MetalMatters, the industry-funded recycling campaign, will reach over half a million UK households in 2015, it says.

A round-up of news from the waste and resources sector, including Ultra Biofuel lorries, franchising of recycling centre shops and Scottish funding for convenient stores.

Following the publication of Quarter 3 data showing a drop in recycling figures from last year, plastic recycling organisation RECOUP has called for changes to the PRN system.

Manufacturing and retail waste has reduced by 3.2 per cent since 2012, though packaging weight has increased by 0.7 per cent, according to interim results for Courtauld 3.

A UK bioplastics sector could add £2 billion to the economy just through packaging with a proper legislative framework, says a new report.

Most product waste in Europe is not covered by extended producer responsibility schemes, Zero Waste Europe has found.

Industry members have backed planned government changes to packaging and battery legislation.

A study by the nova-Institute has concluded that natural products such as apricot kernels, beeswax and bio-based and biodegradable polymers could replace microplastics in cosmetics.

RWM, the exhibition for recycling and waste management, takes place in Birmingham next week, and will this year focus on innovation and insight on circular economy ambitions.

A £25-million glass recycling facility in Lanarkshire will benefit Scottish drinks manufacturers, according to Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead, who opened it yesterday.