS’ automotive components plant
Food waste
Hellmann’s launches ‘Fridge Night’ app aimed at reducing food waste
By
Savannah Coombe
| 29 September 2022 |
The app is hosted by Liam Charles and aims to give practical advice to consumers 
worker inspecting recycled carbon fibres
New initiative to commercialise continuous carbon fibre reclamation
By
Alice Lang
| 21 September 2022 |
The NCC aims to bring a tested recycling process to industry within three years
workers at PFA replacement plant
Incinerator residue piloted as low-carbon cement component
By
Alice Lang
| 21 September 2022 |
Using incinerator residues, the alternative will cut costs and lower carbon emissions for construction
KIT lab
New project aims to commercialise holistic recycling processes for lithium batteries
By
Alice Lang
| 15 September 2022 |
LiBinfinity Project will develop a mechanico-hydrometallurgical process to maximise the recyclability of lithium-ion cells
scrap metals
New rare earth metals recycling plant to open in Birmingham
By
Alice Lang
| 14 September 2022 |
The facility will pilot a hydrogen-based process for reforming valuable magnets 
BDC biohydrogen technologies
BDC to join two new projects developing biohydrogen technologies
By
Alice Lang
| 5 September 2022 |
The two projects aim to decarbonise the UK transport sector with the use of biofuels
MiAlgae Biotech Startup
Biotechnology startup MiAlgae awarded £2.3m in private investment
By
Savannah Coombe
| 26 August 2022 |
The startup has developed biotechnology to produce a sustainable source of omega-3 from algae
Paper and cardboard packaging
DS Smith trials use of seaweed, cocoa shells and daisies for packaging
By
Savannah Coombe
| 25 August 2022 |
If successful, the materials will be used in the company’s paper and packaging making process
Plastic packaging
Specially-evolved enzyme degrades problematic packaging
By
Resource
| 24 August 2022 |
The PET portion of mixed packaging is degraded, leaving behind an easier product to mechanically recycle
waste plastic ocean bottle
New AI model detects and categorises marine plastic
By
Amelia Kelly
| 17 August 2022 |
The technology can differentiate floating plastics with 68 per cent accuracy
Max Recycle
Max Recycle partners with Advetec to unveil SRF plans
By
Amelia Kelly
| 11 August 2022 |
It will be England's first waste handler to do so, reducing disposal costs and CO2 emissions
representatives at landfill in South Africa
WasteAid receives funding to support circular economy in South Africa
By
Alice Lang
| 5 August 2022 |
With money from WRAP and UKRI, the charity will support recycling initiatives in Mpumalanga
e-waste recycling
New e-waste recycling method receives national award and funding
By
Alice Lang
| 5 August 2022 |
Researchers at the University of Leicester have received national recognition for their DES technology
Pile of flexible plastics
£10m project promises to capture plastic lost to residual streams
By
Savannah Coombe
| 28 July 2022 |
The three-year project will focus on recovering plastic packaging currently lost to landfill and incineration
tracing textile fibres
Tracer technologies central to textile sustainability, new guide claims
By
Alice Lang
| 27 July 2022 |
The document aims to demonstrate the advantages of the technology to textile manufacturers