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Circular roundtable: How can businesses accelerate the resource revolution?
Sustainability and corporate responsibility managers from a range of businesses recently gathered in London for an exclusive roundtable hosted by edie and EDF Energy, to discuss how organisations are stepping up efforts to accelerate a circular economy.
Sodexo targets net-zero value chain by 2045
Food and facilities service firm Sodexo has unveiled new climate commitments to reach net-zero by 2045, with a new interim target to reaching carbon-neutral operations also set for 2025.
Schwartz to move to fully recyclable herbs and spices sachets
Herbs and spices brand Schwartz is moving its entire range of recipe mixes to recyclable packaging in the UK, in a move that will reduce plastic usage by almost two-thirds while saving on carbon emissions.
A force for good: How B Corps are shaping the future of sustainable business
With the B Corp movement continuing to gain momentum, this one-hour webinar will hear from the inspirational leaders and experts who have gone through the certification process and are actively making business a force for good among workers, suppliers, communities, and the environment.
Costa Coffee trials blockchain-enabled reusable cup loan scheme
On-the-go food and drink giant Costa Coffee is piloting a scheme whereby reusable cups are loaned to customers and monitored using a digital blockchain platform.
Built for Better: Walmart launches online platform to highlight sustainable products
Walmart has created a new online platform for shoppers looking to purchase more sustainable and healthier items that meet an array of recognised standards.
What does a sustainable future in on-demand delivery look like?
Glovo's head of social impact and sustainability Sébastien Pellion, how logistics, manufacturing and transport will need to converge on new sustainability solutions to appease the demand of consumers.
Budweiser teams with EN+ Group in aim to produce its lowest carbon footprint for beer cans
The Budweiser Brewing Group has unveiled plans to trial the production of beer cans with its lowest lifecycle carbon footprint, by collaborating with key companies across the value chain including aluminium producer EN+ Group.
Asos targets net-zero value chain by 2030 as part of sweeping new ESG strategy
Online fashion retailer Asos has launched a new sweeping sustainability strategy, outlining plans to deliver a net-zero value chain, embed circular design principles, increase human rights transparency and improve leadership-level diversity across the organisation, by 2030 at the latest.
Morrisons to launch six 'zero waste' stores in Scotland
Retailer Morrisons has confirmed plans to trial six "zero waste" stores in Edinburgh, which could be replicated across all its stores nationwide if successful.
Loop: Tesco launches returnable packaging system for select product ranges
Tesco has today (13 September) unveiled a new partnership with the Loop platform to enable teabags, beverages, cleaning products and other items to be purchased in reusable and returnable packaging.
Just Eat trials reusable takeaway packaging in bid to cut plastics use
Food delivery firm Just Eat has partnered with reusable packaging service CLUBZERO to trial the approach in London.
COP26 Primer: Climate Adaptation & Resilience
This report explores how climate resilience and adaptation solutions are being focused on at the COP26 climate talks, with specific guidance and insights for businesses seeking to accelerate action in these areas.
Government launches consultation on single-use plastics ban
The UK Government has on Friday (27 August) announced that it will run a consultation to outline what single-use plastic items could be banned in England over the coming years.
Britvic switches more brands to 100% recycled plastic bottles
Britvic has announced that its Robinsons, Lipton Ice Tea and drench brands are moving to 100% recycled plastic (rPET) for all 500ml bottles, as part of a wider commitment to move to fully recycled content in the UK by 2022.
Dixons Carphone launches nationwide polystyrene takeback scheme
Electrical and telecommunications retailer Dixons Carphone has unveiled fresh new commitments to embrace the circular economy, including making all its own-label products packaging reusable or recyclable by 2023 and introducing a nationwide rollout of an in-store takeback scheme for polystyrene.
Maltesers ditches black plastic liners from boxes
Mars Wrigley-owned brand Maltesers has removed the black polyethylene (PE) liner from its boxes, meaning the packaging is now recyclable.
Samsung promises plastic-free mobile packaging by 2025
Electronics and electricals giant Samsung has pledged to remove all single-use plastics from mobile phone packaging by 2025.
Report: Just 12 businesses account for more than half of UK's packaging litter
An analysis of the litter collected during more than 600 clean-up events across the UK this year has found that packaging from businesses including Coca-Cola, PepsiCo and McDonald's is the most commonly littered.
New beauty industry coalition to accelerate sector's net-zero transition
Lush, Avon and Walgreens Boots Alliance are among the founding members of a new sustainability coalition for the beauty industry, which will develop shared goals on climate action and other pressing issues.
Pets at Home launches packaging recycling scheme as Wilko extends face mask collections
Retailer Pets at Home has introduced in-store recycling points for flexible pet food packaging at 40 stores, while Wilko has confirmed that its in-store face mask recycling points will remain in place.
Mars, Diageo and Dropbox unveil major renewables milestones
Mars, Diageo and Dropbox have all unveiled plans to add more renewables to their electricity mix, with Diageo planning for an onsite solar farm in Scotland.
Co-op launches village-wide behaviour change study for recycling soft plastics
Co-op has launched a village-wide behaviour change study in a bid to get more than 1,000 residents of a village in Somerset to understand how soft plastics can be collected and recycled.
Lidl vows to remove two billion pieces of plastic packaging by the end of 2022
After removing more than one billion pieces of plastic from UK stores, Lidl GB has set new ambitions to reduce plastic packaging further.
P&G's Lenor to pilot 100,000 paper bottles in 2022
EXCLUSIVE: Procter & Gamble (P&G) has joined the Paper Bottle Company (Paboco) collaboration and will launch its first paper pulp-based bottles in European markets next year, the firm has announced this week.
McDonald's to trial deposit return scheme for coffee cups in Northampton
McDonald's has chosen six restaurants in Northampton to trial a £1 deposit on reusable coffee cups in a bid to cut back on waste.
Coca-Cola to use 100% recycled plastics for all on-the-go bottles in the UK
All small bottles produced by Coca-Cola in the UK will be made using 100% recycled plastic, in a move that will save 29,000 tonnes of virgin plastic each year.
Tasmania's 200% renewables goal and Toast Ale's B-Corp recertification: The sustainability success stories of the week
As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie brings you this weekly round-up of five of the best sustainability success stories of the week from across the globe.
Sainsbury's rolls out flexible plastic recycling scheme nationwide
Sainsbury's is set to introduce in-store recycling systems for flexible plastics packaging across all stores nationwide, following successful trials in the North East of England earlier this year.
#SustyTalk: Canon's Andy Tomkins on preventing e-waste and creating a circular economy for plastics
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with an exclusive discussion with Canon's sustainability engagement manager for EMEA, Andy Tomkins.
Asda to add plastic-free refill stations to more UK stores
Following a successful trial in one store, Asda is adding refill stations for products including tea, cereal and pasta to four more UK locations by the end of 2021.
Unilever unveils new UK refillable packaging trials
Unilever is expanding trials of refillable packaging across the UK, including its first 'return on the go' scheme, in a bid to cut back on unnecessary plastics packaging.
The business guide to net-zero carbon reporting
The past 12 months have seen thousands of businesses announce net-zero strategies in line with national targets and in response to increased stakeholder pressure. So, what exactly makes a credible net-zero strategy, and - crucially - how should businesses be measuring and reporting their climate impacts to deliver decarbonisation at scale?
Evian launches plastic-reducing refill device to UK market
Following a string of trials and a launch in France, water brand evian has launched a refillable home water dispenser in the UK.
Kingfisher, DS Smith and Turner & Townsend unveil science-based targets
Screwfix and B&Q's parent firm Kingfisher has had carbon reduction targets consistent with the required pace to limit global warming to the 1.5C target of the Paris Agreement approved by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), while both packaging firm DS Smith and consultants Turner & Townsend have unveiled net-zero commitments.
Unilever introduces paper-based bottles for laundry detergent
Unilever is set to launch its first paper-based bottles for laundry detergent in Brazil next year, with an ambition in place to introduce the packaging across Europe thereafter.
AB InBev cuts emissions through new lightweight beer bottle design
The world's largest brewer, Anheuser-Busch InBev (AB InBev), has unveiled new lightweight beer bottles that have a reduced carbon footprint of 17% compared to its other bottle types, with plans in place to roll them out across Europe.
Mondi inks €750m adjustable loan based on SDG performance
Packaging giant Mondi has signed a new €750m revolving multicurrency credit facility agreement (RCF) that will be adjusted based on the company's performance against its sustainability strategy that is aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Absolut replaces plastics from bottle necks as part of paper-based bottle development
The Absolut Company has unveiled the latest milestone in its mission to create a fully paper-based drinks bottle, having replaced the plastic used to shape bottle necks, with a bio-based barrier.
In action: Skanska's rollout of EV charging with Pod Point
Skanska is aiming for net-zero emissions by 2045 and is committed to converting its fleet of company cars to electric. This "In action" guide explains how working with Pod Point on the integration of EV charge points is helping with these goals.
Unilever introduces fully recyclable toothpaste tubes
Unilever is introducing recyclable toothpaste tubes to its oral care brands in two of its largest markets, as part of wider plans to convert its branded toothpaste portfolio to widely recyclable packaging by 2025.
Time, innovation and partnerships: How Unilever is moving away from single-use plastics
EXCLUSIVE: Unilever's chief R&D officer Richard Slater tells edie how a focus on better, less and no plastic is enabling the consumer goods giant to reduce its plastics footprint globally while improving the recyclability of packaging.
Co-op to remove plastic bags for life from all stores
Co-op will remove plastic bags for life from sale in all 2,600 stores, citing concerns that they are increasing the amount of plastic in circulation, instead choosing to offer customers 10p compostable bags.
UK's food and drink sector targets net-zero emissions by 2040
The Food and Drink Federation (FDF), which represents more than 300 companies, has today (27 April) unveiled an ambition on behalf of the sector to reach net-zero emissions by 2040.
Shampoo bars and sustainable shoes: Rounding up the big Earth Day product announcements
A string of big-name brands, including SC Johnson and Vans, have bolstered commitments on resource use or launched products with circular economy principles to mark Earth Day 2021. Here, edie rounds up the announcements.
HP targets net-zero value chain by 2040
HP has confirmed it will transform parts of its business from a transactional model to a services-based proposition, as part of a sweeping new climate strategy that will see the business's value chain reach net-zero by 2040 and embrace closed-loop materials.
Aldi launches packaging-free refillable trial
Aldi has today (14 April) launched its first trial of packaging-free products, with a variety of rice and pasta on offer as part of a new refillable service.
Morrisons to remove all plastic bags for life from UK stores
Supermarket retailer Morrisons is removing all plastic versions of its "bags for life" from stores nationwide, in favour of paper and other reusable options, in a move that will save 3,200 tonnes of plastic each year.
Government to explore ban on oxo-degradable plastics
The UK Government is considering introducing a ban on types of plastics that can breakdown naturally, following an evidence-gathering consultation into the environmental impacts of plastics and alternative materials.
Etsy to offset emissions from packaging materials
Online retailer Etsy has confirmed its intention to offset all of the carbon emissions associated with its packaging, as it builds towards its net-zero emissions commitment set for 2030.
Danone-owned dairy giant unveils lifetime carbon emissions for its products
Horizon Organic, the largest USDA certified organic dairy brand in the world, has publicly disclosed the summary of life cycle assessments (LCA) for its whole milk half gallons, in a bid to outline areas of improvement as it strives to become "carbon positive" by 2025.
Mars Petcare debuts insect-based cat food and packaging with less plastic
Mars Petcare has announced plans to launch what it claims is the UK's first fully insect-based cat food, after releasing new packaging formats that contain less plastic.
Available to watch on-demand: edie's Circular Economy Inspiration sessions
Experts from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, Ikea, Innovate UK and The Body Shop took part in The Circular Economy Inspiration Sessions - an afternoon of live, interactive presentations and discussions on Thursday 25 March.
Tesco unveils climate manifesto to assist net-zero target
Tesco has unveiled a new "climate manifesto", pledging to help customers eat more sustainable diets, reducing food waste from farm to fork, and ramping up its efforts to become a net-zero business by 2035.
#SustyTalk: Kao Corporation's Dave Muenz on plastic packaging innovation
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with an exclusive discussion with Kao Corporation's senior vice president for ESG, Dave Muenz, hosted as part of our Circular Economy Week.
Sustainable Business Covered podcast: How can the circular economy help us get to net-zero?
The new edie podcast episode is streaming now, featuring four exclusive interviews to mark Circular Economy Week.
Government launches consultations on Deposit Return Scheme and Extended Producer Responsibility
MPs have today introduced new consultations to create the largest ever overhaul to the waste and resources sector, recommending that manufacturers cover the full costs of recycling packaging waste, standardising domestic and commercial waste collection and introducing a Deposit Return Scheme for certain types of packaging in 2024.
Why the circular economy is primed to improve social sustainability and value chain resiliency
EXCLUSIVE: The coronavirus pandemic has highlighted the fragility of both society and the sprawling value chains that the economy relies on. Shifting nations to a circular economy could be key in delivering a green recovery that champions sustainable income and environmental stewardship.
How businesses are enhancing water stewardship using circular economy principles
To mark World Water Day 2021, edie explores how businesses regarded as leaders in corporate water stewardship have put circular economy principles into practice in supply chains and operations.
Ocado and KP Snacks detail progress on plastic phase-outs
Online retailer Ocado had launched a refresh of its own-range products that will remove more than nine million pieces of packaging while also reducing the amount of plastic used, while KP Snacks has also announced packaging reductions.
SDG Spotlight: How Businesses Can Achieve Goal 13 - Climate Action
edie's latest SDG Spotlight report provides a detailed progress update on how businesses are transforming operations, services and supply chains to deliver Goal 13: Climate Action.
Mondelez and PepsiCo set new plastic pledges following non-profit discussions
Two of the world's largest users of plastics, Mondelez International and PepsiCo have agreed to set new reduction targets following intensive discussions with the As You Sow non-profit.
Pearson targets net-zero carbon by 2030
Learning and education company Pearson has built on science-based targets set last year to commit to net-zero emissions in the next decade, as part of a new sustainable business plan published alongside an updated company strategy.
SDG Spotlight: How Businesses Can Achieve Goal 6 - Clean Water & Sanitation
edie's latest SDG Spotlight report provides a detailed progress update on how businesses are transforming operations, services and supply chains to deliver Goal 6: Clean Water & Sanitation across the globe.
Greggs targets carbon neutrality and improved diversity through new sustainability pledges
Food retailer Greggs has unveiled a new set of sustainability commitments that will see it become a carbon-neutral business, use 100% renewable energy, reduce packaging waste by a quarter and improve workforce diversity.
Nestle on regenerative agriculture and the climate crisis
Andy Griffiths, Head of Value Chain Sustainability, writes on the importance of Nestlé's focus on climate change including regenerative agriculture and protection of water.
Sainsbury's rolls out flexible plastic take-back and recycling scheme
Sainsbury's has begun collecting hard-to-recycle flexible plastic film at 63 of its stores and will use the material to trial an innovative new recycling process.
Coca-Cola to trial 2,000 paper-based drinks bottles in Europe
The Coca-Cola Company - one of the biggest plastic producers in the food and beverage space - has confirmed plans to trial 2,000 paper-based bottles this year, to test the material's viability as an alternative to single-use plastics.
Absolut hits recycled materials target four years early
The Absolut Company has met a target to use 50% recycled material in its glass bottles four years ahead of schedule.
Sustainability Leaders Awards 2021: Meet the Winners
This special report provides in-depth profiles of all of the winners of edie's 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards, along with exclusive comments from our judges and summaries of all 189 finalists across 24 categories.
What makes a sustainability leader? Meet Business of the Year, Barry Callebaut
With the 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards taking place on Wednesday (3 February), this feature series showcases the achievements of the 2020 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winners of the Business of the Year award, Barry Callebaut.
Packaging giant Mondi targets 100% reusable, recyclable or compostable products by 2025
As part of a new sustainability strategy which it claims is aligned with the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), one of the world's biggest packaging and paper companies has pledged to phase-out products that can't be recycled, reused or composted.
Ikea surpasses renewable energy generation milestone after installing 920,000 solar panels
Ikea's parent company Ingka Group generated more renewable energy that it consumed last year, marking a milestone on its vision to become a "planet-positive" business.
Nestlé reduces plastic from cereal packaging and rolls out paper Smarties packs worldwide
Well-known cereal brands including Cheerios, Shreddies and Shredded Wheat are set to reduce the amount of plastic used in packaging by more than 600 tonnes annually, while Nestlé's Smarties brand is also switching to recyclable paper packaging worldwide.
What makes a sustainability leader? Meet reporting & communications champions SIG
With less than two weeks until the 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards, this feature series showcases the achievements of the 2020 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winners of the Sustainability Reporting & Communications award, SIG.
Heinz removes plastics from canned product packaging
Heinz is replacing plastic shrink-wrap packaging across its multipack canned products for sustainably certified paperboard, a move which will reduce the company's plastics footprint by 550 tonnes.
Tennent's invests £7m to remove plastic packaging from beer cans
Scottish brewer Tennent's is investing £7m into new packaging technology at its Glasgow-based brewery which will remove more than 100 million plastic rings from its lager can packs by 2022.
Five ways to ignite behavior change on energy use
This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where expert energy professionals from a range of sectors shared experiences driving engagement to change behaviours around energy use.
Beefeater removes plastic from new bottle range
Beefeater has launched a new 100% recyclable bottle, featuring paper labels and an aluminium cap that will be rolled out globally across its range of gins this month.
IBM to launch new data platform to map plastics waste
IBM has partnered with the Alliance to End Plastic Waste (AEPW) on a new data platform to help track plastic waste and recovery globally.
M&S to relaunch Plan A sustainability strategy
M&S is planning to relaunch its industry-leading Plan A sustainability programme in 2021 to reflect on the changing environmental and social needs globally, with a new ESG Board Sub-Committee to be set up to scrutinise the strategy.
WRAP: UK's biggest businesses have cut unnecessary plastic packaging by 40%
Businesses signed up to WRAP's UK Plastics Pact, which is supported by the likes of Unilever, Nestle and PepsiCo, collectively produced 40% fewer non-recyclable and unnecessary pieces of plastic packaging this year than in 2018.
M&S expands plastic-free refill offering as UK lockdown lifts
Marks and Spencer (M&S) has launched its packaging-free refill offering for dried, ambient and frozen foods in a third store due to growing customer demand.
Garnier launches shampoo bars with reduced environmental impact
L'Oreal brand Garnier is launching a new range of shampoo bars, packaged in 100% recyclable materials, that offer a 25% reduction in environmental impact compared to liquid shampoos.
Podback: Coffee brands join forces on UK pod recycling scheme
Brands such as Nespresso, Nescafé Dolce Gusto and Tassimo have launched a new recycling initiative that aims to get the coffee sector collaborating on a simplistic way to enable consumers to recycle coffee pods in the UK.
Absolut Company to go fossil-fuel-free by 2025
The Absolut Company has announced that all production of its Vodka products will be fossil-fuel-free by 2025, as part of a wider ambition to become carbon-neutral by 2030 without relying on offset use.
Ellen MacArthur Foundation: Refillable packaging still accounts for just 2% of the market
Despite a swathe of successful pilot projects for plastic-free, refillable products, just 2% of the products sold by the world's biggest consumer goods firms this year came in reusable packaging.
Plastic promises and the crisis of corporate accountability
The top 10 plastic polluters that we analysed have a joint plastic footprint of almost 10 million tonnes a year - the equivalent of 30-times the weight of the Empire State Building. Last week we sent them open letters asking them to publicly support legislation and finally take meaningful action to tackle the plastic crisis they are complicit in creating.
L'Oreal unveils 'world's first' plastic bottles made from captured carbon
L'Oreal has created a prototype shampoo bottle from 'recycled' captured carbon, mitigating the need for virgin fossil-based plastics.
Unilever expects to double use of recycled plastics in next 12 months
Unilever has confirmed that 10% of its plastic footprint now consists of post-consumer recycled plastic (PCR), as the company pushes ahead to meet a target of halving the use of virgin plastic.
Hubbub and Coca-Cola launch on-street recycling scheme in Dublin
Environmental charity Hubbub and the Coca-Cola Foundation have launched a new on-street recycling initiative in Dublin, to increase public awareness and use of recycling infrastructure.
‘Climate Pledge Friendly’: Amazon opens virtual aisle for more sustainable products
Amazon has become the latest retailer to signpost more sustainable products, launching a 'Climate Pledge Friendly' filter for shoppers in Europe.
HP extends cartridge recycling scheme to 68 countries
Printing and technology giant HP has extended its recycling scheme to 68 countries and territories after collecting more than 875,000 used printer ink cartridges.
Action on plastics: Has Covid-19 stopped the refill revolution?
Many retailers and brands backtracked on plastic-free refill pledges in a bid to stop Covid-19 from spreading earlier this year. But are we really headed back towards single-use in the long term, or will there be a different "new normal" for packaging?
Burger King teams up with TerraCycle for reusable packaging pilot
Burger King will bring reusable coffee cups, soft drinks cups and burger boxes to restaurants in the US and Japan early next year as part of a partnership with TerraCycle.
Morrisons, Waitrose and John Lewis remove glitter from Christmas items
Three retailers, Morrisons, Waitrose and John Lewis, have met commitments to phase-out glitter from Christmas products due to the damage the microplastics can cause to the natural environment.
SDG Spotlight: How Businesses Can Achieve Goal 9; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
edie's latest SDG Spotlight report, produced in association with UK Power Networks Services, looks at how businesses can transform operations, services, supply chains and strategies to help deliver Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure.
What makes a sustainability leader? A look at award-winning consultancy, Given London
With the 2021 Sustainability Leaders Awards entry deadline approaching, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2020 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winners of our Consultancy of the Year, Given London.
Danone, Ella's Kitchen and TerraCycle launch UK-wide recycling scheme for food pouches
Baby food brand Ella's Kitchen will partner with Danone Yoghurt and TerraCycle to launch a UK recycling programme for flexible food pouch packaging, in a bid to reduce the volume of material being sent to landfill.
Boots launches takeback scheme for hard-to-recycle products
Boots has become the latest retailer to launch an in-store take-back scheme for hard-to-recycle packaging and products, offering customers £5 worth of loyalty points for every five products deposited.
