In a world first, key global stakeholders including Nestlé and PepsiCo are backing new enzymatic technology in a bid to boost the recyclability of PET plastic products.

Mineral water brand Evian is set to launch a new in-home water dispenser that it says will result in a significant reduction in plastic packaging.

A report by Greenpeace and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives critiques the “inefficient” and “predatory” system of plastic waste exports from wealthy countries to communities in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Waste management company Biffa has called on the government to recommend the separate collection of paper and card from households in addition to food waste in its eventual core materials collection model.

Technology company Bühler UK Ltd and litter collection tool company The Helping Hand Company have been awarded Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in the fields of Innovation and International Trade.

Cup collection and recycling service Simply Cups is set to expand its coverage into the Netherlands and Belgium from June in a bid to capture the 4.5 billion cups used in the two countries every year.

PowerHouse Energy, the developer of waste-to-hydrogen technology, has signed an agreement for engineering services with Waste2Tricity.

Diageo, parent company of Guinness, Harp and Smithwick’s beers, has pledged to remove plastic rings from its multipacks of cans as part of a drive to reduce plastic waste.

Coffee chain Starbucks and environmental charity Hubbub have come together to launch The Cup Fund, which will see grants going to at least 10 large-scale cup recycling projects.

Waste management company Biffa has announced a three-year partnership with UK-based charity WasteAid, which will see the company support WasteAid financially and share its expertise with communities in low-income countries to improve the management of waste.