Environmental consultancy Eunomia Research & Consulting has been appointed by the European Commission to run a study investigating how to reduce the effects of microplastics escaping into the oceans.

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.

West Midlands recycling company Arrow Recycling Ltd has been fined £160,000 after a worker was left in a coma when he was crushed by a falling stack of baled cardboard.

Absorbent hygiene product recycler Knowaste’s appeal against a planning rejection for a new plant in West London has also been rejected, leaving the company assessing its options about whether to continue its search for a new development.

PHS Group has unveiled a new facility in the West Midlands that turns absorbent hygiene products like nappies and tampons into fuel.

Following updated guidance suggesting black plastic be added to ‘not recycled’ lists, the BBC magazine programme has taken a look at the difficulty in sorting such plastic trays, as well as a potential solution.

The European Parliament has voted to take on proposals to raise the European recycling target to 70 per cent by 2030 and to determine a single calculation method for recycling rates ahead of negotiations for the EU’s Circular Economy Package.

A round-up of some of the more unusual stories coming out of the waste and resources world...

The impact of disposable drinks packaging on the environment is to be investigated by MPs after the growth of high profile campaigns against takeaway coffee cups and plastic bottles.

The United Nations has launched a global campaign, #CleanSeas, to eliminate the major sources of marine litter by 2022, calling on governments, industry and consumers to take action.