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UK plastic exports to Malaysia triple following China ban
UK plastic exports to Malaysia triple following China ban

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 HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) figures.


China announced at the start of the year that it would be banning imports of certain types of solid waste, including post-consumer plastics and mixed papers. This provoked panic in the UK recycling industry given that the UK – up until the start of the year – relied... More

174,000 tonnes of plastic packaging lost annually in Kenyan environment
174,000 tonnes of plastic packaging lost annually in Kenyan environment

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

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.
Hot 100 2018: Who are the leaders of the pack?
Hot 100 2018: Who is leading the pack?
By Resource |
6 February 2018 |
Our annual power list of movers and shakers in the waste and resources industry attracted a record number of votes this year. Here, you’ll find the winners from 100 to one, each accompanied by a voter’s glowing review. Read on to discover who has played their cards right and proved to be our Top Trump for 2018  
Minister plays down fears over China stockpiling
Minister plays down fears over China stockpiling
By
Edward Perchard
| 31 January 2018 |
Resources Minister Therese Coffey says that she ‘challenges the view’ that the Chinese ban on waste imports presents a crisis for the UK, but suggested that dramatic rules on packaging could be on the way.
Multinational firms sign up to $1.3 trillion circular economy initiative
Multinational firms sign up to $1.3 trillion circular economy initiative
By
Kate Dickinson
| 31 January 2018 |
The Factor10 initiative from the World Business Council for Sustainable Development, aiming to implement the circular economy across the world, has been launched at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting, with signatories from over 30 international companies.
Only nine percent of the world economy is ‘circular’, claims Global Circularity Report
Only nine percent of the world economy is ‘circular’, claims Global Circularity Report
By
Kate Dickinson
| 26 January 2018 |
With the release of the Global Circularity Report claiming only nine per cent of the world’s resources are cycled back into the economy after use, the circular economy is front and centre at this year’s World Economic Forum Annual Meeting.
EAC launches special inquiry into effects of China waste ban
EAC launches special inquiry into effects of China waste ban
By
Kate Dickinson
| 15 January 2018 |
With China’s ban on 24 types of plastic and paper waste in place from 1 January, and measures set to get stricter, the Environmental Audit Committee is calling for evidence on whether the UK is prepared for the impact.
How the UK recycling industry has been preparing for the China waste ban
How the UK recycling industry has been preparing for the China waste ban
By
Rob Cole
| 9 January 2018 |
China’s ban on the import 24 grades of solid waste has been known to the UK recycling industry since July of last year, so how have the major companies been preparing for the disruptive new policy?
Bold leadership from government needed on plastics in wake of China waste materials ban
Bold government leadership needed on plastics in wake of China waste ban
By
Rob Cole
| 5 January 2018 |
The UK government must take the lead in creating domestic secondary markets for recyclable plastic waste as China places bans the import of 24 grades of solid waste, says the Resource Association.
Bold government leadership needed on plastics in wake of China waste ban
By
Rob Cole
| 5 January 2018 |
The UK Government must take the lead in creating domestic secondary markets for recyclable plastic waste as China places bans the import of 24 grades of solid waste, says the Resource Association.
UK recycling industry braced for impact as Chinese crackdown begins
UK recycling industry braced for impact as Chinese crackdown begins
By
Rob Cole
| 3 January 2018 |
Chinese restrictions on imports of 24 grades of solid waste were adopted on Monday and are set to cause significant discomfort in the UK recycling sector, with the Recycling Association saying that stockpiled plastics are already building up in members’ yards.