AI analysis reveals shortfall in aerosol recycling
Aluminium aerosol cans are significantly less likely to be recovered during recycling operations than drinks cans, according to new research using AI to analyse...
A second life for bus adverts: Deinking technology supports plastics circularity
Printed advertising boards for buses are traditionally used two or three times, with limited scope for recycling into equivalent products. A new system from...
Second-life batteries power rapid EV charging
A new ultra-rapid electric vehicle charger uses repurposed EV batteries to overcome grid capacity constraints, potentially allowing fleet operators to install high-power charging infrastructure...
Scotland’s burning dilemma: Landfill falls as recycling stalls
Scotland has reduced the amount of household waste sent to landfill by more than 84% since 2011, but recycling rates have shown little improvement,...
Recycled plastic could make road surfaces more durable
Adding recycled plastic to asphalt could improve road durability without increasing the release of microplastic-like particles, according to new research from Pennsylvania State University....
Robotics hub to benchmark waste sorting under real-world conditions
A new £3.6 million research and technology adoption hub will help UK waste and recycling operators test robotic sorting systems under real-world conditions, with...
Higher PRN prices linked to recycling gains
Higher Packaging Recovery Note (PRN) prices are associated with increased recycling tonnages across most packaging materials, with export markets showing a stronger response than...
Recycling technology and circular design recognised in plastics awards
Innovations in AI-enabled waste sorting, recyclable packaging and plastics circularity were among those recognised at the 2026 RECOUP Awards, held on 30 September.
The annual...
Portable battery collections face 63% EU target as measurement rules change
The latest EU-wide portable battery collection rate stands at 48.8%, while the Batteries Regulation sets a 63% target for the end of 2027. But...
Maidstone trials textile waste in pothole repairs
Old clothes are being used to fix potholes in Maidstone's parks in a trial involving Maidstone Borough Council and sustainable materials company RECOOL.
The council...
Concrete recycling system recovers aggregates and fines at Greenwich plant
A recycling system installed at Heidelberg Materials’ Greenwich concrete plant is recovering aggregates and cementitious fines* from returned concrete for use in new materials,...
Composite recycling start-up looks to give wind turbine blades a second life
A Derbyshire start-up developing technology to recycle hard-to-process composite materials is targeting the wind energy market as it moves towards commercialisation and prepares to...
CIWM urges new direction on waste
A new policy briefing urges the Government to look beyond recycling and collections, and introduce measures to stimulate reuse, domestic reprocessing and resource security
The...
EU prepares new restrictions on waste exports to non-OECD countries
The European Commission is preparing tighter controls on exports of waste, including aluminium scrap, to non-OECD countries, going beyond rules due to take effect...
Not-so-simple recycling? Complex rules still leave room for confusion
England may be moving towards greater consistency in household recycling, but new analysis suggests residents still face a sometimes bewildering array of local instructions...
Specialist reach stacker deployed for Thames waste operation
A 113-tonne reach stacker engineered to handle waste containers across the River Thames’ substantial tidal range has been commissioned at a recycling operation in...
Utility adopts technology to recycle contaminated laboratory plastics
Scottish Water has begun using an on-site disinfection and shredding technology that could allow potentially contaminated single-use laboratory plastics to be recycled instead of...
EU misses deadline for PPWR labelling rules
The European Commission has missed a deadline to adopt detailed rules for harmonised recycling labels under the EU’s new Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation...
New EU packaging rules target waste and resource use
New EU rules intended to reduce packaging waste, increase recyclability and stimulate the use of recycled materials begin to apply today (12 August), bringing...
Fridge recycling capacity crisis leaves councils struggling to accept old appliances
A shortage of specialist capacity for recycling discarded fridges and freezers is beginning to disrupt household waste services in parts of the UK, prompting...
