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India implements ban on imports of plastic waste
India implements ban on imports of plastic waste

The Indian Government has banned all imports of solid plastics waste as part of a drive to tackle pollution and littering.


According to government figures, India itself generates 25,940 tonnes of plastic waste a day, 40 per cent of which remains uncollected. This comes from a study by the Central Pollution Control Board, as reported in... More

Recycling 101: Targeting high quality in Taiwan
Recycling 101: Targeting high quality in Taiwan

Taiwan’s recycling rate is one of the highest in the world and the country secures an array of high quality material from households. Charles Newman visited an MRF to see what Taiwan is doing right 

WasteAid community recycling project in Kenya receives UK Aid funding
WasteAid community recycling project in Kenya receives UK Aid funding

Recycling charity WasteAid is set to establish a new recycling centre in Kenya after being awarded a grant from UK Aid Direct, the government fund for projects working towards poverty reduction.

Nigeria invests in WEEE recycling as UN highlights value in discarded electronics
Nigeria invests in WEEE recycling as UN highlights value in discarded electronics
By
Kate Dickinson
| 1 February 2019 |
A UN report published at the World Economic Forum says 250 million tonnes of e-waste could be produced annually by 2050, unless systemic change takes place to make the production of electronics more circular.
Countries need to become circular to avoid climate change, says report
By
Kate Dickinson
| 22 January 2019 |
The Global Circularity Gap Report 2019 states that only nine per cent of the world’s natural resources are being reused – and governments must drive changes in unsustainable patterns of consumption to avoid global warming.
South Korea latest country to ban single-use plastic bags
South Korea latest country to ban single-use plastic bags
By
Kate Dickinson
| 3 January 2019 |
The South Korean Government has banned single-use plastic bags, with potential fines of over £2,000 for businesses that do not comply with the new rules.
Taiwan rethinks raw material
Taiwan rethinks raw material
By
Charles Newman
| 3 January 2019 |
This autumn, Taiwan hosted its first trade exhibition and conference dedicated to the circular economy. Charles Newman reports on the innovations that reflect this new focus on managing the flow of waste materials into new products.
Nigeria's e-waste mountain
Nigeria's e-waste mountain
By
Valentine Iwenwanne
| 3 January 2019 |
As demand for electronic equipment in Nigeria continues to rise, what happens to it at its end of life is increasingly coming under the microscope. Valentine Iwenwanne examines the problem of e-waste disposal and the potential solutions.
It’s time to vote for your Legends of Waste in this year’s Hot 100!
It’s time to vote for your Legends of Waste in this year’s Hot 100!
By
Rob Cole
| 20 December 2018 |
Who across the waste and resources world has done enough to etch their name into the pantheon of greats as this year’s Legend of Waste? You can tell us now by voting in this year’s Hot 100.
FEAD cautions against Norway Basel amendment on plastic waste
FEAD cautions against Norway Basel amendment on plastic waste
By
Rob Cole
| 17 December 2018 |
A proposed amendment to the Basel Convention tabled by Norway has been criticised by the European Federation of Waste Management and Environmental Services, arguing it could negatively affect the European market for plastic waste. 
Recycling Association launches China quality export scheme
Recycling Association launches China quality export scheme
By
Rob Cole
| 12 November 2018 |
A new Quality Control scheme has been jointly developed by the Recycling Association and CCIC London in order to ensure UK shipments of waste paper meet Chinese export requirements.
Mining machinery at work on a large-scale excavation site
OECD predicts world resource use will double by 2060
By
Kate Dickinson
| 23 October 2018 |
The world’s consumption of raw materials is set to double by 2060, with devastating environmental consequences, according to a new report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.
EA to investigate waste plastics exports fraud
EA to investigate waste plastics exports fraud
By
Rob Cole
| 19 October 2018 |
An official investigation has been launched into claims of widespread fraud and system abuse in the plastics recycling industry, with significant discrepancies between the amount of plastic claimed for through the PRN system and the amount recorded as exported by HMRC.
Drowning in Plastic: BBC documentary explores dangers of marine plastic
Drowning in Plastic: BBC documentary explores dangers of marine plastic
By
Kate Nicholson
| 3 October 2018 |
BBC One’s one-off documentary delves deep into the consequences of our plastic waste and the severe impact it has on sea life, habitats and, subsequently, humans. 
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.
Norwegian proposal to place trade controls on waste plastics gains support
Norwegian proposal to place trade controls on waste plastics gains support
By
Rob Cole
| 7 September 2018 |
A Norwegian proposal to add plastic waste to the list of wastes subject to controls under the Basel Convention has gained increasing support following the 11th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Basel Convention.
London pledges to reduce landfill waste by 50 per cent by 2030
London pledges to reduce landfill waste by 50 per cent by 2030
By
Kate Nicholson
| 28 August 2018 |
London joins 23 cities in pledge to cut waste sent to landfill by 50 per cent and waste per capita by 15 per cent by 2030.
Malaysia and Vietnam follow China’s lead with waste import restrictions
Malaysia and Vietnam follow China’s lead with waste import restrictions
By
Rob Cole
| 6 August 2018 |
Both countries have introduced import restrictions in response to receiving increased volumes of waste in the months since China’s ban on 24 grades of solid waste.
Flawed monitoring leading to overestimation of UK packaging recycling, says NAO
Flawed monitoring could lead to overestimation of UK packaging recycling, says NAO
By
Rob Cole
| 23 July 2018 |
A report from the National Audit Office has called the UK’s packaging recycling rates into question, warning that fraud and error in the PRN system are not being properly monitored by Defra and the Environment Agency.
China uncovers nearly 1m tonnes of illegally smuggled waste
China uncovers nearly 1m tonnes of illegally smuggled waste
By
Kate Dickinson
| 19 July 2018 |
The Chinese Government has intercepted huge amounts of waste in the first half of 2018 as its crackdown on smuggling continues. 
Future of Welsh circular economy to be discussed at Cardiff seminar
By
Gethin Roberts
| 18 July 2018 |
The seminar will focus on the next steps in Wales’ Towards Zero Waste strategy.
China and EU sign memorandum of understanding on circular economy
By
Gethin Roberts
| 17 July 2018 |
The world’s two largest economies transitioning to circular economy practices could accelerate the adoption of these practices on a global scale.
UK performing poorly on three quarters of SDGs, report finds
UK performing poorly on three quarters of SDGs, report finds
By
Kate Dickinson
| 5 July 2018 |
UK Stakeholders for Sustainable Development (UKSSD) has produced a report examining the UK’s mixed progress towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals.