Government
GovTech Catalyst competition winners announced
The successful projects include research into tracking waste through electronic chips and sensors, the use of blockchain, looking at common reporting platforms, and new data analytics Read more
Deputy Minister urges Welsh public to have their say on plastic waste
The Welsh Government has been working with the other UK nations on a comprehensive UK wide approach to address the problems created by commonly littered single use plastics Read more
Government Deposit Return Scheme draws criticism from environmental groups
The DRS has been proposed with two options, the “all-in” model, which would target a large amount of drinks beverages placed on the market, irrespective of size, and the “on-the-go” model, which would restrict the drinks containers in-scope to those Read more
MPs call for bold national Plastic Packaging Plan to help consumers protect our oceans and create green UK jobs
The “Plastics Packaging Plan: Achieving Net Zero ‘Waste’ Exports” is backed by 12 cross-party politicians and says the UK must urgently take back control of its share of the global plastics problem Read more
MP’s call for ban on exporting plastic waste
The move has come after a number of Asian countries, including China, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, have limited and banned incoming plastic waste Read more
British Plastics Federation calls on government to avoid a no-deal Brexit
The BPF believes that a no-deal Brexit would create major issues for the plastics industry Read more
The 'plastic road' (Credit: MacRebur)
Plastic preventing potholes: Transport Secretary commits millions to road improvement trials
Funding for new plastics-based technology that could help stop potholes from forming has been announced by the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling. Read more
Government says long-term harm from plastic pollution is unknown “because we haven’t looked hard enough”
New report focuses on the risks posed by plastic pollution, climate change, and deep-sea mining Read more
Resources and Waste Strategy brings whole-system change
Environment Secretary launches long-awaited blueprint that will see overhaul of ERP system, DRS implementation and consistency in household collections. Read more
Budget: Tax on plastic packaging; £20m investment in recycling; PRN reform
Everything you need to know at-a-glance about the Chancellor's new measures relating to reducing plastics waste announced in the Autumn 2018 budget. Read more
Government launches consultation on planned plastic straw ban
The Government has launched a six-week consultation on its plans to ban the sale and distribution of plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds. Read more
Therese Coffey at the Parliamentary Reception
“Do not feel under threat” Coffey tells plastics industry
Therese Coffey has told the UK plastics industry not to feel under threat, but to see the Government’s upcoming Plastic Waste and Recycling Strategy as "an opportunity”. Read more
Carrier bag sales in the biggest seven English supermarkets have fallen since the introduction of the 5p charge in 2015.
PM confirms plans to extend plastic bag charge
During visit to Kenya Prime Minister announces consultation on extending plastic bag charge to all retailers and increasing minimum charge to 10p. Read more
The Chancellor will announce new policies to tackle plastics waste in the Budget statement
Consultation on single-use plastics receives largest response in Treasury’s history
The call to evidence on plastic waste and litter announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement has received 162,000 responses - the largest number in the Treasury’s history - with ideas for taxes on 'single-use' plastics and incineration "promising" Read more
UK launches research and innovation hub to tackle plastic pollution in our oceans
UK launches new research and innovation hub to tackle plastic pollution in our seas and oceans. Read more
Plastic straws in Defra consultation crosshairs as Government cracks down on single-use plastics
Sales of drinks stirrers, straws and cotton buds could be banned by the Government with a new consultation against single-use plastics announced to Commonwealth leaders. Read more
BPF welcomes Gov action on marine plastic waste at CHOGM
The British Plastics Federation, the peak body for the plastics trade in the UK, has released a statement welcoming the funding pledge to help Commonwealth nations research marine plastics prevention. Read more
PM pledges £60m package to fight plastic pollution at CHOGM
As 52 leaders of the Commonwealth nations gather for the Heads of Government meeting in London this week, the British Prime Minister Theresa May announced the creation of a fund to tackle marine plastics. Read more
MP chair of packaging committee highlights progress in plastics sustainability
Rugby MP Mark Pawsey has spoken to Parliament's magazine the House on the progress on recycling in the packaging industry. Read more
Shutterstock.com
UK government rejects strong EU recycling targets
Confidential documents reveal the government is opposing new recycling targets across the EU despite its recent plastic pledge. Read more
-
richardcalver Getty Images/iStockphoto
177391816
LiteFit plastic inserts take off with the Eurofighter Typhoon
