The joint conference between CIWM, ESA and the Resource Association is to consider the gap between the waste sector’s circular economy ambitions and the reality influenced by austerity.

Forty people were evacuated from buildings near a biomass company in North Wales yesterday, after a fire broke out at the site.

Up to 90 per cent of the world’s waste electronic and electrical equipment is illegally traded or dumped, according to the United Nations Environment Programme.

The Welsh Government has introduced a new Environment (Wales) Bill, which includes a ban on incinerating recyclable materials.

Prime Minister David Cameron has appointed Amber Rudd as Energy Secretary, removed Eric Pickles from his role at DCLG, and retained Liz Truss and Environment Secretary at Defra.

A round-up of news from the waste and resources sector, including European Recycling Platform, J&B Recycling, Viridor and E.ON.

Dr Stuart McLanaghan of environmental consultancy Eden 21 argues for a new resource hierarchy, explaining why we need new metrics for resource use.

English local authorities recycled the same amount of dry recyclables between July and September 2014 as they did in the corresponding period the year before, despite collecting more waste.

The next government should introduce new waste and recycling targets if it is to achieve a ‘green Britain’ by 2030, says renewable electricity firm Ecotricity.

With election manifestos beginning to surface, remind yourself what the various parties said about the environment back in the pure, uncomplicated days of 2015.