Retailers

Lidl latest supermarket to sell ‘wonky’ veg
Lidl latest supermarket to sell ‘wonky’ veg

Supermarket chain Lidl has started selling ‘wonky veg’ boxes at a discount, helping customers save money and cut waste at the same time.


Part of a new initiative called ‘Too Good to Waste’, each box contains five kilogrammes worth of fresh produce that is either ‘imperfect’ of slightly damaged, and will be sold for £1.50.


The boxes are being trialled in 122 of the the budget supermarket’s more than 700 UK stores, and Lidl has stated that the scheme could avoid 10,000 tonnes of... More

Ecosurety first compliance scheme to join OPRL
Ecosurety first compliance scheme to join OPRL

By signing up to the OPRL scheme, Ecosurety hopes to be able to offer its members a fully aligned service on the recyclability and labelling of their packaging.

Waitrose to run HGV fleet on biomethane
Waitrose to run HGV fleet on biomethane

Waitrose and John Lewis will be running trucks on renewable fuels this autumn as part of an OLEV-funded trial to see how using biomethane compressed natural gas can help to cut the UK’s transport emissions.

Theme parks offer incentives for recycling plastic bottles
Coca-Cola encourages plastic recycling at theme parks
By
Kate Dickinson
| 27 July 2018 |
Coca-Cola and Merlin Entertainments will be trialling 14 reverse vending machines for drinks bottles in theme parks next year.
Public input wanted for Scotland’s deposit return scheme
By
Gethin Roberts
| 25 July 2018 |
Zero Waste Scotland is running a series of nationwide public engagement events giving details on potential schemes and seeking feedback from Scottish citizens. 
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.
Global definition of plastics recyclability set to reduce recycling confusion
Global definition of plastics recyclability set to reduce recycling confusion
By
Kate Dickinson
| 13 July 2018 |
Two major groups representing plastics recyclers have developed a global definition of ‘plastics recyclability’ to eliminate confusion about what products can and cannot be recycled. 
Starbucks announces nationwide five pence coffee cup charge
By
Gethin Roberts
| 10 July 2018 |
The coffee chain will introduce a five pence paper cup charge across all 950 UK stores later this month to encourage the use of reusable cups.
OECD report urges governments to crack down on WEEE free-riding
OECD report urges governments to crack down on WEEE free-riding
By
Rob Cole
| 6 July 2018 |
A new report from the OECD has urged governments to get serious about the issues of free-riding by online retailers of electronics who don’t adhere to waste compliance obligations.
RECOUP cuts the confusion on plastics recycling
RECOUP cuts the confusion on plastics recycling
By
Rob Cole
| 4 July 2018 |
Recycling charity RECOUP has linked up with Norfolk Waste Partnership to prove recycling is in fashion through a programme showing how clothing can be made from recycled plastic bottles.
Mobile plastic-free supermarket aisle to tour Europe
Mobile plastic-free supermarket aisle to tour Europe
By
Kate Dickinson
| 28 June 2018 |
The ‘Mobe-Aisle’ was launched in The Hague by Ekoplaza and A Plastic Planet, designed to promote a plastic-free way of life. 
Leeds to host new Hubbub on-the-go recycling project
Leeds to host new Hubbub on-the-go recycling project
By
Kate Dickinson
| 27 June 2018 |
Leeds could soon be leading the way in ‘on-the-go’ recycling as it takes part in a new campaign with Hubbub to reduce litter and improve waste collection in the city centre.
Volvo to use 25 per cent recycled plastics in new cars from 2025
By
Gethin Roberts
| 26 June 2018 |
As well as promising 25 per cent recycled plastic in its own cars, Volvo has called on industry suppliers to collaborate for more sustainable practices.
Gatwick first airport to win ‘Zero Waste to Landfill’ accreditation
By
Gethin Roberts
| 26 June 2018 |
As Gatwick publishes its annual Decade of Change sustainability report, the Carbon Trust has praised the airport for its successful diversion of non-hazardous waste streams from landfill.
London’s first Circular Economy Week promotes sustainable business opportunities
London’s first Circular Economy Week promotes sustainable business opportunities
By
Rob Cole
| 25 June 2018 |
Last week saw the first ever Circular Economy Week take place in London, encouraging businesses, social enterprises and residents to find out what they can do to aid the city’s transition towards a more circular, resilient and resource-efficient economy.
MPs launch inquiry into sustainability of the fashion industry
MPs launch inquiry into sustainability of the fashion industry
By
Rob Cole
| 22 June 2018 |
Parliament’s cross-party Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has launched a new inquiry into the sustainability of the fashion industry.
Tesco ranked top supermarket for food waste prevention
Tesco ranked top supermarket for food waste prevention
By
Kate Dickinson
| 21 June 2018 |
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
By
Kate Dickinson
| 20 June 2018 |
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.