The survey found that UK households throw away an estimated 1.7 billion pieces of plastic weekly, 60 pieces per household. Snack packaging (699,932 pieces) and fruit and veg packaging (697,085 pieces) were the most commonly counted plastic items. 58% of … Read More
Circular Economy
Plastic Overshoot Day projected to occur on 5 September
The report found there has been a 7.11% rise in plastic waste since 2021. Over one third of plastic will be mismanaged at the end of its life, which amounts to 68.6 million tonnes with a global average of 28kg … Read More
The landscape of green policies ahead of the 2024 election
Since January, independent think tank Green Alliance, which is focused on political leadership for the environment, has been running monthly Election Countdown webinars where a range of panellists, including lobby journalists and industry organisations, have been discussing the interplay of … Read More
UK quantum computing ambitions need a ‘pro-innovation’ regulatory approach akin to AI
The UK government is being urged to take a light touch when regulating quantum technologies, with the Regulatory Horizons Council recommending a ‘pro-innovation’ approach akin to that in the artificial intelligence (AI) space. In a new report, the RHC called … Read More
Environment Agency introduces new charges for regulating waste shipments
The Environment Agency said the new system was agreed in consultation with industry and will support a sustainable regulatory system that increases compliance and reduces delays in processing notifications. Movements of certain waste to some destinations are subject to stricter … Read More
Europe’s clean power sources on a record roll in early 2024
A record 60% of Europe’s electricity was powered by clean energy sources in the opening two months of 2024, driven by strong year-on-year growth in hydro, solar and wind generation and a rebound in nuclear power production. Total clean electricity … Read More
Scotland’s 2030 climate goals are “no longer credible”, CCC says
The Climate Change Committee has said it no longer believes that the Scottish government will meet its statutory 2030 goal to reduce emissions by 75%.The Climate Change Committee (CCC) is an independent, statutory body established under the Climate Change Act … Read More
Gamers can now trade in their consoles for cash with O2 Recycle
Virgin Media O2 expands its O2 Recycle initiative so the public can trade in gaming systems from PlayStation, Xbox, Oculus and Nintendo for cash.People can send their unwanted tech devices to O2 Recycle for free where the device will be … Read More
ESA and BPF launch plastic recycling awareness campaign
The Environmental Services Association (ESA) and British Plastics Federation (BPF) have launched a campaign to educate the public about plastic recycling.A national survey, commissioned by the ESA and BPF, found that 94% of UK adults claim to recycle plastic at … Read More
MEPs backs proposal for tougher targets on textile and food waste
The European Parliament adopted its proposals to increase binding waste reduction targets for food and textiles across the EU. The proposals include higher binding waste reduction targets to be met at the national level by 31 December 2030. These include … Read More
New fund launched to support “circular economy innovators”
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) has launched a new fund for circular economy businesses to help them grow through “fully-funded brand communications, marketing and design support”.The Circular Economy Innovators Fund is the first of its kind, CIWM said … Read More
Windows 10 end of life could prompt torrent of e-waste as 240 million devices set for scrapheap
Analysts have warned Windows 10 end of life plans could spark a global torrent of e-waste, with millions of devices expected to be scrapped in the coming years. Research from Canalys shows that up to 240 million PCs globally could … Read More