Sustainability

Wales: Leading the recycling world?
Wales: Leading the recycling world?

Wales has been recognised as one of the world’s leading recyclers, coming first amongst UK nations, second in Europe and third globally, according to its own reported statistics. The path to this achievement is remarkable, but of even greater interest will be the future of such a small nation in maintaining its leadership role – and in doing so, developing new pathways for materials recovery and new concepts for old products.

Carbon Index 2018: Welsh councils come out on top for carbon reduction
Climate Change
Carbon Index 2018: Welsh councils come out on top for carbon reduction

Simon Hann presents summary findings from Eunomia’s sixth annual Local Authority Recycling Carbon Index, highlighting the contribution of councils’ recycling services towards mitigating climate change.

Compostable products to replace plastic in Parliament
Compostable products to replace plastic in Parliament

The UK Parliament has announced it will be using compostable Vegware products across its estate from October 2018.

Waitrose to eliminate single-use plastic bags by spring 2019
Waitrose to eliminate single-use plastic bags by spring 2019
By
Kate Dickinson
| 17 September 2018 |
Supermarket chain Waitrose has announced plans to replace single-use plastics bags in all its stores with reusable or biodegradable alternatives.
Five of the best new products at RWM 2018
Five of the best new products at RWM 2018
By
Resource
| 14 September 2018 |
RWM 2018 saw two days of exhibits and talks displaying some of the latest innovations in the waste and resources sector. Here are five of the best new products that piqued our interest.
Car battery recycling: Staying in charge
Car battery recycling: Staying in charge
By
Giles Kirkland
| 14 September 2018 |
Giles Kirkland examines what the changing automotive industry means for car battery recycling in the UK.
SUEZ outlines key principles for effective UK EPR regime
SUEZ outlines key principles for effective UK EPR regime
By
Rob Cole
| 14 September 2018 |
Waste management company SUEZ recycling and recovery UK has released a report detailing 10 fundamental principles for an effective extended producer responsibility regime for the UK.
Ecosurety and Recycling Technologies announce deal to roll out new plastic waste technology
Ecosurety and Recycling Technologies announce deal to roll out new plastic waste technology
By
Rob Cole
| 13 September 2018 |
UK compliance scheme Ecosurety has announced a new deal with plastic waste chemical recycling specialists Recycling Technologies, which it hopes will accelerate the commercial roll-out of an innovative technology to improve the scope and capacity of plastic recycling in the UK.
The Ocean Cleanup project begins final deployment
The Ocean Cleanup project begins final deployment
By
Kate Nicholson
| 13 September 2018 |
The Ocean Cleanup, after five years of research and testing, has launched its marine plastic extraction system in an attempt to cleanse the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Plastic-free aisle to appear at London international packaging conference
Plastic-free aisle to appear at London international packaging conference
By
Rob Cole
| 13 September 2018 |
A plastic-free aisle will be recreated at the Packaging Innovations 2018 conference in London today in a bid to encourage further reductions in plastic packaging in retail.
Eunomia continues to expand with new consultants in UK and New York
Eunomia continues to expand with new consultants in UK and New York
By
Kate Nicholson
| 11 September 2018 |
Environmental consultancy Eunomia continues its growth with seven new UK-based consultants and a new environmental consultant for its New York office.
Carlsberg launches new sustainable packaging design in UK
Carlsberg launches new sustainable packaging design in UK
By
Kate Nicholson
| 11 September 2018 |
Carlsberg has produced a new environmentally-friendly form of packaging with NMP Systems called Snap Pack, which is estimated to save up to 76 percent on plastics.
Norwegian proposal to place trade controls on waste plastics gains support
Norwegian proposal to place trade controls on waste plastics gains support
By
Rob Cole
| 7 September 2018 |
A Norwegian proposal to add plastic waste to the list of wastes subject to controls under the Basel Convention has gained increasing support following the 11th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Basel Convention.
Greater Manchester sees 144 fly-tipping incidents every day
Greater Manchester sees 144 fly-tipping incidents every day
By
Rob Cole
| 6 September 2018 |
New research reveals that 144 incidents of fly-tipping occur every day across the Greater Manchester areas, costing councils nearly £4.9 million in clearance and enforcement, according to a new report.
Leading bottled drinks manufacturers commit to eliminating plastic packaging by 2030
Leading bottled drinks manufacturers commit to eliminating plastic packaging by 2030
By
Rob Cole
| 6 September 2018 |
A group of leading bottled water and soft drinks manufacturers have launched a report setting out a roadmap to eliminate plastic packaging waste from the bottled water and soft drinks value chain by 2030.
Researchers at Swansea University unlock plastic waste car fuel potential
Swansea University researchers unlock plastic waste car fuel potential
By
Kate Nicholson
| 6 September 2018 |
Scientists at the University of Swansea have discovered how to transform waste plastics into hydrogen, which could then be used to fuel hydrogen cars.
Major UK mattress recycling company reports a 20 percent increase in revenue
TFR Group reports 20 percent increase in revenue
By
Kate Nicholson
| 4 September 2018 |
The Furniture Recycling Group has announced an increase in revenue following new deals with retailers as it tackles the issue of difficult to recycle materials and rising landfills.
Second boat made from recycled plastic sets sail on the Thames
Second boat made from recycled plastic sets sail on the Thames
By
Kate Nicholson
| 4 September 2018 |
Environmental charity Hubbub launched a boat made from 99 per cent plastic waste last week to collect debris in the Thames.
Majority of Britons concerned about plastic as Zero Waste Week begins
Majority of Britons concerned about plastic as Zero Waste Week begins
By
Rob Cole
| 3 September 2018 |
Four out of five Britons are concerned about rising levels of single-use plastic consumption in the UK, according to a new poll, as this year’s Zero Waste Week focuses on the issue of disposable plastics.
Scotland to ban the burning of waste plastic from farms
Scotland to ban the burning of waste plastic from farms
By
Kate Dickinson
| 31 August 2018 |
Burning farm plastics will be illegal in Scotland from 2019 after the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) vowed to end exemptions enabling the practice.
Plastic bag charge could increase to 10 pence
Plastic bag charge could increase to 10 pence
By
Rob Cole
| 31 August 2018 |
Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that the government will consider making the plastic bag charge mandatory for all businesses and raising it to 10 pence.
Lucozade to trial edible packaging at sports events
Lucozade to trial edible packaging at sports events
By
Rob Cole
| 30 August 2018 |
Sports drinks giant Lucozade will trial a biodegradable form of packaging for its sports drinks and gels at a series of events from September as it seeks to move beyond plastic.
London pledges to reduce landfill waste by 50 per cent by 2030
London pledges to reduce landfill waste by 50 per cent by 2030
By
Kate Nicholson
| 28 August 2018 |
London joins 23 cities in pledge to cut waste sent to landfill by 50 per cent and waste per capita by 15 per cent by 2030.