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Lord Deben: Businesses must avoid 'knee-jerk' plastic phase-outs
Committee on Climate Change (CCC) chairman Lord Deben has urged companies to avoid making "knee-jerk" decisions on plastics packaging, warning that "reactionary" choices to consumer demands could lead to unintended environmental consequences.
Data-driven 'Plastics Cloud' launched to combat plastics waste
Software firm SAP UKI has unveiled plans to collect live data from supply chains as part of a "Plastics Cloud" pilot aimed at improving plastics purchasing and recycling.
Marston's achieves zero-waste-to-landfill goal
Pub chain and brewer Marston's has revealed that it has hit its 2020 zero-waste-to-landfill goal two years ahead of schedule, after sending more than three-quarters (77%) of its waste to be recycled this year.
Waitrose to use home-compostable bags in produce aisles and phase-out 5p carrier bags
Waitrose & Partners has announced that it will stop offering single-use plastic bags in its fruit and vegetable aisles and remove 5p carrier bags from its stores, a move that will cut its plastic usage by 134 million bags each year.
Single-use plastic bottles banned from half marathon in London
The capital’s first marathon event pledging to be completely free of “single-use” plastic drinks bottles is to take place in north-west London.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: TerraCycle, P&G and SUEZ - Sustainable Supply Chains
With entries closing this week for edie's revamped 2019 Sustainability Leaders Awards, this new feature series will showcase the achievements of the 2018 winners, revealing their secrets to success. Up next: our 2018 Sustainable Supply Chains winners, TerraCycle, P&G and SUEZ.
Iceland ditches plastic for pre-packed bananas
Frozen food retailer Iceland is switching the packaging for its pre-packed bananas from plastic to a paper band that is 100% recyclable and made from recycled paper, in a move that will save 10 million plastic bags from being used by the company annually.
SUEZ calls for extended producer responsibility system to spark 'waste revolution'
Waste and resource management firm SUEZ has called on the UK Government to extend its existing Producer Responsibility Obligation (PRO) framework and raise the cost of Packaging Recovery Notes (PRNs) to accelerate the shift to a circular economy.
H&M Foundation opens 'Garment-to-Garment' recycling plant in circular fashion drive
Fashion retailer H&M's charitable arm, the H&M Foundation, has this week opened a hydrothermal textile recycling plant as the company strives to become "truly circular" by 2030.
Drinks giants back calls to eliminate plastic packaging waste by 2030
Soft drinks firms such as Danone Waters and Lucozade Ribena Suntory have thrown their weight behind a study which calls for a zero-waste-to-landfill plastic packaging value chain by 2030.
Amey to work with prison to recycle more than 130,000 televisions annually
Waste management firm Amey has formed a partnership with HMP Dovegate in a bid to recycle more than 130,000 televisions each year while reducing reoffending rates.
Burberry to stop burning unsold products as part of resource efficiency drive
Luxury fashion brand Burberry has announced it will stop destroying products deemed unsaleable with immediate effect, just months after it was revealed that the brand had burned more than £28m worth of stock over the past 12 months.
'Snap Packs' and greener ink: Carlsberg unveils new packaging solutions designed to reduce waste
Danish brewer Carlsberg is set to reduce its global packaging waste by more than 1,200 tonnes annually, after launching new Snap Pack multi-packs for branded beers alongside a host of other closed-loop packaging renovations.
Veolia to trial electric bin lorries powered by energy-from-waste
Waste management firm Veolia’s vehicle fleet is set to include two fully-electric bin lorries, which will be charged with power derived from waste collected by the company.
M&S to phase out plastic cutlery in cafés
Marks and Spencer (M&S) will start phasing out plastic cutlery across its in-store cafés next month in a move it claims will remove 75 million pieces of plastic from its waste stream annually.
Hubbub launches second waste-cleaning boat made from recycled plastics
Environmental charity Hubbub has launched its second waste-cleaning boat made from recycled plastic today (30 August), with funding jointly provided by Tideway and Starbuck’s 5p paper cup surcharge.
Lucozade to trial edible drinks sachets to reduce single-use plastic at sports events
Beverage giant Lucozade Ribena Suntory is set to trial edible drinks sachets made from seaweed at two sports events next month, in an effort to gauge the consumer appetite for plastic-free alternatives to single-use bottles and pouches.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: The Coal Authority - Recycling and Resources
With entries soon closing for edie's revamped 2019 Sustainability Leaders Awards, this new feature series will showcase the achievements of the 2018 winners, revealing their secrets to success. Up next: our 2018 Recycling and Resources winners, The Coal Authority.
World Water Week: Valuing our natural environment
We all 'appreciate' a babbling brook and beautiful rivers and oceans, but what is the value of our natural environment? World Water Week provides us all with the perfect opportunity to reflect on the importance of water stewardship, which is not only about doing the right thing, it's also about generating real business benefits as a result.
In action: The Langham London hotel's aerobic digestion of food waste
In March 2018, the 5-star Langham London hotel embarked on a site-wide behavioural and infrastructural overhaul to divert food waste from landfill through an innovative recycling system introduced by Orca Enviro Systems.
'In action': edie launches new case study series to highlight best-practice sustainability projects
edie has launched a new case study series focusing on successful projects that have helped end-user companies reduce key environmental footprints.
Global food waste set to rise a third by 2030 without ‘aggressive’ action
The amount of food wasted each year worldwide is set to rise by a third by 2030 without "urgent and aggressive" action from nations and corporates.
Greene King phases out plastic straws in favour of compostable alternative
Pub chain Greene King has announced that it will stock compostable straws across its entire portfolio of 1,750 UK pubs as it strives to meet a commitment of sending zero waste to landfill by 2020.
UK's largest recycling centre opens in Scotland
The UK's largest recycling centre has officially opened in Livingston, Scotland, on the same day that waste experts called on the UK Government to scrap weight-based recycling targets post-Brexit.
‘Unprecedented’ public support for tax reforms to tackle plastic waste
An unprecedented number of respondents to a UK Government consultation examining plastic waste have called for the implementation of increased rates of tax on virgin plastics, coupled with tax breaks for manufacturers using post-consumer recycled (PCR) content.
Unintended consequences: Could the plastics phase-out lead to sustainability peril for businesses?
EXCLUSIVE: With the war on plastic becoming one of the hottest topics in the sustainability sphere, corporates rushing to make plastic-reduction pledges in a bid to appease customers are at risk of making changes which could lead to unintended consequences.
ACE UK partners with Cornwall Council to boost beverage carton recycling rates
The Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment (ACE UK) has partnered with Cornwall Council to open a set of new recycling banks for food and drink cartons and paper coffee cups across the region, in a bid to boost recycling rates for the items.
Meet the Sustainability Leader: G&P Group Holdings - Waste Management and Reduction 2018
With entries now open for edie's revamped 2019 Sustainability Leaders Awards, this new feature series will showcase the achievements of the 2018 winners, revealing their secrets to success. Up next: our 2018 Waste Management winners, G&P Group Holdings.
edie at 20: How global resource efficiency has transformed since 1998
As part of a running content series to mark edie's 20th anniversary as a sustainable business media brand, we have produced an infographic which explores the changing ways in which businesses and nations have transformed the way they consume the world's resources over the past two decades.
Co-op partners with The Real Junk Food Project to cut food waste
The Co-op has announced that it has started a new partnership with food redistribution scheme The Real Junk Food Project, in a bid to reduce its food waste output while tackling hunger in Leeds.
Landsec partners with big-name retailers on shopping centre refill scheme
Property developer Landsec has launched a new water bottle refill scheme in its shopping centres, partnering up with a host of big-name retailers and food and beverage brands in a bid to drive customers away from single-use plastic bottles.
Lidl launches 'Too Good to Waste' fruit and veg discount box to cut back on food waste
In a bid to cut back on food waste, Lidl UK has launched a trial run selling boxes of fruit and vegetables no longer considered at their best at a discount price.
Tesco becomes first supermarket to stock cans of water
In the latest move to cut back on the number of plastic products entering circulation, Tesco has become the first supermarket to stock and offer cans of water.
Collection and content: How can councils address the 'smorgasbord' of plastics to boost recycling?
Councils have urged manufacturers to scrap a "smorgasbord" of plastics used for food packaging in order to increase recycling rates, although the industry has suggested that the lack of consistency of council recycling collection systems also needs addressing.
Veolia to recycle 120 million coffee cups in 2019
Waste management firm Veolia has announced it will increase the number of coffee cups it collects for recycling annually by 300%, by working with retailers such as Costa, Starbucks and McDonald's on in-store collection services.
Crunch time for Walkers over non-recyclable crisp packets
The UK's biggest crisp brand, Walkers, will come under pressure this week to explain why it is helping to fuel the plastic waste littering the streets and seas by producing more than 7,000 non-recyclable crisp packets every minute.
Unilever launches toiletry range with 100% recycled packaging in UK
Consumer goods giant Unilever has launched a range of beauty products housed in 100% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic bottles in the UK, following the success of the "eco-beauty" line in the US.
The burning question: Can Burberry spark a resource revolution in the fashion industry?
EXCLUSIVE: In contrast to the public uproar over the burning of almost £30m worth of stock, luxury fashion brand Burberry is on a journey to "foster business models" that redefine waste and embed the circular economy into an industry riddled with "fast fashion" discrepancies.
Allow nuclear waste disposal under national parks, say MPs
Highly radioactive nuclear waste could be permanently buried under national parks and areas of outstanding natural beauty (AONBs), under government plans backed by a committee of MPs.
Sustainable shopping: How are UK supermarkets tackling plastic pollution?
Whether it's products containing microbeads, items sold in unnecessary single-use packaging, or consumers opting for plastic bags at the checkout, Britain's supermarkets are at the epicentre of the plastics problem. Here, edie examines the new actions retailers are taking to reduce avoidable plastic waste.
Delta Air Lines to recycle 158 tonnes of old uniforms in textile diversion scheme
Delta Air Lines has announced that it will send more than 158 tonnes of its old uniforms to be upcycled or recycled in what it claims will be one of the largest textile diversion schemes by a single US-based corporation.
Starbucks' nationwide 5p cup charge to fund Hubbub's waste-cleaning boat
Starbucks has this week introduced its 5p paper cup charge to all 950 UK stores, with the proceeds of the charge to be used by environmental charity Hubbub to fund a plastic boat set to clean up waste in the Thames.
Canary Wharf Group commits to becoming world's first plastic-free commercial centre
Canary Wharf Group (CWG) has pledged to become a plastic-free community across its 16.5 million sq. ft London real estate, in a bid to help businesses and the wider community reduce the amount of single-use plastics in circulation.
Coca-Cola offers 50% discounts at major UK theme parks in exchange for plastic bottles
Coca-Cola Great Britain is offering 50% discounts to UK attractions such as Thorpe Park, Alton Towers and Legoland in exchange for used plastic drinks bottles, in a bid to change consumer attitudes towards recycling.
UK's plastic waste may be dumped overseas instead of recycled
Millions of tons of waste plastic from British businesses and homes may be ending up in landfill sites across the world, the government's spending watchdog has warned.
Asda joins Microfibre Consortium to reduce environmental impact of clothing
UK supermarket Asda has joined a consortium aimed at understanding how microfibre shedding occurs, in order to implement projects aimed at reducing how much volume seeps into the ocean.
How Coca-Cola is engaging policymakers and the public to combat plastics pollution
EXCLUSIVE: The head of sustainability at the world's largest independent Coca-Cola bottler believes the next 12 months are a "great opportunity" to influence policy to reform Producer Responsibility Obligations and implement an effective, nationwide deposit return system for plastics.
Ikea to ban plastic straws in all its UK stores and restaurants by October 2018
Global furniture retailer Ikea has announced (July 16) that it will stop selling packs of single-use plastic straws in its UK and Ireland stores later this year, as part of its commitment to eliminate all single-use plastics from its global product range by 2020.
Morrisons trials in-store deposit return system for plastic bottles
Supermarket giant Morrisons has launched a trial of an in-store deposit return scheme for plastic bottles, in a bid to minimise its plastic output and encourage customers to recycle.
Waste incineration set to overtake recycling in England, Greens warn
England is on the brink of burning more of its rubbish in incinerators than it recycles for the first time, according to a new analysis.
Starbucks to introduce 5p paper cup charge across all UK stores
Starbucks will add a 5p surcharge to paper cups in its 950 stores across the UK later this month, as well as vowing to eliminate single-use plastic straws from its global operations by 2020.
Cranswick launches redistribution programme to combat food poverty in Hull
Major premium food supplier Cranswick has launched a new collaborative initiative which will see it use a food sharing app to "go beyond redistribution" in its bid to combat food waste and hunger issues in Hull.
Iceland tests customer appetite for tackling plastic waste with paper bag trials
Frozen food giant Iceland has this week launched a paper bag trial, in a bid to reduce its plastics output and find out whether customers are willing to ditch plastic carrier bags at the checkout.
ASOS launches circular fashion training programme
Online fashion retailer ASOS has this week launched a new sustainable fashion training programme for designers, in a bid to minimise the environmental impact of its operations and stock more closed-loop clothing and accessories.
Plastic waste: edie report explores 10 gamechangers tackling the issue
With Britain's plastics revolution continuing to gather pace, edie has today (27 June) published a new insight report which investigates some of the game-changing developments and sustainable solutions to the global plastics problem.
Wetherspoon and FareShare partner up to tackle food waste
Pub chain J D Wetherspoon has teamed up with food redistribution platform FareShare in a bid to divert more of its food waste from landfill.
Food and drink giants collaborate to improve 'on-the-go' recycling in Leeds
A string of 18 corporations from the food and drink and packaging sectors, including Asda, Co-op and Marks and Spencer (M&S), have teamed up to launch a scheme aimed at boosting recycling rates for "on-the-go "packaging.
M&S, Sainsbury’s and Tesco team up on closed-loop solution for black plastics
Supermarket giants Tesco, Sainsbury's and Marks & Spencer (M&S) have collaborated to introduce a solution for hard-to-recycle black plastic that places recycled content into food-grade packaging.
Morrisons rolls out paper bags in produce aisles to cut plastic waste
Supermarket chain Morrisons has announced that it will stop offering single-use plastic bags in its fruit and vegetable aisles, in a bid to cut its plastic output by 150 million bags each year.
How close is London to achieving a circular economy?
EXCLUSIVE: A year after the launch of a route map outlining how the collective actions of the private sector could catalyse a transition to the circular economy in London, edie investigates how much progress has been made to close the loop.
MPs to examine environmental footprint of UK fashion industry
MPs are to investigate the environmental impact of throwaway "fast fashion" in the UK amid growing concerns that the multi-billion pound industry is wasting valuable resources and contributing to climate change.
Tax breaks on recycled content set for inclusion in UK's Resources and Waste Strategy
Increased rates of tax on virgin materials, coupled with tax breaks for manufacturers using recycled content in their products, are set to be included in the Government's new Resources and Waste Strategy (RWS), a Defra official has revealed.
Volvo to use 25% recycled plastic in new vehicles
After recently pledging to ban single-use plastics across its premises and events by the end of next year, Swedish carmaker Volvo has announced a new target of using at least 25% recycled plastic in all new vehicles it produces by 2025.
Recycled plastic could supply three-quarters of UK demand, report finds
Plastic recycled in the UK could supply nearly three-quarters of domestic demand for products and packaging if the government took action to build the industry, a new report said on Thursday.
Breaking the plastics habit: The changing role of business in achieving a circular economy
Between increasing consumer pressures and sluggish policy changes, corporates are being stretched to their limits to tackle the plastics problem - but it is critical that this sudden step-change in awareness of the issue does not lead to unintended consequences, as edie's Matt Mace investigates.
Landsec achieves zero-waste-to-landfill goal
Property developer Landsec has achieved its zero-waste-to-landfill ambition and is within touching distance of its 2020 target of recycling three-quarters of its waste, having sent 74.9% to be recycled in 2017.
Hanson UK hits waste and water reduction goals three years early
Building materials supplier Hanson UK has surpassed its 2020 waste goal of reducing the amount of non-process waste sent to landfill by 85% compared to 2010, while also reducing water usage by a third.
£5m Lottery grant to help FareShare divert 25,000 tonnes of food from landfill annually
Food redistribution charity FareShare claims that the £5m of National Lottery funding it has been awarded this week will enable it to almost double the amount of food it redistributes and diverts from landfill.
World Oceans Day: How businesses are tackling the plastics problem
Today (June 8) marks World Oceans Day, and businesses around the globe have announced new initiatives aimed at curbing the amount of plastics seeping into the oceans. Here, edie rounds up some of the best new business-led programmes.
£8m compliance fees to boost electronics recycling
More than £8m generated through compliance fees from the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive (WEEE) will be used to fund projects that increase the reuse and recycling of electronic items, the Joint Trade Association (JTA) has confirmed.
Quorn moves to eliminate black plastics from packaging supply chain
Vegetarian food brand Quorn Foods is switching almost 300 tonnes of hard-to-recycle black plastic packaging to clear, recyclable alternatives, at a cost to the company, to reduce the amount of plastic waste it produces.
Network Rail targets plastics, cups and coffee grounds in latest waste drive
Network Rail has unveiled sweeping plans to reduce waste across the country's busiest rail stations, by implementing a ban on plastic cutlery and expanding recycling schemes for disposable cups and waste coffee grounds.
World Environment Day: Seven countries leading the charge on plastics pollution
Today (5 June) marks World Environment Day, the UN’s global vehicle to inspire action on a plethora of pressing environmental issues, notably plastics pollution. Here, edie scans the globe to see how nations are putting an end to certain types of plastic.
Latte levy could cost UK £819m, paper cup industry claims
Introducing a 25p levy on drinks served in disposable cups could end up costing the UK economy £819m and removing 11,000 jobs from the coffee retail sector, new research from the UK’s eight largest paper cup manufacturers and suppliers has claimed.
AT&T sets zero-waste goal for 100 sites
The world's largest telecoms company AT&T has pledged to achieve zero-waste-to-landfill status across 100 of its facilities by 2020, including at its global headquarters in Dallas, Texas.
Scottish Parliament bans single-use coffee cups
Disposable coffee cups are set to be banned from the Scottish Parliament's main buildings next week in a bid to reduce the amount of single-use plastic waste from its operations.
European Commission plots ban on single-use plastics
The European Commission presented its long-awaited marine-litter-busting proposal on single-use plastics on Monday (28 May). The first legislative proposal from the Plastics Strategy aims to help the EU clean up the continent's beaches and waterways.
Hilton to halve environmental impact, starting with plastic straw ban
Global hospitality firm Hilton has unveiled a number of new sustainability ambitions that has seen it become the first in its sector to set an approved science-based target, alongside goals to halve water use and waste and remove plastic straws from its estate by the end of the year.
Tesco calls for recycling reform as it strives for 100% closed-loop packaging
Supermarket giant Tesco has strengthened its ambitions to make all its packaging across its UK operations closed-loop and is now calling on the Government to support the chain's aim by reforming the nation's recycling infrastructure.
Iceland becomes first supermarket to trial in-store deposit-return system
Frozen food retailer Iceland has become the UK's first supermarket to trial an in-store deposit-return scheme in support of the Government's recently announced intention to launch a nationwide rollout of the scheme.
Princes commits to make bottles with 50% recycled plastic
Consumer goods giant Princes has pledged to increase the proportion of post-consumer recycled (PCR) content in its plastic soft drink and oil bottles to more than 50% within four months, as part of an ongoing goal of using 100% PCR plastic in all its packaging.
Environmental goods sector outstrips rest of UK economy
The UK's environmental goods and services sector (EGSS) grew almost four times faster than the wider economy between 2010-2015, the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) figures have revealed.
Co-op to trial reverse vending for plastic bottles at UK festivals
Co-op will become the first retailer in the UK to use reverse vending machines as part of a deposit return scheme from plastic containers, with trials set to take place at pop-up stores across UK festivals this summer.
UK spearheads new £50m plastics innovation hub
Unilever and Waitrose have backed a new UK-led research and innovation hub that aims to tackle plastic waste through innovative solutions.
Worries mount over waste incineration as 'renewable energy'
A coalition of green NGOs and industries in the business of recycling, chemicals, forestry and the bio-based economy wrote to policymakers on Thursday (3 May), urging them to prevent incineration of unrecyclable waste from being counted as renewable energy.
Wimbledon announces ban on plastic straws for 2018 championship
The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) has announced it will use recyclable paper straws for the 2018 Wimbledon tournament, in a bid to prevent more than 400,000 plastic straws going to landfill.
Wetherspoon and Veolia partner up to tackle food waste
Pub chain J D Wetherspoon has teamed up with waste management firm Veolia to convert more than 11,000 tonnes of food waste into green energy.
Compass turns to behaviour change to reduce food waste
Contract caterer Compass UK & Ireland has teamed up with food management firm Winnow and social charity Hubbub for a new behaviour change campaign to find out what makes diners at corporate restaurants waste less food.
Waitrose donates £1m to tackle marine plastic pollution
Waitrose has announced the donation of £1m to support the fight against plastic pollution, using money raised from its plastic carrier bag levy funds.
Premier League partners with Sky to eliminate single-use plastics by 2020
Sky has teamed with the Premier League to eliminate single-use plastics from the organisation by 2020, while encouraging football clubs and fans to stop using certain plastics.
Reusable cup use climbs 156% at Starbucks during 5p charge trials
The number of consumers using a reusable cup in Starbucks stores located across London has shot up by 156% in just six weeks, following the introduction of a 5p paper cup charge.
UK retailers 'will not suffer financial losses' from bottle deposit scheme
Retailers will not suffer financial losses from the introduction of a plastic bottle deposit return scheme (DRS) in the UK, according to an analysis of a similar system in Norway.
Boston Tea Party becomes first coffee chain to ban all disposable cups
UK-based Boston Tea Party (BTP) will become the first coffee chain to implement an outright ban on disposable, paper-based coffee cups, with consumers having to purchase or loan reusable cups from 1 June 2018.
Heathrow Airport champions coffee cup recycling in 2018 sustainability update
EXCLUSIVE: Heathrow will recycle all disposable coffee cups that are sold and discarded onsite by the end of the year, the Airport's chief executive John Holland-Kaye announced during an edie webinar (23 April).
Theresa May outlines plan to ban plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds
Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that a consultation will take place later this year to prepare England for a national ban on plastic straws, drink stirrers and plastic-stemmed cotton buds.
Costa aims to lead industry transformation with pledge to recycle half a billion coffee cups
EXCLUSIVE: Costa Coffee's energy & environment manager Oliver Rosevear has said the retailer wants to drive cross-industry collaboration on coffee cup recycling, as it today (18 April) makes a bold commitment to recycle the equivalent of its entire annual sales of takeaway cups – at a financial cost to the business.
Sky and National Geographic join forces in fight against marine plastic pollution
Global broadcasters Sky and National Geographic have teamed up to drive a global media campaign to reduce plastic litter in the ocean.
Waitrose to remove disposable coffee cups from stores by autumn
Waitrose has ramped up its efforts to tackle plastic waste with a pledge to remove all disposable coffee cups from its shops before the end of 2018.
Drop in plastic bags littering British seas linked to introduction of 5p charge
A big drop in plastic bags found in the seas around Britain has been credited to the introduction of charges for plastic bags across Europe.
Waitrose builds on plastics pledge by switching to paper straws in cafes
Waitrose has revealed it will build on a commitment to stop selling packs of single-use plastics straws later this year, by replacing all plastic straws used in its onsite cafes with Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified paper alternatives.
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