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Malaysia and Vietnam follow China’s lead with waste import restrictions
Malaysia and Vietnam follow China’s lead with waste import restrictions

Both Vietnam and Malaysia have introduced import restrictions in response to the increased volumes of waste entering the countries in the months since China’s ban on 24 grades of solid waste – casting further doubt on the ability of other South-East Asian economies to absorb China’s lost capacity.


Last week, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc announced that the country would not be issuing any new import licenses. Vietnam is set to follow up its new restrictions with a... More

Flawed monitoring leading to overestimation of UK packaging recycling, says NAO
Flawed monitoring could lead to overestimation of UK packaging recycling, says NAO

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

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.
Shipbreaking bad: Inside the murky world of ship recycling
Shipbreaking bad: Inside the murky world of ship recycling
By
Sid Hayns-Worthington
| 20 February 2018 |
Unregulated ship recycling in South Asia is killing dozens of workers a year, with European ships flouting safe disposal laws through loopholes. Sid Hayns-Worthington takes a look at the murky world of shipbreaking
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.
Contamination in the USA
Contamination in the USA
By
Gareth Morton
| 20 February 2018 |
In the wake of China’s tighter import standards for recycling, the problem of contamination has been thrown into the spotlight. Gareth Morton discusses what the US is doing to tackle the issue – and what the UK can learn.
Mozambique landfill landslide kills seventeen
Mozambique landfill landslide kills seventeen
By
Rob Cole
| 19 February 2018 |
At least 17 people have been killed in Mozambique this week after heavy rains caused a 15-metre high pile of rubbish to partially collapse at a rubbish dump in Mozambique.
Nine people killed in China waste blaze
Nine people killed in China waste blaze
By
Edward Perchard
| 19 February 2018 |
Nine people have been killed by a fire at a waste processing plant in China, with authorities believing the blaze was started by fireworks residue.