Reuse

An image of the HM Treasury building
Industry welcomes ‘game-changing’ plastics tax

Following yesterday’s (11 March) Budget 2020 announcement, industry stakeholders have welcomed the confirmation of the Plastics Packaging Tax, though doubts remain over the practicalities of implementing such a policy.


A screenshot from the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan document
EU unveils Circular Economy Action Plan

The European Commission has today (11 March) published its new Circular Economy Action Plan, outlining measures to ensure that products are designed to last longer and are easier to reuse, repair and recycle. 

An image of plastic packaging waste
Government ‘treating symptoms, not cause’ of plastic pollution, says Green Alliance

A new report from think tank Green Alliance has criticised the government’s plastics policy for ‘failing to deal with the root of the problem’.

Resourcing the Future 2020 Conference
INCPEN partners with Resourcing the Future conference
By
Imogen Benson
| 5 March 2020 |
INCPEN will be delivering the 2020 Resourcing the Future conference with CIWM, ESA and WRAP.
Repairing an electronic item
Repair Café Conference to launch new Carbon Calculator
By
Imogen Benson
| 5 March 2020 |
A ‘Repair Café Carbon Calculator’ is set to be previewed at the UK’s first Repair Café Conference on 12 March in Farnham, Surrey.
The Reuse Network Social Impact Report 2019
3.7 million items reused in 2019, says Reuse Network
By
Imogen Benson
| 19 February 2020 |
The Reuse Network has published its 2019 Social Impact Report, revealing that its member  organisations reused 3.7 million furniture and electrical items in 2019. 
An image of a Pure Lakes product being refilled
Pure Lakes skincare launches refill scheme
By
Imogen Benson
| 18 February 2020 |
Cumbria-based skincare company Pure Lakes is offering customers the option to refill their existing jars, tins and bottles. 
Plastic bottles of Coca-Cola
NGOs criticise Coca-Cola ‘single-use’ claim in letter to WRAP
By
Imogen Benson
| 5 February 2020 |
A group of seven environmental NGOs have sent an open letter to the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) raising concern over the use of the term ‘single-use’ in a Coca-Cola advertising campaign.
A multipack of Tesco own-brand tinned tomatoes.
Tesco to scrap plastic-wrapped tinned multipacks
By
Rob Cole
| 24 January 2020 |
Tesco has announced that it will be replacing its plastic-wrapped multipacks of tinned food with permanent multibuys to reduce plastic waste, removing 350 tonnes of plastic from its products.
Circle Economy's Circularity Gap Report
Global resource consumption hits 100 billion tonnes
By
Imogen Benson
| 21 January 2020 |
A new report from Dutch social enterprise Circle Economy has revealed that the global economy is consuming a record 100 billion tonnes of materials a year, while the reuse of resources has gone into reverse.
European flags
European Parliament backs Green Deal
By
Imogen Benson
| 17 January 2020 |
The European Parliament has voted to support the Green Deal for Europe under the condition that amendments are made. 
A #GrabYourCup poster in Manchester
Hubbub launches reusable cup campaign in Manchester
By
Imogen Benson
| 8 January 2020 |
Environmental behaviour change charity Hubbub has launched a new campaign in Manchester as part of its ambition to double the uptake of reusable cups. 
A screenshot of the 'Beyond Recycling' consultation document
Wales sets out plans for 100 per cent recycling rate by 2050
By
Imogen Benson
| 7 January 2020 |
The Welsh Government has published its new circular economy strategy, setting out the progress needed to reach zero waste, carbon neutrality and a 100 per cent recycling rate by 2050. 
The UK Plastics Pact Report 2018/2019
UK Plastics Pact members make progress towards 2025 goals
By
Imogen Benson
| 17 December 2019 |
The UK Plastics Pact has published its first annual report, highlighting members’ starting positions and developments towards the four targets. 
Paul Vanston, CEO of INCPEN
Is ‘partially good’ good enough?
By
Paul Vanston
| 17 December 2019 |
Paul Vanston, CEO of the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN), calls on the resources and waste industry to be bold in its actions to combat climate change and advance the circular economy in 2020.
How green is your Christmas tree?
How green is your Christmas tree?
By
Imogen Benson
| 13 December 2019 |
From rental to reuse, Resource explores how to choose a sustainable Christmas tree this year.
European Green Deal to include new circular economy plan
European Green Deal to include new circular economy plan
By
Rob Cole
| 11 December 2019 |
The European Commission’s European Green Deal includes proposals to introduce an EU-wide model for the separate collection of waste and rules on minimum recycled content, promising a step change in the EU’s approach to resources and waste.
No time to waste
No time to waste
By
Imogen Benson
| 11 December 2019 |
Local authorities across the UK are declaring Climate Emergencies, committing to reducing their carbon emissions to net zero. But how can their waste management contribute to that aim? Imogen Benson reports.
A repair cafe run by CAG Oxfordshire group Makespace
Oxfordshire sustainability network goes independent
By
Rob Cole
| 9 December 2019 |
CAG Oxfordshire (Community Action Groups Oxfordshire) is to become a community benefit society from December 2019, going it alone 18 years after it was set up.
An image of some batteries
Ecosurety launches £1-million environmental impact fund
By
Imogen Benson
| 28 November 2019 |
Environmental compliance scheme Ecosurety has launched a £1 million fund to support projects tackling the environmental impacts of packaging, batteries or waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE).
Green Party manifesto 2019
Green Party makes resources pledges to tackle climate emergency
By
Tansy Dando
| 20 November 2019 |
The Green Party has included a number of policies related to waste and resources in its election manifesto, such as extending repair services and promoting the sharing economy.
A kerbside recycling box.
Scottish Government reveals proposals for Circular Economy Bill
By
Tansy Dando
| 12 November 2019 |
The Scottish Government has revealed measures for its upcoming Circular Economy Bill and will now invite responses to a consultation to gather public feedback on the proposals.
An image of a reusable coffee cup
Refill movement expands to coffee and hot food
By
Imogen Benson
| 11 November 2019 |
City to Sea has announced that the Refill movement, which encourages people to use a refillable water bottle, is launching a new pilot with retailers including Costa Coffee, Morrisons and LEON that will show consumers where they can refill their coffee cups and lunch boxes.