Exchange for Change (the UK DRS operator) has confirmed that a flat 20p deposit will be applied to all in-scope containers as part of the upcoming deposit return scheme (DRS). Commenting on the announcement, Travis Way, managing director at RVM experts EcoVend, part of international circular economy specialists Reconomy, said: ‘While much of the industry had anticipated a flat 20p deposit, its confirmation is a helpful step forward for businesses preparing for the UK’s Depo

Specsavers has announced that it is funding a full national roll out of its successful recycling boxes across all of its UK stores, offering customers the chance to responsibly manage their unwanted glasses, case and contact lens packaging. The boxes are provided in partnership with MyGroup, a recycling and waste management company that allows hard to recycle plastic that would otherwise end up in landfill to be separated, sorted and recycled. It then transforms the recyc

New research has mapped the scale of microplastics moving from packaging into food and drinks and concluded the process is predictable and preventable. ‘From Pack to Plate’, published by Earth Action in collaboration with rePurpose Global, is the first global synthesis of micro and nano plastics migrating from food packaging. It estimates packaging releases around 1000 tonnes of plastic particles each year. That is roughly equivalent to the weight of more than 600 cars.

The UK Packaging Pact had its official launch at Sustainable Ventures. Attended by founding signatories, the event brought together businesses, governments, and experts to mark the start of a ten year programme to unlock progress towards transforming the UK’s packaging system into a sustainable operation through coordinated action, across multiple sectors. Catherine David, CEO, WRAP, said: ‘The UK Packaging Pact is a unique, complete system approach to unlocking packaging

Improving commercial Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) ratings is becoming a strategic priority for organisations managing property portfolios and compliance risk. With proposed changes to Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards and increasing scrutiny of non domestic building performance, many businesses are now reassessing EPC exposure across their estates. Yet understanding which building features are holding performance back, and what changes might realistically improve an

Electric vehicle (EV) charge point operator (CPO) Believ has partnered with Mitchells & Butlers, one of the UK’s leading pub and restaurant companies, to deliver fully funded EV charging infrastructure across a significant number of its sites nationwide. Believ’s charge points use 100% renewable electricity, which supports Mitchells & Butlers’ sustainability strategy: helping to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to achieve its goal of being net zero by 2040. The agreement w

The Arboricultural Association is joining the ‘Big Give Earth Raise’ campaign to raise £5000 in just one week. Every donation to the Championing Trees and Green Equity campaign will be doubled next week thanks to the Big Give’s match fund, making double the difference for the Arb Association. Some communities have five times fewer trees than others and ensuring trees are established requires preparation, aftercare and resources. This campaign will help train volunteers,

Microfibre pollution from large scale laundry operations is emerging as a significant and largely unseen environmental issue. New research led by the University of Portsmouth is using Cleaner Seas Group’s industrial filtration technology – already deployed in commercial settings to better understand the scale of the problem and how it can be prevented before it reaches our waterways. The study builds on previous data that revealed more than 700,000 microfibres can be releas

Wind and solar power have grown faster than almost anyone predicted but projecting their future expansion remains surprisingly difficult. Researchers at Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden, have developed what they call a computational ‘time machine’ – a model that outperforms existing projection methods by using AI techniques to analyse historical growth patterns across countries. Their central projection shows that onshore wind is likely to supply around 25% of global

On 1 October 2026, Recoup will hold its Plastics Assembly in Peterborough. Created to accelerate practical progress, this one day event is designed for professionals who want to drive real change, connect with peers, and gain fresh insight into the solutions shaping tomorrow’s circular plastics system. Attendees will gain: Direct insight into current and emerging priorities in design, infrastructure, behaviour and policy. Deep dives into the issues shaping the next decade.

Greggs has published its 2025 Sustainability Report – The Greggs Pledge – which reflects on the significant progress to date against the targets established in 2021, and sets out the evolution of its commitments to 2030. Aligned with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, The Greggs Pledge presents the company’s commitments to making the world a better place, centred on three key pillars – building stronger, healthier communities; making our planet safer; and becoming a bett

A new project is set to transform degraded coastal environments through the installation of pioneering floating wetlands – including a rarely trialled floating saltmarsh system in a marine setting. The project, led by the University of Portsmouth in partnership with Southern Water, will see specially designed floating pontoons, engineered to support saltmarsh vegetation, deployed in coastal waters. Their purpose will be to recreate crucial lost green habitats in areas domin

Fishersgate based label manufacturer A4 Labels is celebrated a significant environmental milestone this Earth Day, announcing the impact achieved through its ongoing partnership with Seven Clean Seas. To date, A4 Labels’ sponsorship has supported the removal of 3311 kg of plastic waste from the ocean, all cleared from the Indonesian coastline – one of the regions most affected by marine pollution. The partnership, which forms part of A4 Labels’ long term eco pledge, has a

With nearly half (45%) of respondents planning to purchase an electric vehicle (EV) or other electric transport in the next five years, traditional, reactive approaches to grid management are no longer effective. The surge in adoption of EVs is expected to dramatically increase electricity demand, particularly at the low voltage distribution level where most charging occurs. With the electrification of transport in full swing, distribution network operators (DNOs) are setti

Metsä Group has started a pre-engineering project for the first commercial biogenic, ie wood based, carbon capture plant. As part of the plant’s financing plan, the company has submitted an application for a reverse auction organised by Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment which distributes investment aid for clean transition projects. The plant would be located at the company’s Rauma pulp mill in southwestern Finland, and its nominal capacity would be appr