Materials

Eunomia bolsters EU presence post-Brexit
Eunomia bolsters EU presence post-Brexit

Environmental consultancy Eunomia Research and Consulting has announced this week (10 December) that it will be shoring up its European presence post-Brexit by opening a new office in Athens, Greece, while one of the company’s Directors, Joe Papineschi, is moving to Brussels to lead its European operations.

Ecosurety and Danone partnership to increase UK recycling investment
Plastic
Ecosurety and Danone partnership to increase UK recycling investment

Global food and beverage company Danone has announced a three-year partnership with Ecosurety that will see the compliance scheme manage its packaging and waste recycling obligations in the UK.

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

Graham Stuart MP 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.

SEPA plans to make Scotland’s metal sector go circular
SEPA plans to make Scotland’s metal sector go circular
By
Kate Nicholson
| 12 December 2018 |
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
England’s recycling rate falls once again
By
Rob Cole
| 12 December 2018 |
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.
Casepak gains health and safety certification
Casepak gains health and safety certification
By
Casepak
| 10 December 2018 |
Family-run company Casepak is one of the first-ever recycling companies to have been awarded the new ISO 45001 health and safety certification.
Ward takes home two wins at family business awards
Ward takes home two wins at family business awards
By
Ward
| 10 December 2018 |
Midlands-based metal recycling and waste management specialist, Ward, has been awarded ‘Fastest Growing Family Business’ and the top accolade, ‘Family Business of the Year’ in this year’s Midlands Family Business Awards.
Hubbub’s plastic fishing boats go on tour
By
Kate Dickinson
| 7 December 2018 |
Environmental behaviour change charity Hubbub is extending its ‘plastic fishing’ project with funding from Starbucks to collect plastic and litter from waterways around the UK. 
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.
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.
Carpet Recycling UK announces carpet waste landfill diversion rate increases to 42 per cent
Zero Waste Europe calls for carpet industry to go circular
By
Kate Nicholson
| 5 December 2018 |
Zero Waste Europe and supportive carpet producers are calling for the carpet industry to become a circular industry, by pushing for mandatory legislation across Europe.
‘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.
New recycling scheme for pet food packaging
New recycling scheme for pet food packaging
By
Kate Dickinson
| 30 November 2018 |
TerraCycle has launched a recycling scheme for pet food pouches and flexible packaging.
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.
Veolia opens up funding for Merseyside waste and recycling projects
Veolia opens up funding for Merseyside waste and recycling projects
By
Kate Nicholson
| 27 November 2018 |
A share of £115,000 from Veolia’s latest Community Fund is available for local community groups in Merseyside and Halton looking to prevent waste and improve recycling.
Plasma technology retrieves precious metals from e-waste
Plasma technology retrieves precious metals from e-waste
By
Kate Nicholson
| 27 November 2018 |
Tetronics International is aiming to address the growing issue of electronic waste by using plasma to recover precious metals from the debris. 
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. 
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.