A round-up of news from the waste and resources industry, including DS Smith, UL, Rubicon and J&B Recycling

A group of 119 experts and scientists have signed a statement reassuring the public that reusable containers are safe to use during the Covid-19 pandemic, provided hygiene measures are followed.

The risk posed to the waste and resources sector by Brexit has increased over the last few months, with the UK falling further behind EU standards and ambition, according to Greener UK’s latest Brexit Risk Tracker.

Chinese customs authorities have intercepted over 500,000 tonnes of illegal waste under the ‘Blue Sky 2020’ campaign and plan to continue the crackdown on illicit domestic and foreign waste imports.

Plans to include fuels made from non-renewable materials in the EU’s renewable energy plans could undermine recycling progress, according to a new policy briefing by Zero Waste Europe, Bellona Europe and Rethink Plastic.

Waste management company Viridor has re-won the contract to process Ealing Council’s dry mixed recycling, worth £10 million.

Two new river plastic capture devices have been installed in Thailand by the TerraCycle Thai Foundation in a bid to clean up Thailand’s waterways.

A coalition of trade organisations has written to the Environment Secretary George Eustice (1 June) pressing for a ‘total ban’ on oxodegradable plastics.

BBIA Managing Director David Newman looks at how Italy’s new EPR scheme for compostable packaging will work and what lessons it can provide the UK as it revises its packaging EPR system.

The British Standards Institution (BSI) has announced a new project to create the first specification for the management of plastic pellets, flakes and powders to prevent pollution caused by this form of plastic.