On-the-go recycling campaigns will be launched in Swansea and Edinburgh after a trailblazing project in Leeds, led by charity Hubbub, has reported strong results.

Drinks containers made from aluminium, steel, glass and PET plastic will now carry a 20 pence deposit in Scotland as part of the Scottish Government’s new deposit return scheme.

Until 31 July, the UK Government will be matching public donations up to £2 million to help communities in low-income countries manage their waste.

The Welsh Government has announced its £6.5 million Circular Economy Fund, aiming to drive Wales towards its 2025 recycling target of 70 per cent.

In a world first, key global stakeholders including Nestlé and PepsiCo are backing new enzymatic technology in a bid to boost the recyclability of PET plastic products.

Mineral water brand Evian is set to launch a new in-home water dispenser that it says will result in a significant reduction in plastic packaging.

A report by Greenpeace and the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives critiques the “inefficient” and “predatory” system of plastic waste exports from wealthy countries to communities in Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

Waste management company Biffa has called on the government to recommend the separate collection of paper and card from households in addition to food waste in its eventual core materials collection model.

Technology company Bühler UK Ltd and litter collection tool company The Helping Hand Company have been awarded Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in the fields of Innovation and International Trade.

Cup collection and recycling service Simply Cups is set to expand its coverage into the Netherlands and Belgium from June in a bid to capture the 4.5 billion cups used in the two countries every year.