The Queen has given the royal seal of approval to banning single-use plastic, with the news that the royal estates will join the growing number of organisations to phase out disposable plastics.

Work is continuing on a disposable plastics tax in Wales, despite it not being chosen from a shortlist of four new taxes to be introduced by the Welsh Government.

Products with high recycled content could be given lower VAT rates to stimulate demand in secondary markets, following a new proposal by the European Commission, says FEAD.

Environmental Audit Committee Chair Mary Creagh spoke at the annual Kit Strange Memorial Lecture about the successes of the past year, the challenges ahead and the need to push the government for strong legislation on waste and resources.

Our annual power list of movers and shakers in the waste and resources industry attracted a record number of votes this year. Here, you’ll find the winners from 100 to one, each accompanied by a voter’s glowing review. Read on to discover who has played their cards right and proved to be our Top Trump for 2018

A new plastic recycling facility has been given the go-ahead in Warwickshire after Beauparc Utilities chose the UK site instead of Dublin, reportedly due to permit delays in Ireland and the urgent need for capacity.

Resources Minister Therese Coffey says that she ‘challenges the view’ that the Chinese ban on waste imports presents a crisis for the UK, but suggested that dramatic rules on packaging could be on the way.

Co-op will be the first UK retailer to roll out 100 per cent biodegradable, plastic-free tea bags in its own-brand Fairtrade 99 range of tea.

Five recyclable and compostable packaging innovations will share $1 million of funding after being announced as the winners of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Materials Challenge in Davos, Switzerland, designed to finding alternatives to plastic packaging.

New public water fountains and bottle refill points are set to be set up across London, part of Mayor Sadiq Khan’s campaign against single-use plastic waste.