£1.4M prize awaits U.K. circular plastics flagship projects
This competition aims to engage Britain’s best scientists and innovators to help move the country towards a more circular economy and sustainable approaches to plastics.
Circular economy & zero waste
Austin bans restaurants from throwing food waste into landfills
Austin’s Universal Recycling Ordinance requires all food-permitted businesses to divert discarded organic material, including food scraps and soiled paper, from landfills.
The Oregon Beverage Recycling Cooperative debuts a bottle that can be cleaned, refilled, and resold without being broken down
It’s the first such system in the country, according to the report, and could vastly decrease the environmental impact of beverage sales.
Henkel commits to make all packaging recyclable by 2025
Germany-based consumer goods company Henkel has committed to make all of its packaging recyclable, reusable or compostable by 2025 to promote a circular economy.
Ethiopia opens Africa’s first waste-to-energy facility
It is supposed to take 1,400 tons of waste daily which figure comes up to about 80% of refuse generated by Addis Ababa. It will go on to supply the capital with 30% household electricity needs whiles conforming to global standards on air emissions.
McDonald’s and Starbucks are joining forces to build a fully recyclable, compostable cup of the future
Starbucks and McDonald are teaming up on sustainable cups and inviting all of their competitors in the industry to join in.
Europe’s first solar panel recycling plant opens in France
French water and waste group Veolia has opened what it says is Europe’s first recycling plant for solar panels as thousands of tonnes of ageing solar panels are set to reach the end of their life.
Baltimore mayor signs bill banning foam containers
The bill signed Thursday gives businesses 18 months to stop using containers made from this material, commonly called Styrofoam.
E.U. Parliament approves new measures to create a circular economy
“By 2025, at least 55% of municipal waste (from households and businesses) should be recycled. The target will rise to 60% by 2030 and 65% by 2035.”
U.K.’s Costa Coffee to recycle equivalent of all its takeaway cups each year
U.K.’s largest coffee shop chain has pledged to recycle up to 500m cups a year by 2020 — a fifth of the total used in the country