Drinks containers made from aluminium, steel, glass and PET plastic will now carry a 20 pence deposit in Scotland as part of the Scottish Government’s new deposit return scheme.

Councillors in Swansea have rejected a planning application by waste management company Biffa for a new energy-from-waste facility after a campaign by local residents.

An HMRC proposal could see VAT increased by 15 per cent for household renewable energy installations such as solar panels and biomass boilers.

A report from the Committee on Climate Change says the UK can reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, but will need to invest in low-carbon energy technologies and implement a ban on biodegradable waste to landfill by 2025.

Until 31 July, the UK Government will be matching public donations up to £2 million to help communities in low-income countries manage their waste.

FCC Communities Foundation – formerly known as WREN – has rebranded to foster a closer working relationship with waste management company FCC Environment as it seeks to fund more community projects with landfill tax revenues.

The Welsh Government has announced its £6.5 million Circular Economy Fund, aiming to drive Wales towards its 2025 recycling target of 70 per cent.

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.