Innovation

Barrels of Plaxx, the product created by Recycling Technologies from waste plastics
Technology
New ‘all-plastic’ recycling facility in the pipeline for Swindon

Plastics reprocessing company Recycling Technologies has announced a new partnership with Swindon Borough Council to develop a ‘first in England’ advanced plastics recycling facility (aPRF).


Recycling Technologies uses a chemical recycling technique – called feedstock recycling – to process plastic waste that would otherwise go to landfill or incineration. Using the company’s RT7000 machine, the plastics are turned into a crude oil equivalent called Plaxx, which can be used to make... More

It’s time to vote for your Legends of Waste in this year’s Hot 100!
Science
It’s time to vote for your Legends of Waste in this year’s Hot 100!

Who across the waste and resources world has done enough to etch their name into the pantheon of greats as this year’s Legend of Waste? You can tell us now by voting in this year’s Hot 100.

Bioeconomy Strategy aims to make UK world-leader by 2030
Bioeconomy Strategy aims to make UK world-leader by 2030

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.

Unilever invests in plastic-free laundry tablet
Unilever invests in plastic-free laundry tablet
By
Kate Nicholson
| 6 December 2018 |
Unilever intends to clean up the laundry industry by investing in a plant-derived washing tablet to replace plastic coated sachets.
‘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.
Innovative modular home provides solution to housing crisis
Innovative modular home provides solution to housing crisis
By
ZEDpod
| 29 November 2018 |
Innovative building company ZEDpod’s pre-fabricated modular homes could be about to make central urban living more affordable.
Costa to package new ‘smart cup’ in recycled coffee cups
Costa to package new ‘smart cup’ in recycled coffee cups
By
Rob Cole
| 29 November 2018 |
Costa Coffee has launched a new reusable coffee cup that enables contactless payments and comes in packaging made from recycled coffee cups.
WasteMaster reduces, converts and recycles food waste on site
WasteMaster reduces, converts and recycles food waste on site
By
Green Eco Technologies
| 23 November 2018 |
WasteMaster from Green Eco Technologies reduces and converts food and other organic waste, on site, for recycling and reuse as green energy and other useful products.
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.
Entries for European plastics group innovation awards open
Entries for European plastics group innovation awards open
By Resource |
20 November 2018 |
The European Association of Plastics Recycling and Recovery Organisations (EPRO) is inviting companies across Europe to enter their products for the EPRO Best Recycled Plastic Product Innovation and Sustainability Awards.
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.
Shelter for refugees built entirely from recycled plastic
Emergency shelter built entirely from recycled plastic
By
Kate Nicholson
| 13 November 2018 |
Ocean plastics initiative Waste Free Oceans has unveiled the first emergency shelter made from recycled plastic retrieved from the river Po in Italy.
Certification for UK company converting waste plastics to hydrogen
Certification for UK company converting waste plastics to hydrogen
By
Rob Cole
| 9 November 2018 |
PowerHouse Energy, a UK company pioneering hydrogen production from waste plastic and used tyres, has been certified by an independent technical assurance organisation.
The range of products accepted by TerraCycle
Colgate launches UK recycling service for toothpaste tubes and toothbrushes
By
Kate Dickinson
| 2 November 2018 |
Toothbrushes, toothpaste tubes and more could now be recycled in the UK after Colgate has announced a new programme in partnership with TerraCycle.
Nicola Sturgeon speaking at the Circular Economy Hotspot in Glasgow
Circular economy in Scottish regions worth £1bn
By
Kate Dickinson
| 1 November 2018 |
Reports from Zero Waste Scotland show how circular business practices could bring an economic boost of up to £1 billion for just two Scottish regions alone.
New emissions reduction technology to be fitted to Westminster waste vehicles
New emissions reduction technology to be fitted to Westminster waste vehicles
By
Kate Nicholson
| 29 October 2018 |
A new device will be fitted on waste collection vehicles in Westminster as designers promise it will reduce harmful emissions by 99 per cent.
New kitchen appliance can transform household waste into energy
New kitchen appliance can transform household waste into energy
By
Kate Nicholson
| 29 October 2018 |
A solution to household waste promises to save up to 1,200kg of carbon per year by converting domestic debris into energy.
Ditto Sustainability wins NHS Scotland waste reduction contract
Ditto Sustainability wins NHS Scotland waste reduction contract
By
Rob Cole
| 24 October 2018 |
Digital circular economy company Ditto Sustainability has been chosen to transform product reuse strategies for NHS Scotland through its artificial intelligence platform.
Accelerator programme launched for London’s circular economy entrepreneurs
Accelerator programme launched for London’s circular economy entrepreneurs
By
Kate Nicholson
| 24 October 2018 |
A new accelerator programme has been launched by the London Waste and Recycling Board, with a focus upon circular economy start-ups based in the capital.
UK start-up wins top prize at European circular economy awards
UK startup wins top prize at European circular economy awards
By
Kate Nicholson
| 23 October 2018 |
Uk start-up Aeropowder won the 2018 Green Alley Award last week for its innovative sustainable packaging material made from chicken feathers. 
Novamont launches new bioplastics plant to boost production
Novamont launches new bioplastics plant to boost production
By
Rob Cole
| 22 October 2018 |
Bio-plastics company Novamont has opened its revamped Mater-Biopolymer plant to the south of Rome with a significantly boosted production capacity of 150,000 tonnes per year.
Two people fixing a laptop
International Repair Day: Five organisations combating the throwaway society
By
Kate Dickinson
| 19 October 2018 |
To celebrate International Repair Day on 20 October, here are five organisations at the forefront of the repair and reuse movement, encouraging people to opt out of society’s throwaway approach to our belongings.