Reduction

green shoots in soil
UNEP calls for ‘targeted solutions’ to reducing microplastics in soils

Yesterday (1 August), the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) released its Foresight Brief detailing the increasing problem of plastics in agriculture practices.


Earth Overshoot day 2022
Earth Overshoot Day arrives just one day earlier than that of 2021

Ecuador calls for ‘concrete joint action’ as humanity continues to overstretch natural resources

Big Plastic Count posters
Greenpeace report claims ‘insurmountable’ obstacles to recycling

Big Plastic Count estimates UK households throw out almost 100 billion items of plastic a year

University of Portsmouth logo
University of Portsmouth to host international plastics conference
By
Alice Lang
| 28 June 2022 |
‘Plastics Future 2022’ will take place November 2022 and host speakers from around the world 
baled plastic
ZWE publishes chemical recycling pledge
By
Amelia Kelly
| 17 May 2022 |
The paper calls for a ‘legislative framework based on precautionary principles, transparency, and social and environmental justice’ 
Incinerator
IPCC report calls for critical climate action to achieve 1.5C
By
Emma Love
| 6 April 2022 |
The body says that ‘all sectors’ have options to ‘at least halve emissions by 2030’
Houses of Parliament
Government aims to halve waste to landfill or incineration by 2042
By
Emma Love
| 17 March 2022 |
The proposed target will be measured against 2019 levels, estimated at 560kg per capita
Baled plastic bottles
UN nations agree to ‘historic’ plastic pollution treaty
By
Alice Lang
| 2 March 2022 |
The agreement aims to curb waste and forge a legally binding agreement by 2024
Collection of crumpled plastic bottles
Global plastic waste doubled in two decades, OECD report finds
By
Alice Lang
| 22 February 2022 |
The body urges international cooperation in an attempt to curb plastics consumption
smoke from chimney of waste incinerator
RMAS calls for ‘progressive carbon-based tax’ on waste incineration
By
Alice Lang
| 16 February 2022 |
The policy, the body asserts, would ‘incentivise efficiency and reduce carbon emissions’
Person placing waste in bin
Behaviour Change becomes subsidiary of WRAP
By
Alice Lang
| 26 January 2022 |
The two organisations have partnered to develop public behaviour interventions
Leinster House
Ireland reveals first national circular economy strategy
By
Kai Malloy
| 20 December 2021 |
Plan is key step in country’s aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 51 per cent
Organic waste
New legislation to see California compost all organic waste
By
Kai Malloy
| 1 December 2021 |
Legislation will demand that jurisdictions and businesses compost the material
Plastic packaging
10 per cent decrease in plastic packaging across UK supermarkets
By
Kai Malloy
| 30 November 2021 |
The UK Plastics Pact has noted progress amongst its members in achieving targets
Litter model
Eunomia reveals model for calculating litter costs
By
Kai Malloy
| 23 November 2021 |
Data will be used to promote inclusion of litter in extended producer responsibility schemes
Food waste
Food waste world’s third largest carbon emitter were it a country
By
Kai Malloy
| 16 November 2021 |
FareShare study found food waste responsible for 6 - 7 per cent of UK carbon emissions
Single-use plastic straws
Scotland to ban single-use plastics by June 2022
By
Kai Malloy
| 15 November 2021 |
The ban comes after a twelve-week public consultation, which concluded in January
WRAP UKRI Plastic Pollution Fund
£1.7m grant to cut plastic pollution across Global South
By
Kai Malloy
| 9 November 2021 |
Funding will be allocated to plastic waste reduction schemes in Asia, Africa, and Latin America
Waste unsold goods
Call to ban destruction of unsold goods
By
Kai Malloy
| 25 October 2021 |
European Environmental Bureau says practice contradicts EU Green Deal and Circular Economy Action Plan
Food waste
EUFIC urges action to reduce global levels of food waste
By
Kai Malloy
| 29 September 2021 |
On this year’s International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste, the body is demanding change
Food waste
WRAP publishes Food Waste Reduction Roadmap update
By
Kai Malloy
| 27 September 2021 |
The Annual Progress Report was published in partnership with IGD, outlining the progress that has been made and further action that needs to be taken
Meat waste
WRAP releases report on meat waste reduction
By
Kai Malloy
| 15 September 2021 |
The report summarises the results of WRAP’s Meat in a Net Zero World initiative, pointing to where further changes could be made
Plastic packaging
India becomes first Asian country to launch Plastics Pact
By
Emma Love
| 6 September 2021 |
The Pact aims to tackle the country’s annual 9.47 million tonnes of plastic waste