Sustainability

An image of a DS Smith hygienic box
Innovation
DS Smith develops hygienic boxes for essential deliveries

Fibre-based packaging company DS Smith has developed hygienic boxes to provide essential provisions and vital medications to those practicing social distancing or self-isolating during the Covid-19 outbreak.


Cassava waste.
Innovation
UK-India group develops compostable film to extend the life of fruit and vegetables

A consortium of UK and Indian businesses and organisations has developed a new compostable film designed to reduce food and plastic waste backed by Innovate UK and coordinated by the Newton Fund.

Ray Georgeson
Third Sector
Georgeson to take temporary charge of WasteAid

Ray Georgeson will take temporary charge of international waste management charity WasteAid once CEO Mike Webster leaves his post at the end of March.

A screenshot from Biffa's sustainability strategy
Biffa sustainability strategy plans to unlock £1.25bn in green investment
By
Imogen Benson
| 17 March 2020 |
Biffa has published a new strategy, entitled ‘Resourceful, Responsible’, outlining the waste management company’s long-term sustainability plans.
An image of green glass bottles
European container glass industry to reduce emissions with green furnace
By
Imogen Benson
| 16 March 2020 |
European container glass federation FEVE has announced an industry-wide project to build the first large-scale hybrid electric furnace that will run on 80 per cent renewable energy.
An image of Manchester Waste Aid walk
2020 Walk for WasteAid to take place in Bristol and Yorkshire
By
Olivia Rutherford
| 13 March 2020 |
The annual Walk for WasteAid will see fundraisers walk routes through Bristol and Bingley, Yorkshire, to raise money for WasteAid projects in Cameroon and India.
An image of Gloucestershire University's prospectus
University of Gloucestershire to stop printing prospectuses
By
Olivia Rutherford
| 12 March 2020 |
The University of Gloucestershire has decided to digitalise its prospectuses responding to student concerns over sustainability
A screenshot from the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan document
EU unveils Circular Economy Action Plan
By
Imogen Benson
| 11 March 2020 |
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 a J&B lorry
News in brief – 11/03/20
By
Imogen Benson
| 11 March 2020 |
A round-up of news from the waste and resources sector, including Renewi, Eunomia, PowerHouse Energy, Agrimax and J&B Recycling. 
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.
3D printing machine.
New project to turn waste plastic into 3D printing additives
By
Rob Cole
| 4 March 2020 |
Manchester Metropolitan University will lead on a new EU-funded project to turn single-use plastic waste back into valuable new plastic products.
An image of an anaerobic digestion plant
Biomethane could deliver 30 per cent of UK’s 2030 carbon budget, says ADBA
By
Imogen Benson
| 4 March 2020 |
A new report from the Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) has revealed that biomethane has the potential to deliver 30 per cent of the UK’s 2030 carbon budget. 
Pulp fibre use in bio-based products.
EU-funded project to explore generating sugars from waste
By
Rob Cole
| 3 March 2020 |
The VAMOS project will explore the commercial feasibility of generating waste sugars from household waste and using them to produce bio-based materials for a wide range of applications. 
Norwegian owners secure full ownership of Geminor group
News in Brief – 02/03/20
By
Imogen Benson
| 2 March 2020 |
A round-up of news from the waste and resources industry, including Cawleys Waste Management, Geminor, Peterborough Household Recycling Centre, Devise.Marketing and DS Smith. 
A packet of Andrex Washlets
Andrex wet wipes receive ‘Fine to Flush’ certification
By
Imogen Benson
| 2 March 2020 |
Toiletries company Andrex has received Water UK’s ‘Fine to Flush’ accreditation for its range of washlet wet wipes, with the certification logo set to be rolled out across all products from spring 2020.
Environment Secretary George Eustice
Environment Bill passes second reading despite MPs' concerns
By
Imogen Benson
| 27 February 2020 |
The government’s Environment Bill passed its second reading in the House of Commons yesterday (26 February). 
Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority has announced a £165,000 fund
News in Brief – 20/02/20
By
Imogen Benson
| 20 February 2020 |
A round-up of news from the waste and resources sector, including Reconomy, Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority, Veolia, Coveyer and TOMRA. 
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 plastic bottles of water
Zero Waste Scotland launches £1m project to ditch disposables
By
Imogen Benson
| 18 February 2020 |
Zero Waste Scotland (ZWS) has launched a £1-million pilot project to test alternatives to single-use disposable items. 
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. 
An image of plastic pellets
Viridor signs HDPE contract with P&G
By
Imogen Benson
| 17 February 2020 |
Viridor has signed a five-year contract with consumer goods group Procter and Gamble (P&G) for the supply of recycled plastic.
Plastic contamination in compost.
Study reveals compostables biodegrade ‘quickly enough’ in Dutch composting sites
By
Rob Cole
| 17 February 2020 |
A new study has revealed that compostable plastics biodegrade sufficiently quickly in Dutch composting facilities, though conventional plastics remain a problem.
Sharon Hodgson MP debating in Westminster Hall
MPs call for incineration tax in Commons debate
By
Imogen Benson
| 13 February 2020 |
MPs expressed concerns over the environmental and public health risks of incineration in a debate in Westminster Hall on Tuesday (13 February).