Known for secluded sandy beaches, the Pacific Islands are an idyllic getaway. But after years of tossing rubbish in open dumps, waste is becoming an issue. Kevin Stanely looks at what’s being done to clean up paradise

Waste management is nothing new, nor is the science of working out what’s being thrown away. Julian Parfitt of Resource Futures considers the history and methodology of compositional analysis

Over the past 15 years, many local authorities have moved to fortnightly collections, but certain agitators in the public/political realm are currently arguing that the country ought to have weekly refuse collections.

Modern skies are increasingly crowded with aeroplanes, but what happens to an aircraft that has come in for its final landing? Will Simpson investigates how end-of-life plane recycling is evolving

Sam Sandilands and James Phillips keep us abreast of legislative developments in the waste industry

Newcastle-under-Lyme recently launched the UK’s most complicated kerbside collection service, requiring residents to separate waste into eight distinct containers. But why have they taken such a drastic step? And how will residents cope? Resource investigates

Over the last decade, many councils have shifted to commingled collection. It’s prompted a significant debate about the right approach and who should bear which particular responsibilities and costs.

Shipping waste around Europe is a complicated issue. Every country has its own rules and regulations and there's no one governing body.

The world’s attention will turn to South Africa this summer as it hosts the 2010 World Cup. The recent focus on making international events ‘green’ has put the pressure on organisers to shape up and while officials say they’re on track, critics disagree.

New legislation on the way we deal with waste portable batteries means big changes for the battery recycling industry. But just how are batteries sorted and recycled? And are they being recycled efficiently enough? Rachel England investigates