Circular Economy

European Commission adopts ambitious new Circular Economy Package

Source: European Commission – PRESS RELEASES – Press release – Closing the loop: Commission adopts ambitious new Circular Economy Package to boost competitiveness, create jobs and generate sustainable growth Today the Commission adopted an ambitious new Circular Economy Package to stimulate Europe’s transition towards a circular economy which will boost global competitiveness, foster sustainable economic growth and generate new jobs. Today the European Commission adopted an ambitious new Circular...

DEFRA Consult on changes to the plastic packaging recycling business targets for 2016 & 2017 and glass targets for 2018 – 2020

DEFRA Source: Consultation letter.pdf DEFRA Today launched a consultation to revise the Plastic and Glass Recycling Targets from 2016 – 2020. The consultation remains open until the 23rd December 2015, with a view to making any amendments early in 2016.  A full copy of the consultation can be found at DEFRA website: https://consult.defra.gov.uk/waste/plasticandglasstargets A Summary is provided below. To respond Directly please email packaging@defra.gsi.gov.uk The UK’s Producer Responsibility (Packaging...

DEFRA Publishes Producer Responsibility Consultation Summary Responses – Packaging

  DEFRA this morning published the Summary Responses to the recent Producer Responsibility Consultation. Click for the full report. In Summary the proposed Actions – The Plastic packaging recycling target will now be reviewed for future years, hopefully down and over a longer period. This follows a recent WRAP Plastic Flow project which identified an over estimate (320k tonnes) of Plastic Packaging placed on the UK market. Plastic PRN...

Making Things Last: Scottish Govt. Consultation on creating a more circular economy in Scotland

Source: Citizen Space – Making Things Last: Consultation on creating a more circular economy in Scotland Consultation Paper, 2.1 MB (PDF document) This consultation explores the priorities for building a more circular economy – where products and materials are kept in high value use for as long as possible.  It builds on Scotland’s progress in the zero waste and resource efficiency agendas, with a new focus on a much...

Irn-Bru bottle return scheme ends  – AG Barr

Irn-Bru bottle return scheme ends Soft drinks manufacturer A.G. Barr has announced its 110-year-old deposit return scheme for glass bottles, including Irn-Bru, will close after a reduction in customers using the scheme. The firm said its scheme to offer customers a cash exchange saw 90% of its bottles (pictured) returned to retailers in the early 90s, but this has now dropped to 50%. Barr has instructed retailers to continue...

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation launches “Delivering the circular economy – a toolkit for policymakers” – Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Source: The Ellen MacArthur Foundation launches “Delivering the circular economy – a toolkit for policymakers” – Ellen MacArthur Foundation he Ellen MacArthur Foundation today launches the results of its latest research which provides, for the first time, an actionable toolkit for policymakers who wish to embark on a circular economy transition. The toolkit complements the recently published report Growth Within: A circular economy vision for a competitive Europe by...

Coca-Cola displays first PlantBottle made from 100% plant materials |

The Coca-Cola Company has unveiled the world’s first PET plastic bottle made entirely from plant materials at the World Expo – Milan. PlantBottle packaging “pushes the boundaries on sustainable innovation by using groundbreaking technology to create a fully recyclable plastic bottle made from renewable plant materials,” said the soft drinks giant. The current version of PlantBottle, which is made from up to 30% plant-based materials, was launched in 2009....

Packaging Recycling Group Scotland rejects plans for a Deposit Return System

Source: Packaging Recycling Group Scotland Packaging Recycling Group Scotland rejects plans for a Deposit Return System 19.06.15  A proposed Deposit Return System under consideration by the Scottish Government fails on nearly every practical level and ignores current consumer behaviour, according to a leading industry consortium. The Packaging Recycling Group Scotland (PRGS) today (18 June 2015) submitted evidence rejecting Scottish Government proposals for a DRS, detailing the lack of consultation...

The Carbon Impacts of the Circular Economy in Scotland Report Launched today

Source: CIoCE Summary Report – FINAL – 15.06.15.pdf The Report Uses Scotland’s Carbon Metric to quantify the potential carbon impacts of a more circular economy in Scotland. The report’s key findings are: 1. Material consumption is responsible for over two thirds of Scotland’s carbon emissions. 2. A more circular Scottish economy could reduce territorial emissions by 11 million tonnes CO2e per year by 2050 compared to BAU, while providing...

Business Backs Low Carbon Britain – Open Letter to Cameron