Australia could become the latest country bring in stricter single-use plastic restrictions after the Labor Party announced plans to ban microbeads and lightweight plastic bags.

Scotland has reported a slight drop in its recycling rate to 58.9 per cent for 2017 amid an increase in total waste generated, according to official figures from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

A round up of news from the waste and recycling sector, including new contracts for FCC Environment, plans for a recycling facility in South Gloucestershire, new JCB loaders for Countrystyle Recycling and the launch of a tool to help councils assess the impact of government waste policies.

Recycling equipment hire company CRJ Services Ltd and distributor Matpro Machinery Ltd have announced the amalgamation of the two companies into a single brand in a bid to streamline internal processes and meet customers’ demands more effectively.

MEPs in the European Parliament have approved plans to ban some single-use plastic products and increase the collection and recycling of plastic bottles, with legislation to be implemented in member states by 2021.

The Nappy (Environmental Standards) Bill has been launched in Parliament designed to promote the use of reusable nappies.

A new food waste reduction project has been launched by Zero Waste Scotland across Dundee, Angus and Fife as regions aim to meet the Scottish Government’s goal of reducing food waste by 33 per cent by 2025.

The government has warned waste exporters to expect delays at container ports such as the Port of Dover in the event that the UK leaves the EU without a deal, and says businesses should seek ‘alternative’ export, recovery or disposal routes for their waste.

Birmingham, Bristol, Manchester and central Scotland will each play host to Hubbub’s new boat made from 99 per cent recycled plastic, in order to raise awareness of growing levels of plastic pollution in the country’s waterways.

An inquiry has been launched by Parliament’s Housing, Communities and Local Government Committee into the effects of the new Resources and Waste Strategy on English local authorities.