Retailers

MPs launch inquiry into sustainability of the fashion industry
MPs launch inquiry into sustainability of the fashion industry

Parliament’s cross-party Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has launched a new inquiry into the sustainability of the fashion industry.


Announced today (22 June), the EAC, which considers the extent to which government policies and those of public bodies contribute to environmental protection and sustainability, is set to investigate the social and environmental impact of disposable ‘fast fashion’ and that of the wider clothing industry. In particular, the inquiry will delve into the... More

Tesco ranked top supermarket for food waste prevention
Tesco ranked top supermarket for food waste prevention

Tesco has come out on top in a list of the UK’s best and worst supermarkets at preventing food waste, compiled by food waste campaign group Feedback. 

Wales votes to ban microbeads
Wales votes to ban microbeads

Following a vote by the Welsh Assembly, plastic microbeads will be banned in personal care products in Wales from 30 June.

John Lewis to reduce waste by buying back unwanted clothing
By
Gethin Roberts
| 18 June 2018 |
A new app, developed in partnership with Stuffstr, will enable customers to sell their clothes back to John Lewis to be reused or recycled.
Understanding context key to tackling avoidable plastic waste
Understanding context key to tackling avoidable plastic waste
By
Gethin Roberts
| 18 June 2018 |
A new report published by Nextek and Resource Futures sets out frameworks for improving the role of the UK secondary plastics market, warning that many recent initiatives could ultimately detract from efforts to move to a circular economy.
Five things we learned at Resourcing the Future 2018
Five things we learned at Resourcing the Future 2018
By Resource |
15 June 2018 |
From marine litter and the UK Plastics Pact to China’s waste ban and the future of waste and resources strategy, here are some of our key moments from a busy two days of discussion and debate at CIWM’s Resourcing the Future conference.
Could you go plastic free for the oceans this July?
Could you go plastic free for the oceans this July?
By
Kate Dickinson
| 13 June 2018 |
The Marine Conservation Society is asking people to give up single-use plastics for the month of July in a bid to reduce plastic pollution in the oceans. 
70 per cent of hospitality businesses aim to reduce single-use plastics, says new report
By
Gethin Roberts
| 12 June 2018 |
BRITA UK’s report finds that while eight out of 10 hospitality businesses view reducing waste as a priority, especially single-use plastics, cost is seen as a significant potential barrier to achieving this.
What are you wearing? Hubbub launches new campaign targeting microfibre pollution
What are you wearing? Hubbub launches new campaign targeting microfibre pollution
By
Gethin Roberts
| 7 June 2018 |
Hubbub’s campaign #WhatsInMyWash aims to raise awareness of how our choice and treatment of clothing contributes to synthetic materials polluting our oceans.
‘Latte levy’ could cost £819m and risk UK jobs, says industry group
‘Latte levy’ could cost £819m and risk UK jobs, says industry group
By
Rob Cole
| 5 June 2018 |
The Paper Cup Alliance, which represents UK cup manufacturers, has claimed that a levy on disposable coffee cups could cost the economy £819 million and result in 11,000 job losses in the coffee retail sector.
Coffee chain Boston Tea Party bans single-use takeaway cups
Coffee chain Boston Tea Party bans single-use takeaway cups
By
Rob Cole
| 1 June 2018 |
Independent coffee shop chain Boston Tea Party has banned the sale of single-use coffee cups in its 22 stores from today (1 June), with takeaway beverages now only available in a reusable cup.
Coffee chain Boston Tea Party bans single-use takeaway cups
Coffee chain Boston Tea Party bans single-use takeaway cups
By
Rob Cole
| 1 June 2018 |
Independent coffee shop chain Boston Tea Party has banned the sale of single-use coffee cups in its 22 stores from today (1 June), a move which could result in losses of over £1 million.
Plastic-free shopping range launched in Glasgow
By
Gethin Roberts
| 30 May 2018 |
Having given £100,000 to fund store’s plastic-free range, Zero Waste Scotland is looking for more businesses with innovative ideas to combat packaging waste.
Britain’s school children recycle 2.3 million batteries in Duracell’s battery collection campaign
By
Gethin Roberts
| 29 May 2018 |
Duracell’s Big Battery Hunt aims to highlight the high levels of battery waste in the UK and encourage wider recycling by working with schools across the country.
UK food waste figures restated to fit international standard
UK food waste figures restated to fit international standard
By
Kate Dickinson
| 22 May 2018 |
The UK’s food waste data, setting out how much food is consumed, recycled and wasted across the country, has been restated by WRAP using new international standards of measurement, resulting in a reduction in the figure for overall household food waste.
Iceland to trial a reverse vending machine for plastic bottles
Iceland to trial a reverse vending machine for plastic bottles
By
Kate Dickinson
| 21 May 2018 |
Supermarket chain Iceland has added another first to its growing list of actions against plastic packaging with the news that it has installed a reverse vending machine for plastic bottles in one of its London stores, the first UK supermarket to do so.
Morrisons food waste figures reveal 11k tonnes of unnecessary waste
Morrisons food waste figures reveal 11k tonnes of unnecessary waste
By
Rob Cole
| 18 May 2018 |
UK supermarket chain Morrisons has published its food waste figures for the first time, revealing that 11,000 tonnes of food went to waste from its stores in 2017/18, while its food waste reduction schemes go from strength to strength.
Is embarrassment contributing to plastic bottle waste?
Princes to use 51 per cent recycled plastic in bottles
By
Kate Dickinson
| 18 May 2018 |
One of the UK’s key plastic bottle producers is set to use 51 per cent recycled content in all its bottles by September and wants to move to 100 per cent.
Iceland first UK retailer to adopt plastic-free label on packaging
Iceland first UK retailer to adopt plastic-free label on packaging
By
Rob Cole
| 17 May 2018 |
Supermarket chain Iceland has adopted the world’s first plastic-free trust mark, launched yesterday, to help consumers make more environmentally-conscious purchasing decisions.
Community Fridge Network to double number of fridges in six months
Community Fridge Network to double number of fridges in six months
By
Gethin Roberts
| 15 May 2018 |
The Morrisons Foundation adds £45,000 of funding to expand current network of community fridges by November.
Sainsbury’s drops food waste reduction campaign
Sainsbury’s drops food waste reduction campaign
By
Rob Cole
| 9 May 2018 |
The supermarket giant has allegedly dropped its ‘Waste Less, Save More’ food waste reduction initiative after its trial in the town of Swadlincote produced poor results, claiming its ‘customers’ priorities had changed’.
Government considering action on wet wipes containing plastic
Government considering action on wet wipes containing plastic
By
Kate Dickinson
| 8 May 2018 |
Following on from proposed bans on plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds, the UK government has revealed that wet wipes could be the next single-use product in the firing line.
AO recycling plant to process a fifth of UK fridges
AO recycling plant to process a fifth of UK fridges
By
Kate Dickinson
| 2 May 2018 |
Europe’s biggest white goods recycling plant has officially opened in Shropshire, capable of processing over 700,000 fridges every year.