Packaging

RECOUP conference push plastic industry to ‘seize the day’
RECOUP conference pushes plastic industry to ‘seize the day’ on plastic recycling

Plastic recycling charity RECOUP has announced it will be holding its Plastics Recycling Conference on 27 September 2018 and will be challenging delegates to answer whether the plastics industry has done enough to “seize the day” and make the most of the opportunities afforded by the explosion of interest in plastic waste.

Stuart Lendrum appointed OPRL Executive Director
Stuart Lendrum appointed OPRL Executive Director

The On-Pack Recycling Label Ltd, the not-for-profit enterprise that manages the on-pack recycling label scheme, has appointed Stuart Lendrum as its first Executive Director.

Applications open for 2018 Green Alley Award
Applications open for 2018 Green Alley Award

The European award for circular economy startups and innovators has launched a call for applications for this year’s competition ahead of October’s Berlin final.

Starbucks trials disposable coffee cup charge
Starbucks trials disposable coffee cup charge
By
Kate Dickinson
| 27 February 2018 |
A five pence charge for disposable cups will be trialled by Starbucks, in partnership with environmental behaviour change charity Hubbub, in 35 stores across London.
EU to legislate on single-use plastics by summer
EU to legislate on single-use plastics by summer
By
Kate Dickinson
| 26 February 2018 |
EU-wide legislation on single-use plastic is on the cards for this summer, according to comments by the European Commission’s Vice President Frans Timmermans.
Landfill vs incineration: what’s best for leftover plastics?
Landfill vs incineration: what’s best for leftover plastics?
By
Keith Freegard
| 26 February 2018 |
As China’s import restrictions see levels of waste plastic rise in the UK, Keith Freegard, Director of Axion Polymers, argues that low-grade materials should be landfilled rather than burnt for energy.
Government ‘dragging its feet’ over action on plastic bottle waste, says EAC
Government ‘dragging its feet’ over action on plastic bottle waste, says EAC
By
Rob Cole
| 26 February 2018 |
Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee has criticised the government’s inadequate response to its ‘Plastic bottles: Turning back the plastic tide’ report and lack of action of preventing plastic bottle waste.
Plastic Planet: focus on plastic waste for new WRAP campaign
Plastic Planet: focus on plastic waste for new WRAP campaign
By
Kate Dickinson
| 23 February 2018 |
A new plastic-focused campaign from the WRAP says the world is fast becoming a ‘plastic planet’ - and hopes to engage consumers to improve recycling rates in order to combat this.
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.
Ahead of the pack: An interview with Paul Vanston
Ahead of the pack: An interview with Paul Vanston
By
Edward Perchard
| 20 February 2018 |
As a huge year for resources kicks off with a plastics-heavy 25 Year Environment Plan, INCPEN CEO Paul Vanston talks to Edward Perchard about deposits, PRNs, Attenborough and how effective collaboration will pave the way for a greener future.
An eye on the markets: PET projections
An eye on the markets: PET projections
By
Martin Hargreaves
| 20 February 2018 |
Martin Hargreaves, Managing Director of Plastipak Europe, gives an update on the recycled PET plastic market.
The Insider: What have PRNs achieved?
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.
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.
Could Commission VAT plans provide a boost for secondary material markets?
Could Commission VAT plans provide a boost for secondary material markets?
By
Edward Perchard
| 8 February 2018 |
Products with high recycled content could be given lower VAT rates to stimulate demand in secondary markets, following a new proposal by the European Commission, says FEAD.
‘Our environment, our responsibility’: Mary Creagh calls for responsibility reform and attitude shift to waste
‘Our environment, our responsibility’: Mary Creagh calls for responsibility reform and attitude shift to waste
By Resource |
7 February 2018 |
Environmental Audit Committee Chair Mary Creagh spoke at the annual Kit Strange Memorial Lecture about the successes of the past year, the challenges ahead and the need to push the government for strong legislation on waste and resources.
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  
Urgent need for capacity sees planned Irish plastic recycling plant relocate to UK
Urgent need for capacity sees planned Irish plastic recycling plant relocate to UK
By
Kate Dickinson
| 1 February 2018 |
A new plastic recycling facility has been given the go-ahead in Warwickshire after Beauparc Utilities chose the UK site instead of Dublin, reportedly due to permit delays in Ireland and the urgent need for capacity.
Minister plays down fears over China stockpiling
Minister plays down fears over China stockpiling
By
Edward Perchard
| 31 January 2018 |
Resources Minister Therese Coffey says that she ‘challenges the view’ that the Chinese ban on waste imports presents a crisis for the UK, but suggested that dramatic rules on packaging could be on the way.
Co-op set to launch plastic-free tea bags
Co-op to launch plastic-free tea bags
By
Kate Dickinson
| 30 January 2018 |
Co-op will be the first UK retailer to roll out 100 per cent biodegradable, plastic-free tea bags in its own-brand Fairtrade 99 range of tea.
Should you put tea bags in your food waste bin?
Should you put tea bags in your food waste bin?
By
Sid Hayns-Worthington
| 30 January 2018 |
The majority of tea bags manufactured in the UK still contain non-biodegradable plastic, but can you still safely put them in your food waste bin?
Recyclable alternatives to plastic packaging win $1 million circular economy prize
Recyclable plastic alternatives share $1m circular economy prize
By
Rob Cole
| 24 January 2018 |
Five recyclable and compostable packaging innovations will share $1 million of funding after being announced as the winners of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Materials Challenge in Davos, Switzerland, designed to finding alternatives to plastic packaging.