Environment
Features
PVC industry is "well on track" to meet recycling targets, finds latest report
VinylPlus, the Voluntary Commitment to sustainable development of the European PVC industry, recycled 771,313 tonnes of PVC in 2019 - more than 96 per cent of the programme’s 2020 target. Read more
First specification to prevent plastic pellet pollution hailed as “landmark step in the right direction”
The fast-tracked standardisation document will provide an important tool for companies to demonstrate good practice in pellet loss prevention measures across the supply chain. Read more
Baylis & Harding partners with TerraCycle to recycle pumps, caps and tubes
The new initiative, which is applicable to all of Baylis & Harding’s products, allows consumers to send their plastic pumps, caps and tubes, which can’t be recycled via local council recycling systems, to TerraCycle. Read more
Design for Recycling tool to be optimised for harmonised EU-wide assessment
Launched in 2019, the RecyClass platform brought together several members from across the plastics packaging value chain to create a free-to-use platform with guidelines, scoring tools and test protocols to assess the recyclability of a pack. Read more
Ministers urge councils to plan for safe re-opening of recycling centres
Councils are being encouraged to open sites to avoid the build-up of waste in homes and businesses and reduce the opportunity for fly-tipping - but only where social distancing can be maintained and the public and staff can be kept safe. Read more
ESA
Plymouth Marine Laboratory experts use satellite data to detect marine plastic
A paper authored by Lauren Biermann and her colleagues outline their approach, which uses data from the European Space Agency Sentinel-2 satellites and is able to distinguish plastics from other materials with 86 per cent accuracy. Read more
