Reduction

Novamont launches new bioplastics plant to boost production
Novamont launches new bioplastics plant to boost production

Italian bio-plastics company Novamont has opened its revamped Mater-Biopolymer plant to the south of Rome with a significantly boosted production capacity, going from from 120,000 to 150,000 tonnes per year.


The converted facility, which previously manufactured PET, will allow Novamont to increase its production of ORIGO–BI® renewable biopolyesters and MATER-BI® compostable bioplastics, which have been used to replace traditional plastics in products varying from coffee cups and... More

Consultation opens on English plastic straw ban
Consultation opens on English plastic straw ban

Plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds could be banned in England a year’s time, subject to the results of a consultation launched today (22 October).

Two people fixing a laptop
International Repair Day: Five organisations combating the throwaway society

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.

Sunderland City Council introduces new seafront plastic waste bins
Sunderland City Council introduces new seafront plastic waste bins
By
Rob Cole
| 19 October 2018 |
Sunderland City Council has launched a new partnership with container manufacturer and waste solutions provider Egbert Taylor to tackle seafront plastic waste.
INCPEN joins OPRL as latest guarantor
INCPEN joins OPRL as latest guarantor
By
Kate Dickinson
| 18 October 2018 |
The On-Pack Recycling Label scheme is continuing its rapid expansion as INCPEN joins its guarantors.
Tech solutions to the food waste problem
Tech solutions to the food waste problem
By
Kate Dickinson
| 16 October 2018 |
On World Food Day (16 October) we take a look at some of the tech companies making it easier for individuals and businesses to reduce their food waste.
Fashion bosses to be questioned over industry sustainability
Fashion bosses to be questioned over industry sustainability
By
Rob Cole
| 9 October 2018 |
As part of an EAC inquiry, fashion bosses will be asked to reveal the steps they are taking to improve the sustainability of their operations and reduce the environmental impact of the clothes that they sell.
Gove pledges £15m to reduce UK food waste
Gove pledges £15m to reduce UK food waste
By
Kate Dickinson
| 3 October 2018 |
The Environment Secretary has announced a new scheme with businesses and charities to increase the amount of edible surplus food being redistributed to those in need.
Food waste recycling key to reducing carbon emissions, says ZWS
Food waste recycling key to reducing carbon emissions, says ZWS
By
Kate Dickinson
| 28 September 2018 |
Zero Waste Scotland has revealed that food waste has the highest carbon impact of all waste streams in the country, calling for a move away from solely weight-based recycling targets to a metric that considers wider environmental effects.
Tesco tackling plastic bottle waste with reverse vending machine
Tesco tackling plastic bottle waste with reverse vending machine
By
Kate Dickinson
| 27 September 2018 |
Tesco has launched a trial return scheme for plastic bottles as part of a plan to implement a more environmentally-friendly approach to packaging.
UK businesses sign up to ‘world first’ food waste reduction roadmap
UK businesses sign up to ‘world first’ food waste reduction roadmap
By
Kate Dickinson
| 25 September 2018 |
Organisations from across the UK food industry have committed to a wide-reaching plan to get the country on the path to halving its food waste by 2030.
Co-op latest supermarket to introduce compostable plastic bags
Co-op latest supermarket to introduce compostable plastic bags
By
Kate Dickinson
| 24 September 2018 |
The Co-op has followed Waitrose with plans to cut single-use plastic bags from its stores in favour of reusable and compostable alternatives.
Compostable products to replace plastic in Parliament
Compostable products to replace plastic in Parliament
By
Kate Dickinson
| 20 September 2018 |
The UK Parliament has announced it will be using compostable Vegware products across its estate from October 2018.
Hubbub urges East Anglia to get savvy about food waste
Hubbub urges East Anglia to get savvy about food waste
By
Kate Nicholson
| 19 September 2018 |
Environmental charity Hubbub is running a new campaign, #FoodSavvy, to help residents in East Anglia reduce food waste, as the average UK family wastes £810 of edible food per year.
World’s first used-plastic bicycle path launched in the Netherlands
World’s first used-plastic bicycle path launched in the Netherlands
By
Kate Nicholson
| 18 September 2018 |
Dutch cyclists are using the world’s first bicycle path made of 100 per cent reused plastic, in an attempt to reduce plastic pollution.
Waitrose to eliminate single-use plastic bags by spring 2019
Waitrose to eliminate single-use plastic bags by spring 2019
By
Kate Dickinson
| 17 September 2018 |
Supermarket chain Waitrose has announced plans to replace single-use plastics bags in all its stores with reusable or biodegradable alternatives.
SUEZ outlines key principles for effective UK EPR regime
SUEZ outlines key principles for effective UK EPR regime
By
Rob Cole
| 14 September 2018 |
Waste management company SUEZ recycling and recovery UK has released a report detailing 10 fundamental principles for an effective extended producer responsibility regime for the UK.
Plastic-free aisle to appear at London international packaging conference
Plastic-free aisle to appear at London international packaging conference
By
Rob Cole
| 13 September 2018 |
A plastic-free aisle will be recreated at the Packaging Innovations 2018 conference in London today in a bid to encourage further reductions in plastic packaging in retail.
Carlsberg launches new sustainable packaging design in UK
Carlsberg launches new sustainable packaging design in UK
By
Kate Nicholson
| 11 September 2018 |
Carlsberg has produced a new environmentally-friendly form of packaging with NMP Systems called Snap Pack, which is estimated to save up to 76 percent on plastics.
Visitors to Putney greeted by array of plastic fished out from the Thames
Visitors to Putney greeted by array of plastic fished out from the Thames
By
Kate Nicholson
| 10 September 2018 |
Environmental charity Hubbub charity presents its ‘Catch of the Day’ to Londoners with a twist, replacing fish with plastic found swimming in the Thames.
Leading bottled drinks manufacturers commit to eliminating plastic packaging by 2030
Leading bottled drinks manufacturers commit to eliminating plastic packaging by 2030
By
Rob Cole
| 6 September 2018 |
A group of leading bottled water and soft drinks manufacturers have launched a report setting out a roadmap to eliminate plastic packaging waste from the bottled water and soft drinks value chain by 2030.
Second boat made from recycled plastic sets sail on the Thames
Second boat made from recycled plastic sets sail on the Thames
By
Kate Nicholson
| 4 September 2018 |
Environmental charity Hubbub launched a boat made from 99 per cent plastic waste last week to collect debris in the Thames.
Eunomia to run first conference deposit return scheme at RWM 2018
Eunomia to run first conference deposit return scheme at RWM 2018
By
Rob Cole
| 3 September 2018 |
Environmental consultancy Eunomia Research and Consulting will be running the first ever conference deposit return scheme for coffee cups at this year’s RWM show in Birmingham, in partnership with NEC catering arm Amadeus.