The Government Chief Scientific Advisor, Sir Mark Walport, has warned about the sheer bulk of waste being produced in the UK before emphasising the opportunities for generating value from this waste and creating a more prosperous society.

Environment Secretary Michael Gove has reportedly laid out plans to make recycling easier for families by requiring greater consistency in recycling collections across the UK, as well as reducing the total amount of plastic used in the UK, as part of a four-point plan.

Agreement on legislation designed to make Europe more resource efficient has been welcomed by industry groups, but with the caveat that reduced ambition in EU plans risks slowing down the transition to a circular economy.

The Green Investment Bank was sold too cheaply and would have been worth more if the government had waited for a sale, according to a report by the National Audit Office.

Peterborough City Council is bringing its 23-year waste management contract with Amey to a premature end, just seven years in, at a cost of £500,000.

A report from RECOUP has found that only 42 per cent of local authorities provide ‘On the Go’ collection units for both litter and recycling, citing significant costs and lack of budget for the lack of facilities.

Cafes located in buildings run by Bristol City Council will soon be placing a charge on disposable coffee cups to try and promote reusable cups and mugs among customers.

International affairs think tank Chatham House is seeking to build an evidence base for circular economy opportunities in developing countries, and whether they could help such nations ‘leapfrog’ to more sustainable development pathways.

Countrystyle Recycling has been handed a six-figure fine after an employee was hit by a telehandler in 2015, leaving him with severe brain injuries.

UK-based Vanden Recycling has calculated that alternative destinations for waste exports will not be able to make up the shortfall in capacity resulting from China’s plan to ban waste imports in 2018.