Friends of the Earth Europe, part of the world’s largest environmental network, represents 31 national organisations and thousands of local groups at European level. Libby Peake caught up with its Resource Use Campaigner, Ariadna Rodrigo

A letter in which EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella argued in favour of keeping the Circular Economy Package has come to light, as it is revealed the EC could face legal action over its decision to withdraw the proposal.

Members of the resource and energy industries welcome the Liberal Democrat Party’s green pledges, and commend its track record on the environment.

Zero Waste Scotland is to fund a new Volunteer and Community Advocate Programme to recruit 1,000 ‘zero waste’ volunteers in Scotland.

The EC will launch the roadmap for its Circular Economy Package ‘within the next few weeks’, and consult on the topic ‘before summer’, according to Director-General for Environment Karl Falkenberg.

The Labour Party unveils its Green Plan for 2015, which reiterates its commitment to undertake a review of resource security and make the UK the ‘most resource-efficient economy in the world’.

Four retailers have raised more than £1 million for charity via Scotland’s single-use carrier bag charge, which was introduced six months ago.

The Liberal Democrats would set a 70 per cent recycling target for England, and introduce an incineration tax, if they were voted into power.

Eighteen projects have made the finals of the European Week For Waste Reductions Awards 2015, which recognise waste-reduction projects carried out across Europe.

The EC must make better use of its Ecodesign Directive if it is to address unsustainable resource consumption and bring about a circular economy, says the European Environmental Bureau.