Sustainability

EU member states give circular economy package seal of approval
EU member states give circular economy package seal of approval

The final legislative hurdle to creating a more resource efficient Europe has been overcome after the EU Council approved the EU’s Circular Economy Package (CEP) in Brussels on Tuesday (22 May).

Which local authority is England’s worst fly-tipping offender?
Which local authority is England’s worst fly-tipping offender?

New research finds that The City of London has the biggest illegal rubbish dumping problem in England, with 238 fly-tipping incidents per 1,000 people.

Mayor of London targets 50 per cent cut in food waste in final Environment Strategy
Mayor of London targets 50 per cent cut in food waste in final Environment Strategy

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has presented the final draft of his London Environment Strategy to the London Assembly for consideration, with targets such as becoming a zero-carbon city and reducing the capital’s food waste by 50 per cent by 2030 among the proposals in the revised document.

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.
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.
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.
Inquiry into Renewable Heat Incentive finds multiple failures
Inquiry into Renewable Heat Incentive finds multiple failures
By
Kate Dickinson
| 17 May 2018 |
A government inquiry into the effectiveness of the RHI, designed to boost the uptake of renewable and low-carbon heating, found that the scheme has not lived up to initial expectations or provided value for money.
Avoidable single-use plastics to be phased out of the Houses of Parliament by 2019
Avoidable single-use plastics to be phased out of the Houses of Parliament by 2019
By
Rob Cole
| 16 May 2018 |
In a bid to reduce its plastic footprint, the UK Parliament has announced a series of measures aiming to ‘virtually eliminate single-use avoidable plastics’ from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords by 2019.
The recyclability of... plastic added envelopes
The recyclability of... plastic-padded envelopes
By Resource |
16 May 2018 |
Bubble wrap-lined envelopes are a staple of every office, but can this form of packaging be effectively recycled, or should alternatives be found?
From city to sea change
By
Leonie Butler
| 16 May 2018 |
Leonie Butler meets up with Natalie Fee of City to Sea to talk plastic and direct action.
Resource efficiency fastest way to cut carbon emissions, new report claims
Resource efficiency fastest way to cut carbon emissions, new report claims
By
Kate Dickinson
| 16 May 2018 |
A report from environmental think tank Green Alliance says the UK government needs to reduce the carbon output from the process of making and using products in order to meet its climate targets.
How much is enough?
How much is enough?
By
Rob Cole
| 15 May 2018 |
The UK currently lacks the infrastructure capacity needed to treat all of its residual waste domestically, but how much will we need in the future? As the debate heats up, Resource attempts to weigh up both sides.
Resourcing the Future 2018 under a month away
What to expect at Resourcing the Future 2018
By
Pat Jennings
| 15 May 2018 |
The Resourcing the Future 2018 conference is little under a month away, providing the opportunity to join stakeholders from across the resources and waste supply chain to discuss the industry's hot topics.
Cromwell Polythene helping councils boost organic recycling rates
Cromwell Polythene helping councils boost organic recycling rates
By
James Lee
| 15 May 2018 |
James Lee, Managing Director of Cromwell Polythene, explores the simple steps that can be taken to reduce food waste.
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.
Campaigners block NI incinerator plans after High Court ruling
Campaigners block NI incinerator plans after High Court ruling
By
Rob Cole
| 14 May 2018 |
Controversial plans for a new waste incinerator near Belfast have been blocked by a High Court ruling today following concerted efforts by campaigners and local residents.
Scottish Government appoints expert panel to tackle plastic pollution
Scottish Government appoints expert panel to tackle plastic pollution
By
Gethin Roberts
| 14 May 2018 |
Electoral Commissioner Dame Sue Bruce is to chair an advisory group established to provide Scottish Ministers with advice on sustainability matters.
EU ‘waste-based fossil fuels’ proposal faces growing opposition
By
Gethin Roberts
| 11 May 2018 |
Environmental campaigners voice concern as proposed revisions to the Renewable Energy Directive’s ‘waste-based fossil fuels’ regulation could see plastics being used as transport fuel.
New Edinburgh initiative to help SMEs go circular
New Edinburgh initiative to help SMEs go circular
By
Rob Cole
| 11 May 2018 |
A new initiative to help SMEs in Edinburgh identify and maximise circular economy opportunities has been launched today in a joint endeavour by Zero Waste Scotland and the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.
Government to consult on new environmental watchdog
Government to consult on new environmental watchdog
By
Rob Cole
| 10 May 2018 |
A new independent environmental body will hold the government to account for the environmental outcomes of its policies following the UK’s departure from the EU, Defra has announced.
Derry hands out free compost to celebrate International Compost Awareness Week
Free compost handed out to celebrate International Compost Awareness Week
By
Kate Dickinson
| 9 May 2018 |
International Compost Awareness Week (ICAW), now in its 24th year, is a comprehensive educational initiative by the worldwide compost industry to raise awareness of the benefits of organics recycling.
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’.