Plastics
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Fashion giants vow to end contributions to global warming and ocean plastic pollution
A coalition of 32 big-name fashion firms including H&M Group, Inditex and Nike have signed a new industry commitment targeting zero climate change impact by mid-century.
Reading & Leeds festivals pledge to go plastic-free
The organiser of large-scale UK music festivals Reading and Leeds has committed to making both events free from single-use plastics by 2021.
Tesco boss: We'll delist brands that use excessive plastic packaging
Tesco's chief executive Dave Lewis has vowed to end contracts with third-party brands which use excessive and non-recyclable plastic packaging.
Sainsbury's removes plastic applicators from tampons
Sainsbury's has removed single-use plastic applicators from all of its own-brand tampon lines, as it strives to cut its packaging use and remove non-recyclable plastics from shelves.
![Image Gage Skidmore [CC BY-SA 2.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0)]](https://e2k9ube.cloudimg.io/s/width/226/https://devedienet.s3.amazonaws.com/news/images/full_38946.jpg?v2=20/08/2019 15:32:00)
Hasbro to 'eliminate' plastics from new product packaging by 2022
US toy firm Hasbro has set a two-year window to phase out virtually all plastic from product packaging for new products, with a deadline set for the end of 2022.
Edible drinks bottles backed by Government funding
Oohos, the edible, plastic-free packaging capsules trialled by companies such as Lucozade Ribena Suntory, have received more than £300,000 in Government funding that will help boost daily manufacturing outputs.
Coca-Cola unveils 'largest sustainability initiative' to date for water packaging
The Coca-Cola Company has unveiled a string of updates to the packaging used across its Dasani water brand, in a bid to minimise its plastic footprint.
Ikea to begin removing plastic disposables from restaurants globally
Ikea has unveiled a new range of plastic-free disposable food service products, which will enable it to begin removing single-use-plastics from its food outlets from September.
Molson Coors unveils 1.5C science-based targets, new sustainable packaging goals
Molson Coors has today (12 August) published its new sustainability report, revealing that its new emissions targets have been approved in line with a 1.5C trajectory by the Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi).
Biodegradable bottles and plastic-free microbeads: The 10 innovations backed by Sky Ocean Ventures
Sky's Ocean Ventures arm has selected 10 innovations - all designed to combat marine plastics pollution - to receive a share of a £6m impact investment fund.
Britain's single-use sustainability crisis extends far beyond plastic, says Green Alliance
Shifting materials for single-use containers away from plastic will not resolve the overall issue, according to a new infogaphic-based report from Green Alliance.
Unilever launches recycled plastic Magnum tubs
Unilever has debuted a new Magnum ice-cream tub made using 25% post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic content.
Tesco begins plastic glitter phase-out
Tesco has confirmed that it will remove plastic glitter from its Christmas trees, plants and flowers before the 2019 festive season begins.
Gillette launches nationwide razor recycling scheme
Razor brand Gillette has launched what it claims is the UK's first nationwide recycling scheme for razors and blades, as part of a partnership with recycling firm TerraCycle.
ITV commits to 1.5C science-based target after reaching carbon-neutral status
Months after it became a carbon-neutral business, broadcaster ITV has unveiled a plethora of new sustainability pledges, including committing to a 1.5C science-based target, purchasing 100% renewables and removing all single-use plastics in operations, productions and the supply chain.
IHG to ban bathroom miniatures in plastic reduction drive
InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) is set to remove miniature toiletries from its entire global estate by the end of 2021, in a bid to reduce its plastic waste footprint.
Sustainable Business Covered: Sustainability moonshots and Earth Overshoot Day
The Sustainable Business Covered podcast returns, and just in time to reflect on new Prime Minister Boris Johnson, ti discuss Earth Overshoot Day and interview packaging experts at Kimberly-Clark and Mondi on plastic phase-outs.
Iceland to trial UK's first major plastic-bag-free store
Frozen food retailer Iceland is trailing the removal of all plastic bags from one of its stores, replacing them altogether with "extra-strong" paper bags.
![Theresa Villiers appears to be an advocate for climate action, strong environmental policies and low-carbon initiatives. Photo: Nikki Powell [CC BY-SA 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)]](https://e2k9ube.cloudimg.io/s/width/226/https://devedienet.s3.amazonaws.com/news/images/full_38809.jpg?v2=24/07/2019 20:30:00)
Cabinet reshuffle: Theresa Villiers replaces Michael Gove as Environment Secretary
Theresa Villiers last night (24 July) returned to Government by taking over from Michael Gove as UK Environment Secretary, as part of a radical change of cabinet from new Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
Napapijri showcases fully recyclable jacket made from discarded fishing nets
Fashion brand Napapijri has unveiled a fully recyclable jacket made from discarded fishing nets and fabric scraps from mills and carpets.
Ocado: Consumer appetite for plastic-free shopping 'bordering on militant'
While the so-called 'war on plastics' movement has encouraged retailers to take ambitious action to make their packaging more sustainable, it has also served to distract the public from other green issues, Ocado's head of CR Suzanne Westlake has claimed.
Coors' plastic-free packaging and solar-powered trains: The sustainability success stories of the week
As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie brings you this weekly round-up of five of the best sustainability success stories of the week from across the globe.
JLR backs innovative recycling solution for 'low-grade' plastics
Carmaker Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has begun trials of an innovative new recycling technology which purports to turn low-quality, post-consumer plastics into high-grade material.
Hubbub launches fourth waste-cleaning boat made from recycled plastics
Environmental charity Hubbub has launched a fourth waste-cleaning boat made from recycled plastic, after partnering with beauty brand Kiehl's to fund a further expansion to its 'plastic fishing' initiative.
Inside Kimberly-Clark's plastics packaging strategy
EXCLUSIVE: Kimberly-Clark's global sustainability lead for products and packaging Daniel Locke has outlined how the company is "revamping" its resource management ambitions as consumer pressure for plastic packaging reductions mounts.
Michael Gove backs comprehensive 'all-in' deposit return system for plastics
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has publicly backed a deposit return system for plastic containers, irrespective of size, while also warning that time is running out to avert the climate emergency.
Unilever: Innovation is the 'cornerstone' to plastics reduction
EXCLUSIVE: Product and systems innovations will be a "key cornerstone" in meeting Unilever's five-point plastics reduction strategy, which champions behaviour change and total phase-outs where possible alongside incremental reductions.
Toyota's solar Prius and bee-friendly bus stops: The sustainability success stories of the week
As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie brings you this weekly round-up of five of the best sustainability success stories of the week from across the globe.
How sustainable is Wimbledon 2019?
With the summer's biggest tennis event set to draw to a close on Sunday (14 July), edie explores whether the Wimbledon organisers have aced their sustainability efforts in the face of the 'Climate Emergency'.
Deposit return system for plastics could generate £2bn for UK economy
An "all-in" deposit return system that accounted for all types of drinks cans and bottles in the UK could generate up to £2bn for the economy over a 10-year period, compared to £250m for an "on-the-go" system that collected less.
Survey: Almost half of UK SMEs failing to act on single-use plastics
A major survey of more than 1,000 UK small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) has found while the majority of businesses understand the importance of reducing single-use plastics, 40% are yet to carry out basic measures to reduce plastic waste.
Aldi to remove plastic packaging from toilet roll packs
Aldi could save more than 900 tonnes of plastic each year, after announcing trials to remove plastic packaging from toilet roll packs at 174 stores across the UK.
Sustainable Business Covered podcast: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch swim and SDG engagement
Episode 66 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast sees edie's content editor Matt Mace explore how the Icebreaker brand is assisting one man's mission to swim the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, while Sarah speaks to experts on docuseries and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Net-zero laws and Hugh's War on Plastics: Top 10 sustainability stories of June 2019
As June 2019 comes to a sweltering close, edie rounds up some of the most-read sustainability stories and standout pieces of content from the past 30 days - from net-zero laws to a new war on plastics.
Tideway's super sewer project is slashing transport emissions and combatting plastic pollution
The annual report for the Tideway super sewer project has revealed that more than 110,000 heavy goods vehicle journeys have been avoided and that more than 33,000 plastic bottles have been collected from the Thames river.
Businesses commit to phase-out eight 'problem plastics' by 2020
Companies signed up to the UK Plastic Pact have committed to removing eight "problem plastics" by 2020, including cutlery, cotton buds and polystyrene packaging, but the decision has sparked calls that self-regulated efforts won't be sufficient enough to avert plastics pollution.
Glastonbury 2019: Waste management key priority for majority of festival attendees
As Glastonbury opens today (26 June), a new survey has shown that sustainability and waste management is a key priority for festival goers this year.
Seven things sustainability professionals can learn from Hugh and Anita's War on Plastic
The BBC's docuseries exploring how the public, government officials and corporates are fuelling an unsustainable demand for plastics concluded on Monday (24 June). Here, edie highlights seven key lessons that the series can teach sustainability professionals.
Boots switches to paper bags across UK stores
Boots has become the first UK national pharmacy, health and beauty retailer to phase-out single-use plastic bags, having today (24 June) switched to brown paper bags.
BBC War on Plastic: How Happy Meal toys and pellet production are piling on to the waste mountain
The final instalment of the BBC's War On Plastic tonight (24 June) will highlight just how broken the linear economy is, as Anita focuses on the mountain of free plastic toys from places such as fast food restaurants, while Hugh learns how the plastic industry plans to increase production by 50%
Beyond 'token' items: What's next for London's war on plastics?
Some 18 months ago, Blue Planet 2 first aired, spurring an exponential growth in public action against plastics that has changed what business and policy leadership look like. But what's next on the road to an economy free from unnecessary plastics?
McDonald's to phase out plastic salad containers and McFlurry lids
McDonald's UK & Ireland is set to remove the single-use plastic lids from its McFlurry items and switch to cardboard containers for its salad.
Naked vegetables: Aldi extends plastic-free fresh produce trial to England
Aldi UK is extending a trial of removing plastic packaging from fresh vegetable lines to parts of England, after a pilot programme in Scotland reduced more than three tonnes of plastic.
HP unveils revised science-based targets, 100% renewables aim and 35% sustainable revenue growth
Revamped science-based targets, a 35% year-on-year growth in revenue through sustainable impact and commitments to source more recycled plastic content and 100% renewables have all been outlined in HP's latest sustainability report.
Co-op to host reverse vending machines for plastic bottles at UK festivals
Co-op has confirmed plans to host reverse vending machines as part of a deposit return scheme for plastic bottles at seven UK festivals this summer, following successful trials last year.
Coca-Cola GB launches its first 100% recycled plastic bottles
Coca-Cola's Great Britain arm has launched its first fully recyclable plastic bottles made using 100% recycled PET (rPET), under its Glaceau Smartwater brand.
War on Plastic with Hugh and Anita: 'Hidden' plastics placed in the spotlight
Episode two of the BBC's War on Plastic series on Tuesday night (17 June) saw presenters Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Anita Rani take a deeper delve into the UK's plastics addiction, exposing invisible plastic particles from unexpected sources. Could this be the start of a war on microplastics?
G20 launch new framework for combating marine plastic pollution
Environment ministers representing the G20 block of nations have agreed to a new framework tackling ocean plastic waste.
War on Plastic with Hugh and Anita: How are companies tackling plastics in the bathroom?
Tonight's (17 June) episode of the BBC's War On Plastic will focus on single-use plastics in the bathroom, covering the stark environmental impacts of the packaging used for (and in) our toiletries and cosmetics. Here, edie explores what actions companies within those industries have taken to help solve the plastics puzzle.
Sustainable Business Covered podcast: Net-zero announcements and plastic-free communities
Episode 65 of the Sustainable Business Covered podcast sees edie's content editor Matt Mace and reporter Sarah George discuss net-zero legislation before introducing three exclusive interviews focused on resource efficiency with Canary Wharf Group, the Eden Project and the London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB).
War on Plastic with Hugh and Anita: Supermarkets brace for further backlash on packaging
During the first episode of the BBC's much-anticipated War on Plastic last night (10 June), presenters Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall and Anita Rani shed fresh light on the UK's plastics waste problem - placing the so-called "Big Seven" supermarkets under increased scrutiny over their approach to packaging.
Business giants launch plastics 'credit' scheme to tackle pollution
Danone, Veolia, Nestlé and Tetra Pak have jointly launched a global initiative aimed at standardising and accelerating corporate action on plastics, in a bid to help businesses align plastic reductions with economic and social sustainability.
Fujitsu to phase out plastic cups, straws, bottles and bags
Multinational IT equipment and services giant Fujitsu has unveiled a sweeping new set of plastics reduction pledges, covering bags, drinks bottles, cups, straws and other packaging.
Plastic pollution and global heating: Cross-party MPs unveil new strategy for ocean conservation
A coalition of MPs hailing from across the political spectrum have launched a new strategy detailing key policy actions they will take to champion ocean conservation, shortly after the Government's Marine Strategy was branded a "spectacular failure" by green groups.
Keurig Dr Pepper sets sweeping new plastics packaging targets
US-based food and beverage giant Keurig Dr Pepper has committed to making 100% of its plastic packaging recyclable or compostable by 2025, as part of a new corporate responsibility strategy.
Canary Wharf becomes world's first plastic-free commercial centre
London's Canary Wharf has today (5 June) become the first commercial centre in the world to be awarded Plastic Free Community status by marine charity Surfers Against Sewage, one year after its managing body Canary Wharf Group launched its flagship plastic reduction scheme.
Groceries 'Unpacked': Waitrose pilots packaging-free refill offering
Waitrose & Partners has started offering packaging-free refill options for hundreds of its own-brand lines, as part of a trial to gauge consumer appetite for container reuse and plastic-free sundries.
Talking single-use plastics with Lucy Siegle and Fiona Ball
edie's Mission Possible sofa chat show returns for 2019. In the second episode, edie discusses plastics with author, broadcaster and ethical living journalist Lucy Siegle and Sky's head of inspirational business Fiona Ball.
One year on: How has WRAP's UK Plastics Pact changed corporate approaches to single-use plastic?
Last April, a coalition of 42 businesses jointly committed to make unnecessary single-use plastic packaging "a thing of the past". Here, edie rounds up the impact that this commitment, made as part of WRAP's Plastic Pact, has had on resource management.
Plastic straws, cotton buds and drink stirrers to be banned in England
Plastic straws and drink stirrers, and cotton buds with plastic stems will be banned from sale and use in England from next April, the UK Government has confirmed.
Insight, inspiration and innovation continue into final day of edie Live 2019
Members of the UK's sustainability and energy management communities have descended upon the NEC in their thousands, with sessions at full capacity throughout the first day of edie Live 2019 and the action now set continue into the second and final day (22 May).
Governments and businesses urged to collaboratively support recycling in developing nations
Amid what Sir David Attenborough has dubbed an "unfolding catastrophe" of plastic pollution in developing nations, urgent calls have been made for governments and finance firms to make collective and "significant investment" in circular economy systems across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Hydrogen storage 'sponges' and 'infinitely' recyclable plastic: The best green innovations of the week
Every week, numerous eye-catching and potentially transformational innovations are being developed to help businesses and nations turn their green ambitions into actions. Here, we round up six of the best.
Unilever unveils 'detectable and recyclable' black plastic packaging
Consumer goods giant Unilever has today (17 May) unveiled a new pigment which makes black plastics detectable by recycling equipment, as it strives to boost the recyclability of its packaging portfolio.
Bioreefs and plastic-free periods: Waitrose announces winners of £1m plastic challenge
A "bioreef" of mussels, an initiative that tackles ghost fishing gear and a behaviour change campaign that reduces plastic pollution from period products are among the winners of Waitrose & Partners' £1m plastic pollution innovation challenge.
Inside P&G's plastics packaging strategy
EXCLUSIVE: Procter & Gamble's principal scientist and packaging technologist, Gian De Belder, has outlined the company's five-pillar approach to improving the recyclability of its packaging through science-based studies and "Holy Grail" collaborative projects.
Business giants join new WWF-led scheme to boost plastics action
Starbucks, The Coca-Cola Company and McDonald's are among a coalition of corporates to have joined a new scheme aimed at helping businesses to translate their plastic reduction pledges into measurable impacts.
Report: Mismanaged waste 'kills up to a million people a year globally'
Mismanaged waste is causing hundreds of thousands of people to die each year in the developing world from easily preventable causes, and plastic waste is adding a new and dangerous dimension to the problem, a report has found.
The Body Shop launches in-store take-back scheme for plastic packaging
Health and beauty retailer The Body Shop has launched a multinational take-back scheme for its plastic packaging, after consumers voiced concerns that not all of the brand's packaging is accepted by local authorities under kerbside recycling schemes.
Nearly all countries agree to stem flow of plastic waste into poor nations
Almost all the world's countries have agreed on a deal aimed at restricting shipments of hard-to-recycle plastic waste to poorer countries, the United Nations (UN) announced on Friday.
Hubbub to roll out 'on-the-go' recycling scheme to Scotland and Wales
Environmental charity Hubbub is planning to launch its behaviour change scheme for recycling 'on-the-go' food and drinks packaging, backed by companies such as Coca-Cola GB, Costa Coffee and McDonald's, in Wales and Scotland this year, following success in Leeds.
TerraCycle: Recycling alone won't tackle 'root cause' of plastics waste crisis
EXCLUSIVE: Despite creating a business model built on offerings of recycling solutions to solving the world's plastic pollution crisis, TerraCycle's general manager for Europe claims it will only ever form part of any closed-loop system.
Etihad's plastic-free flight and Uber's public transport push: The sustainability success stories of the week
As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie brings you this weekly round-up of five of the best sustainability success stories of the week from across the globe.
Sainsbury's to remove black plastic packaging by March 2020
Supermarket Sainsbury's has committed to remove all black plastic packaging from its own-brand products by March 2020, as part of a sweeping new set of plastic reduction pledges.
Extinction Rebellion, SDG Spotlights and seaweed sachets: Top 10 sustainability stories of April 2019
April 2019 may well go down as a defining month in the ongoing battle to halt, and ultimately reverse climate change. Global climate strikes led by school children paved the way for the Extinction Rebellion protests to capture the interests of the UK public.
Beverage giants to help scale up world's first enzyme-based plastics recycling technology
Soft drinks giants PepsiCo, Nestle Waters and Lucozade Ribena Suntory's (LRS) parent brand Suntory Beverage & Food Europe have thrown their support behind a new plastics recycling technology which uses enzymes to process waste.
edie Explains: The circular economy
This new and updated edie Explains guide breaks down everything there is to know about achieving a circular economy for your business.
In numbers: How businesses and consumers are adapting to the war on plastic
Plastics is a sustainability topic that rarely dies down and the past few weeks were no different. Here, edie rounds up the key findings of several new surveys on attitudes to plastics, capturing the changing opinions of businesses and consumers alike.
Australia's largest Coca-Cola bottler to launch 100% recycled plastic bottles this year
Coca-Cola Amatil (CCA) has pledged to double the amount of recycled plastic it sources for inclusion in plastic bottle production, after green campaigners criticised parent firm The Coca-Cola Company for its continued use of high quantities of virgin plastics.
Evian unveils refillable device in bid to slash plastic waste
French bottled water company Evian is set to begin trials of a new refillable in-home water appliance next month, in a bid to gauge consumer appetite for lower-plastic alternatives to single-use bottles.
Diageo to remove plastic packaging from Guinness and beer multipacks
Beverage giant Diageo has today (15 April) revealed that it is investing £16m in an initiative which will see all plastic packaging removed from its Guinness, Smithwicks and Harp multipacks.
How Lucozade's seaweed sachet trials are spurring lasting behavior change around plastics
EXCLUSIVE: Following a successful pilot at two races last summer, Lucozade Ribena Suntory (LRS) last week confirmed that it will hand out 30,000 drinks in edible seaweed sachets at this year's London Marathon. But will these events generate lasting changes to consumer behaviour surrounding plastics?
Plans to build UK's first plastic-to-hydrogen recycling plant unveiled
Energy-from-waste firm Waste2Tricity has revealed plans to develop the UK's first industrial-scale facility capable of converting waste plastics into hydrogen in Cheshire.
Budweiser's plastic football pitch and Arval's EV chargers: the sustainability success stories of the week
As part of our Mission Possible campaign, edie brings you this weekly round-up of five of the best sustainability success stories of the week from across the globe.
Asda, TerraCycle and Ella's Kitchen launch baby food pouch recycling scheme
Recycling firm TerraCycle and baby food brand Ella's Kitchen have a launched a six-month trial partnership with Asda to increase the recyclability of baby food pouches.
Tesco to trial plastic-to-oil innovation which makes all packaging 'recyclable'
Supermarket giant Tesco has inked a deal with Swindon-based recycling firm Recycling Technologies, which will see the retailer trial an innovative system that converts soft plastics back into oil.
Unilever launches 100% recycled and recyclable washing up liquid bottle
Unilever has launched a fully recyclable plastic bottle made from 100% recycled content under its soap brand Sunlight, marking a first for the consumer goods firm's South African arm.
European parliament votes to ban single-use plastics
The European parliament has voted to ban single-use plastic cutlery, cotton buds, straws and stirrers as part of a sweeping law against plastic waste that despoils beaches and pollutes oceans.
Ribena bottles to be redesigned in bid to boost recycling rates
Beverage giant Lucozade Ribena Suntory (LRS) has unveiled plans to redesign its range of Ribena bottles so that they can be easily recycled within the UK's existing waste management facilities.
Big-name corporates collaborate to spur plastics recycling progress in Africa
A group of four multinational corporations – Unilever, Nestle, Diageo and The Coca-Cola Company – have launched a joint initiative aimed at expanding the plastics recycling economy in Africa's Sub-Saharan region.
George at Asda to use recycled plastic bottles in clothing and homeware ranges
Asda's fashion and homeware brand, George, will incorporate recycled plastic bottles in its products, as part of a commitment to only use polyester made from recycled materials by 2025.
Tesco trials plastic-free fruit and veg selection
Supermarket Tesco is trialling packaging-free fresh produce at two stores in Watford and Swindon, in a bid to monitor whether the remove of plastic packaging for select products will impact levels of food waste.
Progress to tackle fishing 'ghost gear' missing best-practice leadership, report claims
Progress has been made on discarded and abandoned fishing gear in the world's oceans, but more needs to be done on the issue, a new report has been suggested.
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