Agreement on legislation designed to make Europe more resource efficient has been welcomed by industry groups, but with the caveat that reduced ambition in EU plans risks slowing down the transition to a circular economy.

A report from RECOUP has found that only 42 per cent of local authorities provide ‘On the Go’ collection units for both litter and recycling, citing significant costs and lack of budget for the lack of facilities.

Cafes located in buildings run by Bristol City Council will soon be placing a charge on disposable coffee cups to try and promote reusable cups and mugs among customers.

International affairs think tank Chatham House is seeking to build an evidence base for circular economy opportunities in developing countries, and whether they could help such nations ‘leapfrog’ to more sustainable development pathways.

UK-based Vanden Recycling has calculated that alternative destinations for waste exports will not be able to make up the shortfall in capacity resulting from China’s plan to ban waste imports in 2018.

Recycling company Axion Polymers has re-formulated its recycled ABS polymer product to provide improved physical properties and a superior surface finish suitable for diverse applications from corner supports in window frames to furniture component parts.

Member states have come under fire for allegedly dragging their heels over prior commitments to the EU’s Circular Economy Package ahead of the year’s final round of negotiations between the EU institutions.

DS Smith has announced its involvement in a trial to analyse the feasibility of new recycling techniques for notoriously difficult-to-recycle single-use coffee cups.

China is eyeing further restrictions on waste imports in the coming years beyond those set to come into force from the start of 2018, according to a new paper released by an advisory body including China’s Vice Premier and Environmental Protection Minister.

Leading recycling nations may be overstating their recycling figures, with adjusted figures released by Eunomia revealing that the top countries are recycling over 10 per cent less than reported.