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EA to investigate waste plastics exports fraud
EA to investigate waste plastics exports fraud

An official investigation has been launched into claims of widespread fraud and system abuse in the plastics recycling industry, with allegations that exporters are falsely claiming for significant tonnages of plastic waste through the packaging responsibility system.

Drowning in Plastic: BBC documentary explores dangers of marine plastic
Drowning in Plastic: BBC documentary explores dangers of marine plastic

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

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. 
Thailand halts plastic and e-waste imports
Thailand halts plastic and e-waste imports
By
Kate Dickinson
| 3 July 2018 |
In the wake of China’s import bans it has been reported that Thailand is becoming a ‘dumping ground’ for electronic waste – and the country is beginning to fight back against the influx. 
Plastics and food waste to take centre stage at Scottish Resources Conference 2018
Plastics and food waste to take centre stage at Scottish Resources Conference 2018
By
Rob Cole
| 27 June 2018 |
Plastics and food waste are among the topics that will be under the spotlight at this year’s Scottish Resources Conference, set to take place from 3-4 October in Edinburgh.
Eunomia to review Nordic waste policies
Eunomia to review Nordic waste policies
By
Kate Dickinson
| 25 June 2018 |
Environmental consultancy firm Eunomia Research and Consulting will be helping the Nordic nations go circular with a new review into their waste management policies.
UK plastic exports to Malaysia triple following China ban
UK plastic exports to Malaysia triple following China ban
By
Rob Cole
| 19 June 2018 |
UK plastic waste exports to Malaysia have tripled in the first four months of 2018 following China’s ban on 24 grades of solid waste at the start of the year, according to the latest HMRC figures.
174,000 tonnes of plastic packaging lost annually in Kenyan environment
174,000 tonnes of plastic packaging lost annually in Kenyan environment
By
Gethin Roberts
| 19 June 2018 |
Report estimates that in Kenya 174,000 tonnes of packaging is either taken to illegal dump sites or left in the environment every year.
India to eliminate single-use plastic by 2022
India to eliminate single-use plastic by 2022
By
Kate Dickinson
| 7 June 2018 |
The Indian Government has taken an “unprecedented” step against plastic pollution in pledging to cut out all single-use plastics by 2022.
World Environment Day 2018: a call to action on plastics
World Environment Day 2018: a call to action on plastics
By
Kate Dickinson
| 5 June 2018 |
Today (5 June) is World Environment Day, which this year has the theme ‘Beat Plastic Pollution’, tapping into the growing global consensus against single-use plastics. 
Sale of Green Investment Bank contributes to fall in green spending, say MPs
Sale of Green Investment Bank contributes to fall in green spending, say MPs
By
Gethin Roberts
| 22 May 2018 |
New report claims that recent government policy changes have contributed to a fall of 56 per cent in clean energy investment.
New Zealand's going all green
New Zealand's going all green
By
Edward Perchard
| 15 May 2018 |
A splintered collection market, and landfill-friendly policy has put the green image of New Zealand at risk, but a new government and new thinking is offering fresh shoots of hope for a national turnaround. Ed Perchard reports
Global circular economy database launched to coordinate circular innovation
Global circular economy database launched to coordinate circular innovation
By
Gethin Roberts
| 2 May 2018 |
The landmark database will showcase over 3,000 worldwide initiatives and aims to become a significant tool in improving coordination of future circular economy efforts.
£61-million Commonwealth fund to tackle plastic pollution
By
Kate Dickinson
| 16 April 2018 |
The Prime Minister has pledged £61.4 million to tackle marine plastic pollution through a global alliance of Commonwealth states.
China launches latest customs crackdown on ‘smuggling of foreign rubbish’
China launches latest customs crackdown on ‘smuggling of foreign rubbish’
By
Rob Cole
| 7 March 2018 |
China has announced the launch of a new customs crackdown on the smuggling of foreign waste, entitled ‘Blue Sky 2018’, which will run from March to December 2018.