Bioplastic manufacturer Novamont has pledged to create a minimum bio-based content of 40 per cent across its MATER-BI bioplastics range in an attempt to further reduce the carbon impact of its products.

Stella McCartney has entered a long-term partnership with marine protection network Parley for the Oceans to use material made from recovered ocean plastic in her fashion lines.

A round-up of news from the waste and resources sector including a new reprocessing contract for Casepak, new packaging made from eggshells, RCVs for students and HSBC funding for a waste start-up.

Packaging materials made from upcycled agricultural residual waste have been named ‘Bio-based Material of the Year 2017’ at the 10th International Conference on Bio-based Materials.

The Co-op has announced plans to move to 100 per cent recyclable plastic packaging for its own-brand products after a motion was passed unanimously at its AGM.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and The Prince of Wales’ International Sustainability Unit have launched a $2 million Innovation Prize to prevent plastic waste from entering the oceans.

The Ocean Cleanup project has announced a ‘new design breakthrough’ and that it will be able to begin deployment of its innovative system in Great Pacific Garbage Patch in 2018.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has launched a Circular Fibres Initiative to investigate how a new global circular economy for textiles could be developed.

Novamont’s MATER-BI bioplastic carrier bags have been shown to be 100 per cent biodegradable in anaerobic digestion plants in Germany, a scientific study has shown.

Six materials, including a bioplastic composite paper, a wetsuit made from natural rubber, and packaging made from up-cycled agricultural residuals have been announced as the finalists for Bio-Based Material of the Year 2017.