recycling
Iceland first UK supermarket to trial deposit return scheme
Iceland has become the first supermarket in the UK to trial the plastic bottle deposit return scheme. It has installed a reverse vending machine at its store in Fulham, London, as part of a six-month programme. It follows the government’s…
Scientists Develop ‘Infinitely’ Recyclable Plastics Replacement
One of the factors driving the plastic pollution crisis is that very little of it gets reused effectively—as of 2015, only 9 percent of all plastics ever made had been recycled, a 2017 Science Advances study found. This is because,…
Scientists Accidentally Create Mutant Enzyme That Eats Plastic Bottles
Scientists have created a mutant enzyme that breaks down plastic drinks bottles – by accident. The breakthrough could help solve the global plastic pollution crisis by enabling for the first time the full recycling of bottles. The new research was…
Old Electronics Could Be More Profitable Than Literal Gold Mines
Forget panning for gold or extracting copper ore. A new study shows that recovering metals from discarded electronics, a process known as urban mining, is far less expensive than mining them the traditional way. If you’re reading this, you’re part…
UK To Introduce Deposit Return Scheme For Single-Use Plastic Bottles
A deposit return scheme for single-use plastic drink bottles will be introduced this year in the UK, with the idea being to improve the rate of plastic bottle recycling and thus to reduce litter. The new plans echo some of…
Not in da Club: Deltic Group Declares ‘No Straw Attached’
The notice displayed in night clubs informing you of which substances are banned is going to need to be updated to include another item of contraband: the plastic straw. The Deltic Group, the UK’s largest operator of ‘premium late night…
Pret Asks Customers: Should we Introduce Charge for Plastic Bottles?
Sandwich chain Pret A Manger is considering adding 10p to the cost of all its plastic bottles, which would be refunded if the bottles are returned for recycling, as part of its on-going efforts to cut plastic waste. With the…