Consultations have been opened on four key measures in the Resources and Waste Strategy, seeking views on producer responsibility, consistent collections, deposit return schemes and the plastics tax.

Some of the UK’s biggest disposable coffee cup retailers, recyclers and producers, including Frugalpac, have teamed up for the Cup Movement, a new recycling and reduction scheme in Scotland.

A sustainable plastic toothbrush and a recycled plastic wine bottle are among the innovative products in the running for this year’s Best Recycled Plastic Product Innovation and Sustainability in Plastics Recycling awards.

Plastic recycling specialists Recycling Technologies has announced the appointment of Marvine Besong to the position of Technical Director as it prepares to commence commercial manufacturing of its feedstock recycling machine, the RT7000.

A cross-party group of MPs has called for a complete ban on the export of the UK’s plastic waste to developing countries, but industry figures question whether this is the best solution to the plastic waste problem.

Waste management company Biffa has received planning approval from Durham County  Council to build a new £15-million plastic recycling facility near the town of Seaham.

The European Union could be banning a range of microplastics in products by 2020 – but critics say the proposal needs to be tightened up to ensure it will have “real impact”.

UK retailer Iceland has introduced the first in-store reverse vending machine in Northern Ireland as it continues its efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of single-use plastics on the environment.

A £1-million fund is on offer from Waitrose & Partners, with support from behaviour change charity Hubbub, for projects aiming to reduce plastic pollution.

Critics have panned the BBC’s coverage of the controversial material, which the EU is in the process of restricting, with naturalist Chris Packham failing to declare his paid position as adviser with an oxo-plastics company during a televised discussion on the material.