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BT Group aims to go fully circular by 2030
Telecommunications giant BT has formalised the acceleration of its net-zero target for operations, from 2045 to 2030, and set a new ambition to become a circular business by the end of the decade.
Elemis to launch refillable packaging formats
Skincare and beauty brand Elemis has joined a new collaborative initiative focused on reusable packaging, spearheaded by Scottish SME Beauty Kitchen and backed by firms including Asda and Unilever.
M&S trials clothing rental as ASOS launches open-source circular economy guide
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has launched its first clothing rental trial, on the same day that ASOS published a new interactive guide to help brands and designers reduce waste across the fashion value chain.
The Better Business Roundtable: Purpose, Culture and Impact
The climate crisis is raging. Technologies are evolving. The future of work is upon us and new paradigms of growth are emerging. NOW is the time to reinvent business models, shift corporate cultures, change our understanding of value, and reposition business as a force for positive change.
Tackling e-waste: Microsoft plans new repair services as Co-op launches tech re-circulation trials
Microsoft has agreed to develop plans for improving its repair offering, in the same week that 20 Co-op stores opened facilities for shoppers to sell their old devices.
Adidas launches take-back platform to reuse and resell sportswear
Global sportswear brand Adidas has unveiled a new take-back scheme for old running shoes and sports garments, regardless of brand, in a bit to improve the circularity of the sector.
Net-A-Porter launches fashion resale offering
Luxury fashion platform Net-A-Porter is launching what it claims is its most extensive resale scheme to date, after pledging to 'unlock recommerce' in an updated sustainability strategy.
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.
Fashion giants urged to decrease clothing production as part of their sustainability plans
The British Fashion Council (BFC) is urging big-name companies to go beyond setting headline sustainability targets to cut emissions and waste in-house, and reduce the number of garments they are producing.
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.
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.
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.
Asda expands plastic-free refill offering
Asda has more than doubled the number of product lines available in refillable formats at the first store to trial the offering, located in Middleton, Leeds.
Circular economy attracting $1.3trn in annual investments, but dwarfed by linear spending models
Governments, investors and corporates collectively funnel more than $1.3trn annually into circular economy initiatives, but this is just a fraction of the money that is currently spent on linear methods of consumption and resource use.
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.
Report: Circular economy could deliver 80% of UK's next carbon budget
By embedding circular economy principles in major policy frameworks, the UK could deliver 80% of the additional emissions cuts needed to meet its Fifth Carbon Budget, which covers 2028-2032.
Cadogan sets net-zero emissions target for 2030
Property developer and investor Cadogan Estates has unveiled a set of sweeping sustainability targets to reduce waste and water usage alongside a headline commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2030.
The Net-Zero Business Barometer - Summer 2021
New for 2021, edie’s bi-annual Net-Zero Business Barometer provides a regular temperature check and progress update regarding the decarbonisation of organisations across the UK.
UK's 'right to repair' laws come into force, in bid to cut electrical waste
Manufacturers of goods including washing machines, TVs and fridges will be mandated to do more to help customers repair them for longer from this week, under new Government rules.
UK's waste management sector targets net-zero emissions through £10bn infrastructure overhaul
The trade body representing the UK's resource and waste management industry has unveiled a sector-wide commitment to reach net-zero emissions by 2040, through a £10bn investment into new recycling infrastructure and a focus on zero-emission vehicles.
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.
G7 calls on climate and Colgate's circular toothbrush: 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.
Starbucks to launch reusable cup sharing programme in the UK this year
Starbucks has announced plans to launch a reusable cup 'sharing' initiative in all British, French and German stores in the coming months, ahead of a roll-out across Europe, the Middle East and Africa by 2025.
edie Explains: The circular economy
Why is adopting a circular economy so important? What does a circular economy look like in practice? How does the circular economy apply to business? Which organisations are most suited to going circular? What are the business benefits of going circular? This new explains guide answers all these questions and more.
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.
PlayBack: Mattel launches toy recycling scheme
Mattel, the toy giant behind Barbie, has launched a new take-back and recycling scheme for used toys.
10p plastic bag charge comes into force for all businesses
The UK Government has confirmed that it is increasing the levy applied to single-use plastic carrier bags to 10p.
Ikea launches buy-back service in all UK stores
Following a string of Covid-19-related delays, Ikea has launched its long-awaited buy-back scheme for furniture across its UK stores.
Greece goes coal-free as Moto installs EV chargers: 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.
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.
Asda launches second-hand fashion offering in 50 UK stores
Following a successful trial in 2019, Asda is rolling out a second-hand fashion aisle to 50 of its UK stores, in a bid to encourage a more circular economy for clothing.
Servitisation and the circular economy: How can businesses encourage shoppers to consume less?
Often, when businesses make resource efficiency commitments, they stop short of committing to shifting to business models that will see them selling fewer products. But why - and which businesses have overcome this challenge?
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.
Circular Economy Week: edie kicks off week of zero-waste themed content and events
Running from 22-26 March, edie's Circular Economy Week includes exclusive interviews, podcasts, reports, webinars and in-depth feature articles - all dedicated to embracing closed-loop models.
Fashion giants collaborate on Bangladesh textile reuse scheme
A group of 30 fashion brands, manufacturers and waste management firms have launched a new collaborative scheme to capture and reuse textile waste in Bangladesh.
Jaguar Land Rover targets emissions reductions through faster, lighter electric vehicles
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) will steer a consortium-led initiative to make electric vehicles (EVs) lighter while also enabling larger batteries to be fitted to increase range.
Waitrose Unpacked: Supermarket unveils next steps for plastic-busting refill scheme
After trials of packaging-free, refillable products proved popular with shoppers and reduced the supermarket's plastic footprint, Waitrose & Partners is planning to make the format easier to use - and to roll it out to more stores in future.
Exeter to play host to UK's first national circular economy 'hub'
UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) is investing £3.5m to create a new circular economy hub at the University of Exeter, which will be used to coordinate research and development across the country.
What makes a sustainability leader? Meet battery innovators Powervault
With less than a month 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 Product Innovation of the Year, PowerVault.
In action: the world's first fully commercial carbon capture and utilisation plant
Carbon Clean – in partnership with Tuticorin Alkali Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited (TFL) – has been operating the world’s first low-cost, industrial-scale carbon capture and utilisation (CCU) plant in India since October 2016. Take a look inside the project with this new download.
Six ideas to achieve your flexible energy future on the road to net-zero
This report showcases the output of edie's SPARK! event, where expert energy professionals from a range of sectors discussed the role that smart and flexible energy technologies and systems will play in the net-zero transition.
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.
How would a Gigafactory contribute to the UK's green recovery?
Reports have emerged that the UK is set to unveil funds for a national battery production centre in the UK, but efforts may still be required to ensure that battery production is aligned to the circular economy.
City to Sea: 8 in 10 food-to-go giants failing to tackle single-use plastic
A survey of 20 of the UK's largest food-to-go outlets has found that more than eight in ten have introduced no policies on removing single-use plastic from consumer-facing operations this year.
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.
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.
What makes a sustainability leader? Meet consumer engagement champions City to Sea
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 winner of our Consumer Engagement Campaign of the Year: City to Sea.
P&G to launch refillable shampoo bottles in 2021
Procter & Gamble (P&G) will launch a refill format which uses 60%less plastic across several of its most popular shampoo lines in Europe next year.
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.
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.
Recycled aluminium could help Jaguar Land Rover reduce emissions by a quarter
Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has revealed that its ongoing project to recover and reuse aluminium from drinks cans and end-of-life vehicles into new car products could reduce its carbon emissions by up to 26%.
Retail giants prepare to launch TerraCycle's 'zero-waste' refill service in stores
Following successful online launches, retailers including Tesco in the UK and Carrefour in France are planning to bring TerraCycle's refillable model, backed by businesses like Danone and Unilever, to stores.
Brits cut bottled water consumption by half during lockdown
The proportion of UK adults regularly purchasing plastic bottled water almost halved during lockdown, new research from YouGov has concluded.
In the Loop: Tesco and TerraCycle pilot 'zero-waste' refill service in the UK
TerraCycle has today (15 July) launched its zero-waste shopping platform in the UK in collaboration with Tesco, after a delay due to Covid-19.
#SustyTalk: Ecover's Tom Domen on nature restoration and the refill revolution
edie's #SustyTalk interview series continues with Ecover & Method's head of long-term innovation Tom Domen outlining the firm's decision to grant £500,000 to nature restoration projects.
Report: Big-name brands failing to address plastic pollution crisis, despite improved pledges
A survey of 50 of the largest consumer-facing goods firms, including PepsiCo, Kraft Heinz and Kellogg, has found that companies are generally failing to take ambitious action on plastic pollution, despite lofty pledges to do so.
Circularity in a post-pandemic world: An opportunity worth seizing
As part of the edie Explains: The circular economy guide for 2020, supporting partner Reconomy's business and industry divisional director Harvey Laud discusses the role of closed-loop ambitions in helping to deliver a green recovery.
Ikea launches circular economy strategic partnership with Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Ikea is building on a commitment to becoming a fully circular business by 2030 by announcing a new strategic partnership with the Ellen MacArthur Foundation that will focus on advocating for closed-loop home furnishing designs and methods to promote circular offers to customers.
O2 targets e-waste with new Klyk partnership
O2 has agreed to a new partnership with technology refurbishment start-up Klyk to tackle the growing issue of electronic waste (e-waste) in the sector.
John Lewis unveils sustainable womenswear collection
John Lewis & Partners has teamed up with luxury sustainable womenswear brand Mother of Pearl to launch a new sustainable clothing collection made from organic cotton and certified renewable wood fibre sources.
Honda expands European electric vehicle battery recycling initiative
Honda is extending a European battery recycling initiative to ensure the collection and reuse of old batteries from the carmaker's hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs) and give them a second life as stationary storage assets.
Scientists report huge upswing in efficiency for enzyme-based plastic recycling solution
A breakthrough recycling method that using a novel enzyme to breakdown plastics and is backed by a consortium of global businesses including Lucozade Ribena Suntory and PepsiCo is a step closer to commercialisation following improvements to the breakdown process.
'Burnt and dumped': Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Unilever and Nestlé plastics waste fuelling climate change
Four of the world's largest users of plastic packaging - Coca-Cola, PepsiCo, Unilever and Nestlé - are responsible for half a million tonnes of plastic pollution that are burnt or dumped each year in six developing countries, creating emissions equivalent to adding two million cars onto roads.
Mondelez signs up to UK Plastics Pact and Ellen MacArthur Foundation's Global Commitment
Global chocolate producer Mondelēz International, which owns brands including Cadbury and Dairy Milk has signed up to two major initiatives to tackle plastics waste in the UK and globally.
Starbucks trials compostable paper cups, places ban on reusables due to coronavirus
Starbucks has announced it will trial the use of recyclable and compostable paper cups in the UK, but has placed a ban on customers using personal re-usable cups due to concerns over the coronavirus.
M&S expands refill scheme amid growing customer appetite for plastic-free groceries
Marks & Spencer (M&S) is set to extend its packaging-free refill offering for dried and ambient products such as coffee and pulses this month, following a successful trial.
Just Eat trials plastic-free takeaway boxes lined with seaweed
Just Eat will trial compostable takeaway boxes lined with seaweed at select London restaurants, a move which will prevent around 3,600 plastic boxes from entering the waste stream.
RBS's climate goals and Aldi's plastic bag crackdown: 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.
In numbers: Are businesses and consumers ready for the circular economy shift?
A shift away from linear 'take, make and dispose' models is widely touted as a key requirement in the transition to a net-zero, more resource-efficient world. But how prepared are businesses and individuals to make that shift, and what barriers are stopping circularity?
Corporates failing to make circular economy transition, damning report finds
More than 100 billion tonnes of virgin materials are being consumed annually by business, with progress to boost reuse and recycling rates stagnating, a damning new report has concluded.
Asda to pilot packaging-free, refillable versions of popular groceries
Asda will begin trialling packaging-free, refillable versions of some of its most popular products in May, the supermarket has confirmed today (16 January).
Every business has a critical role to play in reducing single-use plastics
In the two years since Blue Planet II ignited interest in the volume of plastic being used and discarded daily, businesses have made real progress in their efforts to eliminate single-use plastics.
A Plastic Planet: It's time for activism on climate change and plastics to collide
EXCLUSIVE: The surge in climate activism in recent months has not served to stop the so-called "war-on-plastics", but to lay the foundations for holistic action on both issues by businesses and the public alike, activist and entrepreneur Sian Sutherland has argued.
Plastics packaging phase-outs leading to environmental consequences, report warns
A new report from the Green Alliance has shown the companies are under "considerable and justified pressure" to move away from single-use plastics, often at the expense of carbon impacts and recyclability of alternative materials.
Homebase pledges zero-waste-to-landfill by 2021
Home improvement retailer Homebase has pledged to achieve zero-waste-to-landfill status by 2021, after partnering with recycling and waste management firm Reconomy.
New Starbucks-led behaviour change scheme aims to double reusable coffee cup uptake
As part of its ongoing partnership with environmental charity Hubbub, Starbucks has unveiled a new campaign aiming to double reusable cup in during 2020.
Business Energy Barometer: November-December 2019
edie's third Business Barometer for 2019 sets out the key challenges and opportunities for energy leaders and managers going into 2020 and the next decade of climate action.
Selfridges bans single-use wet wipes over plastics concerns
Selfridges has removed all single-use beauty wipes from its in-store Beauty Halls and its online offering, in a bid to reduce the plastic footprint of its customers' bathroom routines.
EV batteries could be 'huge waste mountain of the future', researchers warn
The development and industrialisation of recycling technologies for end-of-life electric vehicle (EV) batteries is currently being outpaced by a boom of EV uptake, paving the way for a "huge waste management problem" in decades to come.
Aldi to trial reusable fruit and vegetable bags
Aldi will introduce reusable bags for loose fruit and vegetables at more than 250 UK stores by the end of the month, in a drive to reduce single-use plastics.
Tesco to remove one billion plastic pieces from products by end of 2020
Tesco will remove one billion pieces of plastic from products sold in UK stores, including ready meal trays, straws from drinks cartons and packaging for clothing and greeting cards, by the end of 2020.
John Lewis trials swathe of new recycling and reuse offerings
John Lewis & Partners has launched a string of seven new initiatives aimed at helping customers to reuse packaging and recycle items which are not currently collected by most domestic kerbside services.
TerraCycle: The global refill revolution is here to stay
EXCLUSIVE: With consumer concerns around plastics and climate change skyrocketing, brands are increasingly betting on reuse and refill models to minimise both carbon and waste, TerraCycle's chief executive officer Tom Szaky has revealed.
Lego launches reuse platform for old plastic bricks
The Lego Group has announced the launch of a pilot programme that will see the company partner with recycling charity Give Back Box to enable consumers to donate old lego bricks to be redistributed to children's non-profits in the US.
Mission Possible: Achieving net-zero carbon in Utilities
Following the UK's world-leading commitment to reach net- zero emissions by 2050, this insight report investigates how the utilities sector can radically reduce carbon whilst enabling and empowering its customers to do the same.
The Body Shop: Demands for plastic-free shopping have 'come full circle since the 1990s'
EXCLUSIVE: The Body Shop's decision to begin offering plastic-free refills at its refurbished Bond Street store was largely driven by changing demands from its shoppers and staff, the brand's managing director has told edie.
Asda forays into second-hand clothing market
Asda is trialling its first second-hand clothing offering in the hopes of gauging consumer attitudes to a more circular fashion economy.
Hoarding old gadgets 'preventing circular economy shift' and 'spurring rare mineral shortages'
The fact that most UK households are hoarding old digital gadgets with no plans to recycle them is a key barrier to implementing circular economy principles for e-waste, the Royal Society of Chemistry has claimed.
Meet the sustainability leader: Social Sustainability & Community Development - JPA Furniture
With entries now open for edie's Sustainability Leaders Awards 2020, this new feature series showcases the achievements of the 2019 winners and reveals their secrets to success. Up next: The winner of our Social Sustainability & Community Development Award, JPA Furniture.
Britain's single-use sustainability crisis extends far beyond plastic, says Green Alliance
Shifting materials for single-use containers away from plastic will not resolve the overall issue, according to a new infogaphic-based report from Green Alliance.
Four years on: How have supermarkets responded to the 5p plastic bag charge?
The UK Government published its annual figures on single-use plastic bag sales last week, revealing that distribution by large retailers has fallen 90% since the 5p charge was introduced. But exactly what role have supermarkets played in that transition?
Waitrose to extend plastic-busting refill scheme
Waitrose & Partners is set to extend its 'Unpacked' offering of packaging-free, refillable products, following a successful trial of the concept at its Botley Road store in Oxford.
IHG to ban bathroom miniatures in plastic reduction drive
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is set to remove miniature toiletries from its entire global estate by the end of 2021, in a bid to reduce its plastic waste footprint.
