Recycling

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UK government launches public consultation on bottle deposit scheme

Environment Minister Michael Gove has just launched a public consultation about introducing a bottle deposit scheme in England. The news follows the delivery of a bottle deposit petition, an initiative of Surfers Against Sewage, to 10 Downing Street. The petition attracted 250,000 signatures, calling on the minister to help protect our oceans and beaches from plastic pollution. Continue reading →

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‘A Plastic Ocean’ to be screened this Sunday at TideFest

The groundbreaking documentary A Plastic Ocean will be shown at the One Over the Ait pub at Kew Bridge this Sunday, 10 September, from 3pm to 4.45pm. Places are limited; to secure your place, register for the screening here.

The screening is part of the Plastic Ocean Festival, which has been showcasing a series of events from April to September 2017 in London incorporating film screenings of A Plastic Ocean, marine and riverine clean-ups, stand up paddleboarding, and educational talks by scientists and the team. Continue reading →

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Shopping bags that animals can safely eat

Avani, a company in the Philippines, has developed an alternative to plastic bags that is truly biodegradable – and safe for animals to eat. Called Eco-Bags, the bags are made with cassava root mixed with vegetable oil, and are compostable and biodegradable. They can also be dissolved in less than 150 days when discarded in water. Avani aims to create a range of other eco-friendly products normally made with plastic, including takeout containers, disposable cups and plates.

For more information, see http://www.avanieco.com/product/eco-bags

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New Circular Economy Route Map

A new route map developed by the London Waste and Recycling Board (LWARB) was launched on 19 June outlining how the collective buying power of the private sector could catalyse the circular economy in London, unlocking £2.8bn annually in the process. LWARB wants London to be the global leader of the circular economy, claiming that it would make a substantial contribution to Mayor Sadiq Khan’s plan to create a zero-carbon city by 2050. Read more at Route map to circular economy.

 

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Coca-Cola endorses deposit return systems for the UK

Coca-Cola has come out in support of deposit return systems for drinks bottles in the UK, in a U-turn on its previous position.

What’s more, earlier this week the CEO of Suez, one of the UK’s largest waste collection and recycling companies, also added his support, going on record to say how deposit return systems can benefit communities, the economy and the environment.

Surfers against Sewage welcomed the news, and asked people to spread the word by forwarding the link to its petition Bring back bottle deposits to stop plastic pollution in our oceans.

 

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Brixton’s People’s Fridge helps eliminate food waste and fight food poverty

Brixton has launched London’s first People’s Fridge, a crowdfunded scheme that tackles the problem of food waste and at the same time contributes to alleviating food poverty.

The idea is that registered businesses, such as supermarkets and food traders, can leave cooked meals in a designated fridge, and people passing are free to help themselves. Individuals can leave food, too, if it’s fresh and unopened. Continue reading →