Irish Gov announces €27 million in funding for circular economy
The Irish Government announces over €27 million in funding to support a wide range of initiatives aimed at advancing Ireland’s transition to a circular economy. The €27 million in funding comes from the Circular Economy Fund, which is financed through environmental levies on plastic bags, landfill, and waste recovery. Minister for Climate, Energy, and the Environment Darragh O’Brien and Minister of State with responsibility for the Circular Economy, Alan Dillon, announced the new funding. Welcoming the announcement, Minister O’Brien said: “This year’s circular economy funding continues to advance initiatives that rethink waste, restore and protect environmental balance and empower communities to shape climate solutions. “We are proud to support…
Bio-based solutions for healthier soils and cleaner agriculture
Carmen Fernández Ayuso, Head of Coordination and R&D Management at CETEC, explores how innovative company PHAntastic’s bio-based solutions are helping to create healther soils and a cleaner agricultural industry. Microplastics can be found all over the planet – even in some of our most remote areas – so it’s not surprising that plastics are also deeply embedded in agricultural practices. Conventional farming practices are heavily reliant on synthetic agrochemicals and fossil-based plastics and contribute to soil degradation, water contamination, biodiversity loss, and growing public health concerns. Agrochemicals – including fertilisers, pesticides, and herbicides – have also long been essential tools for boosting crop yields and ensuring food security. The…
Environment Agency revokes permit for Yorkshire waste site
The Environment Agency has revoked Mineral Processing Ltd.’s environmental permit after accusing it of showing a ‘total disregard’ for local residents. The Planning Inspectorate dismissed an appeal made by Mineral Processing against the Environment Agency issuing a suspension notice at the site in Yorkshire. The Inspectorate agreed that the waste on site exceeded the permitted amount ‘by some considerable margin’. The dismissal also established that waste was being misdescribed as waste being brought onto the site was not allowed by the permit. This includes evidence from Environment Agency testing in 2022 that found hazardous substances, which is not permitted. The Planning Inspectorate also agreed there is a risk of…
New tool allows local authorities to measure and reduce carbon emissions
The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning & Transport (ADEPT) funds local highway authorities to measure and identify how to reduce their carbon emissions. The Carbon Leadership Programme, supported by the Department for Transport, has been developed by Proving Services in partnership with ADEPT and aims to support local highway authorities in implementing practical carbon reduction measures. Described as a ‘first-of-its-kind’ programme, ADEPT says it provides a standardised way for councils to calculate the amount of carbon emitted from local road maintenance activities and where to direct efforts to reduce this carbon footprint. Available from June 2025, the Carbon Leadership Programme consists of two modules: a baseline carbon…
Birmingham bin strike could last until December after Unite vote
Bin strikes in Birmingham could last until December after 97% of refuse workers voted in favour of continuing industrial action. The vote, which had a 75% turnout, follows Birmingham City Council being granted an interim High Court injunction aimed at preventing striking waste workers from obstructing vehicles at three depot sites. Unite has pledged to continue its action lawfully and peacefully. In a statement, the union criticised the council’s decision to pursue legal action, stating it should instead focus on delivering a fair resolution. Commenting on the ballot, Unite general secretary Sharon Graham, said: “After smearing these workers in public since January and telling them to accept a fair and reasonable…
Morrisons redistributes 3 million Too Good To Go food bags
Morrisons has become the ‘first UK supermarket’ to prevent three million Too Good To Go food bags from going to waste. Since 2019, when Morrisons became the first UK supermarket to partner with Too Good To Go, the supermarket has redistributed over three million ‘Surprise Bags’ containing surplus food to customers. The scheme is rolled out in almost 500 Morrisons supermarkets, 930 Morrisons Daily convenience stores and 344 Morrisons cafés across the UK. Commenting on the milestone, Rebecca Cranshaw, Corporate Responsibility Manager for Morrisons, said: “We are incredibly proud to be the first UK retailer to have reached the milestone of saving three million ‘Surprise Bags’ from going to…
The role of reverse logistics in reducing resource waste
Andrea Lockerbie explores the world of reverse logistics, minimising waste and improving sustainability in supply chains. When a consumer or end-user needs to return a product to a retailer or manufacturer, the process of the product travelling back through the supply chain is known as reverse logistics. It plays an important role in terms of sustainability as a good reverse logistics system can ensure that the products going back through the supply chain are appropriately assessed and efficiently diverted so that their value and lifespan are maximised and waste is minimised. This means returned products or surplus stock are directed for reuse, repair or recycling, rather than disposal. Key…
Defra provides circular economy strategy update at FOCE 2025
Emma Bourne OBE, Director, Circular Economy at the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra), provided a Circular Economy Strategy update at the Festival of Circular Economy. Bourne highlighted the UK Government’s ongoing efforts to develop a sustainable and resource-efficient economy at the recent Festival of Circular Economy event in London. Reaffirming the UK government’s commitment to developing a comprehensive circular economy strategy, Bourne outlined the government’s current priorities in the transition to a circular economy, including the economic benefits of more sustainable and resilient supply chains. She also provided delegates with an update on the emerging Circular Economy Strategy for England, being developed by the Circular Economy…
LIVE UPDATE: The Festival of Circular Economy 2025
As the Festival of Circular Economy returns for its fourth year, Circular Online brings you live updates from it’s two jam-packed virtual days. Day 1 will look at the future of the design landscape, current business model challenges and practical use-cases of circular economy models in operation. Day 2 takes us through the design lifecycle, from materials and products, to infrastructures and supply chains for a circular economy. Day 2 EPR: Cost, Compliance, and a Circular Future Packaging designers and producers are facing a seismic shift as new Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations begin rolling out this year. In a session titled EPR Packaging Laws: Designing for New Legislation,…
Haringey issued £1.3m in fly-tipping and littering fines last year
Haringey Council issued 2,554 fines for fly-tipping and littering totalling £1,393,350 between April 2024 and March 2025. A recent survey by the council found overwhelming support for stricter measures to tackle fly-tipping and littering. It revealed that 96% of residents were in favour of imposing fines on fly-tippers, while 94% supported penalties for littering and dog fouling. Local businesses and community organisations also voiced their concerns, with 83% backing fines to combat fly-tipping. Following this, the council said it deployed an additional 15 environmental enforcement officers as part of its existing team to combat fly-tipping and littering. Commenting on the announcement, councillor Seema Chandwani, Cabinet Member for Tackling Inequality…
