Four consumer brands are responsible for half a million tonnes of plastic pollution each year in just six developing countries, according to a new report by charity Tearfund.

Emma Elston MBE, Founder and Chief Executive of UK Container Maintenance (UKCM), will be heading up the prestigious Women of the Year Luncheon and Awards for the second year running.

The trade union Unite has confirmed that Wirral refuse workers voted in favour of strike action in a pay dispute with waste management company Biffa last Thursday but a walkout is postponed amidst the current coronavirus crisis.

The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) has launched an online survey for local authorities across England to establish the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on waste and recycling services.

The Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH) has published draft guidance on reducing the risks of Covid-19 transmission in a variety of waste management contexts.

With waste workers deemed ‘key workers’ and essential to keeping public services running, leading industry associations have raised concerns over how to keep waste operatives safe during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Recycling Association has asked Defra to ensure that household recycling collections are maintained to maintain sufficient availability of material for food and medical supply packaging.

The UK waste sector has issued a joint statement to the public urging residents to follow government advice on managing their household rubbish to minimise the spread of coronavirus to waste workers and warning of emergency service changes.

UK waste management companies are working up contingency plans to ensure that they are able to continue to provide waste services and keep their operatives safe during the coronavirus outbreak.

Veolia and the trade union Unite have reached a settlement over unpaid holiday pay to refuse workers in Tower Hamlets to ensure streets are clean during the coronavirus crisis.