The European Commission has promised action to make products more durable, repairable, and recyclable as a new study shows just how smart design can transform products.

Up to £4 billion of value is currently ‘hidden’ in the waste generated by three major sectors and could be extracted with better reuse, recycling and remanufacturing, says Veolia.

Industry groups have both supported and criticised Waste Minister Therese Coffey’s move to reject a proposal by the Liberal Democrats to bring in a 5p charge on disposable coffee cups to reduce waste.

Terrifying news: 15 million carved pumpkins go uneaten in the UK during Halloween each year. Hubbub and Unilever have relaunched their #PumpkinRescue campaign to get people eating their glowing decorations.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation has partnered with the International Baccalaureate to work on embedding circular economy teaching into the IB curriculum.

Funding of £1.5 million is to be made available for businesses and research institutions working in the bioeconomy in Scotland to support innovative work that will help deliver circular economy growth.

Professor Margaret Bates, the new President of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management, has prioritised action on waste prevention and reuse for the coming year, as a report on the state of reuse in the UK is launched at her inauguration.

Compliance scheme Recolight has  urged local authorities to save money by taking advantage of new government classifications and including commercial waste lamps in free household collections.

Apps targeting food and DIY waste and a CO2–absorbing urban tree are among the innovations chosen as finalists for this year’s Green Alley Award.

Waste created by students decamping from their halls has been addressed by a partnership between the University of St Andrews and The Furniture Recycling Group.