Technology

Plastic packaging
Open standard for packaging data could be key to EPR success

Open 3P, an open standard for plastic packaging data which launched in September 2022, has secured further funding from Innovate UK to enter phase two of its development.


human hair
Human hair used to clean Belgium's waterways

One kilogram of human hair can absorb up to eight litres of oil, the Hair Recycle Project has found

PlasticFree
PlasticFree platform launches to help design out plastic waste

The online platform could eradicate one trillion pieces of plastic waste from the global economy by 2025

Solar Panel Recycling
The Challenges of Solar Panel Recycling
By
Resource
| 9 January 2023 |
Solar panel waste is set to increase by more than 4000 per cent in the next decade. Is the solar panel recycling industry ready?
WEEE phones
New AI sorting technology to reduce battery fires in WEEE wins pilot funding
By
Amelia Kelly
| 29 November 2022 |
EU Horizon Programme to support demonstrator project for X-Ray detector innovation to identify WEEE containing lithium-ion batteries
Transparent wood
Transparent wood offers a sustainable alternative to plastic, study shows
By
Savannah Coombe
| 9 November 2022 |
The wood, made by replacing lignin with epoxy, has been identified as suitable for large-scale production
DS Smith self-healing box
DS Smith presents blueprint for 'self-healing' packaging
By
Amelia Kelly
| 25 October 2022 |
The proposed box has potential to heal itself, due to its webbed nervous system and regenerative ‘scar tissue’
Used Lithium-Ion Devices
Take Charge Campaign: ‘Zombie Batteries’ cause an increase of fires at UK waste facilities
By
Amelia Kelly
| 24 October 2022 |
The campaign, running from 24 October until 7 November, aims to reduce fires started by lithium-ion batteries.
Reusable packaging
Reath technology introduces ‘next generation’ reuse tracking software
By
Amelia Kelly
| 18 October 2022 |
The company aims to solve challenges of data sharing across the supply chain in reusable packaging systems
E-waste
Recycle Your Electricals: 20.7 million unused tech electricals currently stored in UK homes
By
Amelia Kelly
| 12 October 2022 |
Findings show UK households could profit approximately £200 through selling unused but working tech
sheets of aluminium
Novelis: Operations begin on aluminium recovery with Smart Press Shop
By
Alice Lang
| 6 October 2022 |
The aluminium processor will provide recovered metals to SPS’ automotive components plant
Food waste
Hellmann’s launches ‘Fridge Night’ app aimed at reducing food waste
By
Savannah Coombe
| 29 September 2022 |
The app is hosted by Liam Charles and aims to give practical advice to consumers 
worker inspecting recycled carbon fibres
New initiative to commercialise continuous carbon fibre reclamation
By
Alice Lang
| 21 September 2022 |
The NCC aims to bring a tested recycling process to industry within three years
workers at PFA replacement plant
Incinerator residue piloted as low-carbon cement component
By
Alice Lang
| 21 September 2022 |
Using incinerator residues, the alternative will cut costs and lower carbon emissions for construction
KIT lab
New project aims to commercialise holistic recycling processes for lithium batteries
By
Alice Lang
| 15 September 2022 |
LiBinfinity Project will develop a mechanico-hydrometallurgical process to maximise the recyclability of lithium-ion cells
scrap metals
New rare earth metals recycling plant to open in Birmingham
By
Alice Lang
| 14 September 2022 |
The facility will pilot a hydrogen-based process for reforming valuable magnets 
BDC biohydrogen technologies
BDC to join two new projects developing biohydrogen technologies
By
Alice Lang
| 5 September 2022 |
The two projects aim to decarbonise the UK transport sector with the use of biofuels
MiAlgae Biotech Startup
Biotechnology startup MiAlgae awarded £2.3m in private investment
By
Savannah Coombe
| 26 August 2022 |
The startup has developed biotechnology to produce a sustainable source of omega-3 from algae
Plastic packaging
Specially-evolved enzyme degrades problematic packaging
By
Resource
| 24 August 2022 |
The PET portion of mixed packaging is degraded, leaving behind an easier product to mechanically recycle
waste plastic ocean bottle
New AI model detects and categorises marine plastic
By
Amelia Kelly
| 17 August 2022 |
The technology can differentiate floating plastics with 68 per cent accuracy
Max Recycle
Max Recycle partners with Advetec to unveil SRF plans
By
Amelia Kelly
| 11 August 2022 |
It will be England's first waste handler to do so, reducing disposal costs and CO2 emissions
ipad
Hubbub and Virgin Media O2 rehome used tech to improve digital access
By
Amelia Kelly
| 10 August 2022 |
Hubbub and Virgin Media O2 rehome used tech to improve digital access
e-waste recycling
New e-waste recycling method receives national award and funding
By
Alice Lang
| 5 August 2022 |
Researchers at the University of Leicester have received national recognition for their DES technology