Litter

From city to sea change

If you live in Bristol and have an interest in the environment, chances are you’ve heard of Natalie Fee. She was recently awarded the title of ‘One of the most inspiring Bristolians alive today’ by the Bristol Evening Post and an honorary doctorate from the University of the West of England. That’s made even more significant when you realise that it normally takes at least 30 years of living in the city to be considered a local – having grown up in Southampton, she’s only been there for six... More

Hubbub swaps trash for treats in Forest of Dean
Hubbub swaps trash for treats in Forest of Dean

The anti-litter campaign #LoveYourForest and its Trashconverter van is returning to the Forest of Dean with a series of events to raise awareness of the problem of littering in the historic forest and surrounding area.

Industry says DRS must form part of wider waste strategy

The announcement this morning (28 March) of plans to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers in England has been hailed as a victory by plastics pollution campaigners, though many within the waste and resources industry have called for caution regarding implementation.

Government doubles maximum fine for littering
By
Rob Cole
| 29 April 2018 |
The maximum on-the-spot fine for littering and graffiti has been almost doubled from £80 to £150 as the government cracks down on this anti-social and environmentally damaging behaviour.
Defra to consult on litter enforcement guidance
By
Kate Dickinson
| 13 April 2018 |
The government has launched a public consultation on new stronger guidance for councils regarding the ‘proportionate and effective’ use of penalties for littering.
Marine litter: Don’t get carried away…
By
Chiarina Darrah
| 11 April 2018 |
With a new study appearing to show that plastic carrier bag litter on the seabed has fallen as a result of the 5p charge, Chiarina Darrah, Senior Consultant at Eunomia, asks what lessons we can legitimately draw from the data. 
Study claims plastic bag litter on UK ocean floor has fallen by a third
By
Kate Dickinson
| 5 April 2018 |
A new scientific study shows that the number of plastic bags on the ocean floor around the UK is dropping, which could be proof that the five pence plastic bag charge is having an effect.
EAC presses Chancellor on plastic tax commitment
EAC presses Chancellor on plastic tax commitment
By
Rob Cole
| 22 February 2018 |
Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee has pressed Chancellor of the Exchequer Philip Hammond, regarding his commitment to looking at fiscal measures to reduce single-use plastics.
California fights to tether caps to plastic bottles
California fights to tether caps to plastic bottles
By
Kate Dickinson
| 20 February 2018 |
Proposals to tackle plastic waste in California are being approved by the Assembly’s Natural Resources Committee but coming under attack from industry lobbyists.
Is embarrassment contributing to plastic bottle waste?
The Insider: What have PRNs achieved?
By
The Insider
| 20 February 2018 |
The Insider asks what the UK's producer responsibility system has actually delivered since its inception 20 years ago.
Royal ban on disposable plastics receives Queen’s seal of approval
Royal ban on disposable plastics receives Queen’s seal of approval
By
Kate Dickinson
| 15 February 2018 |
The Queen has given the royal seal of approval to banning single-use plastic, with the news that the royal estates will join the growing number of organisations to phase out disposable plastics.
‘No perfect way to measure litter’ as Defra creates stats dashboard
‘No perfect way to measure litter’ as Defra creates stats dashboard
By
Kate Dickinson
| 14 February 2018 |
Defra has launched an online litter dashboard to bring together a variety of facts and figures in an attempt to reveal the current state of the nation regarding litter and littering.
Work continuing on Welsh disposable plastics tax
Work continuing on Welsh disposable plastics tax
By
Edward Perchard
| 13 February 2018 |
Work is continuing on a disposable plastics tax in Wales, despite it not being chosen from a shortlist of four new taxes to be introduced by the Welsh Government.
Hot 100 2018: Who are the leaders of the pack?
Hot 100 2018: Who is leading the pack?
By Resource |
6 February 2018 |
Our annual power list of movers and shakers in the waste and resources industry attracted a record number of votes this year. Here, you’ll find the winners from 100 to one, each accompanied by a voter’s glowing review. Read on to discover who has played their cards right and proved to be our Top Trump for 2018  
New Environment Agency team formed to tackle plastic waste in South West
New Environment Agency team formed to tackle plastic waste in South West
By
Kate Dickinson
| 17 January 2018 |
The Environment Agency has announced a £750,000 investment for the creation of a dedicated team to address plastic pollution in the South West of England.
Government commits to zero avoidable plastic waste by 2042 in 25 Year Environment Plan
Government commits to zero 'avoidable' plastic waste by 2042 in 25 Year Environment Plan
By
Rob Cole
| 11 January 2018 |
The government’s war on plastic has been given top billing in its long-delayed 25 Year Environment Plan, with Theresa May calling for supermarket aisles to become 'plastic free' by 2042. 
25-year plan due this week as PM talks plastic to Andrew Marr
25-year plan due this week as PM talks plastic to Andrew Marr
By
Kate Dickinson
| 8 January 2018 |
Ahead of a speech on Thursday detailing the government’s long-term environmental plans, Theresa May has hinted at a potential five pence charge for plastic bottles.
The Attenborough affect: Google searches for plastic recycling rocket after Blue Planet II
The Attenborough effect: Searches for plastic recycling rocket after Blue Planet II
By
Sid Hayns-Worthington
| 5 January 2018 |
New research shows that David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II series was an effective catalyst for increasing public awareness of the environmental damage caused by plastic pollution. 
Innovative SeaBin that collects waste in harbours is first of its kind in the UK
Innovative Seabin that collects waste in harbours is first of its kind in the UK
By
Kate Dickinson
| 4 January 2018 |
The UK’s first Seabin is collecting debris, including microplastics, from the water around Portsmouth’s Camber Dock.
Packaging protected from national bans by circular economy agreement
Packaging protected from national bans by circular economy agreement
By
Edward Perchard
| 21 December 2017 |
The packaging industry is celebrating after EU negotiations ruled that packaging would retain its Internal Market legal base, making it harder for national governments to introduce unilateral bans for environmental reasons.
Bristol pioneering charge on single-use coffee cups
Bristol pioneering charge on single-use coffee cups
By
Edward Perchard
| 15 December 2017 |
Cafes located in buildings run by Bristol City Council will soon be placing a charge on disposable coffee cups to try and promote reusable cups and mugs among customers.
MPs urge Education Secretary to include Sustainable Development Goals in curriculum
MPs urge Education Secretary to include Sustainable Development Goals in curriculum
By
Rob Cole
| 8 December 2017 |
EAC Chair Mary Creagh has written to Education Secretary Justine Greening urging her to include the UN Sustainable Development Goals in the National Curriculum.
Gove sets out goals for a cross-sector plastic packaging plan
Gove sets out goals for a cross-sector plastic packaging plan
By
Rob Cole
| 6 December 2017 |
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has called for a cross-sector plan to tackle the challenges posed by plastic packaging at a ‘Plastics Roundtable’ with industry leaders last Friday.