The government will hold a consultation later this year to consider how best to ban the tiny fragments of plastic used as exfoliants in cosmetic products, with the hope of finalising a ban sometime in 2017.

The association representing the UK packaging industry is searching for a new director after Jane Bickerstaffe announced that she is to retire after 17 years in the role.

A campaign led by top London chefs to ban polystyrene packaging is misguided, and should instead be focused on creating better collection systems from restaurants, says the Recycling Association.

A group of 36 national and European associations has called for the Circular Economy Package to recognise the function of packaging and safeguard the free movement of packaging in the EU’s internal market.

Prominent chefs including Ed Baines and Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall have called on Mayor of London Sadiq Khan to ban polystyrene packaging to improve London’s recycling and protect marine life.

Action is to be taken to review guidance on food products’ best before dates as part of a drive to facilitate food redistribution from retailers to community programmes.

Recycling levels of wood, paper and card packaging is lower than previously thought says the Waste & Resources Action Programme, after it increased its estimates of the amount placed on the market.

Shoppers in England are set to use billions fewer plastic bags in the year following the introduction of the five pence charge in October, which has also raised more than £29 million for good causes.

A round-up of news from the waste and resources sector, including Keep Britain Tidy, Plaxx, Hanging ‘Braskets’ and Paul Vanston.

Campaigns around paper cup recycling and over-packaging of Amazon products have been met with mixed comments from the resources industry after Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall highlighted them on the BBC.