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Store hails impact of glass milk bottle deposit return scheme
A James Retail Group c-store in Sheffield is hailing the impact of a deposit return scheme for glass milk bottles, after more than three in four bottles were returned in the first year and sales massively outstripped those of plastic milk bottles.
ACS urges small store exemption for DRS plans in England
The Association of Convenience Stores has urged the government to exempt small stores from its proposals for a Deposit Return Scheme in England and to limit collection methods to Reverse Vending Machines.
Leeds on-the-go recycling scheme extended following success
An on-the-go recycling scheme in Leeds city centre has been extended for a further six months after the proportion of people who disposed of target material in a recycling bin nearly doubled.
Campaigners unite in call for global Deposit Return Schemes
A global network of environmental campaigners is calling for world-wide deposit return systems for drinks containers, as part of an international day of action taking place today (9 May).
Scottish Deposit Return Scheme to apply to all retailers
A Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for Scotland will include glass, plastic and aluminium drinks containers of all sizes and will apply to all retailers, the Scottish government announced on Wednesday (8 May).
Brighton store enjoys success in plastic toiletries reduction
Customers at ethical Brighton supermarket Hisbe avoided using plastic toiletries bottles over 24,000 times in the past year on the back of its ‘Soap Swap’ campaign.
European parliament votes to ban single-use plastic items by 2021
The European Parliament has approved plans to ban single-use plastic items including plates, cutlery, straws and cotton buds by 2021.
Tesco launches fruit and veg plastic-free trial in two stores
Tesco has launched a trial to remove plastic-wrapped fruit and vegetable products from its stores in a bid to cut down on packaging waste.
Midcounties Co-op aims to cut plastic use through POS material
Midcounties Co-operative has launched a new initiative to help reduce single-use plastic through point of sale (POS) material.
Asda reaches own brand plastic-reduction milestone
Asda has removed 6,500 tonnes of plastic from its own brand product packaging – reaching a target set in February 2018.
UK bottled water sales top four billion litres, report says
Last year’s hot summer boosted bottled water consumption in the UK by more than 7% to 4,267 million litres, according to a new report from food and drink consultant Zenith Global.
ACS backs plastic bag charge extension without red tape
The Association of Convenience Stores (ACS) has backed the government proposals extend the plastic bag charge in England to all retailers with fewer than 250 employees.
Nisa Extra store introduces Vegware packaging
A Nisa Extra store in Northern Ireland has introduced 100% recyclable Vegware packaging for its own brand fresh food and meal solutions.
C-stores forced to accept empty bottles in DRS proposal
The UK government has launched its long-awaited consultation into a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers, which could force small shops to accept empty drinks cans and bottles for recycling.
Food industry bodies demand "pause" on policy reforms
More than 30 food industry trade bodies have called on the government to “pause” key consultations affecting the industry, including a Deposit Return Scheme for England and Wales, until Brexit uncertainty is over.
MPs call for ban on plastic waste export to developing countries
A group of cross-party MPs has today called for a complete ban on the export of the UK’s plastic waste to developing countries.
Sustainability: A natural success
A growing number of retailers are making their stores the place to go for sustainability by cutting plastic use and increasing take-up of renewable products.
M&S trials plastic 'take-back' scheme in eight stores
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced the launch of new recycling bins for non-recyclable plastic packaging as part of its plastic reduction drive.
Scottish retailers to trial reverse vending machines
Three independent retailers in Scotland have teamed up with the Scottish Grocers Federation (SGF), recycling firm Viridor and reverse vending machine (RVM) manufacturer Envipco to deliver RVM trials.
Morrisons set to trial paper bags to cut plastic waste
Morrisons is set to trial paper carrier bags in eight of its stores in an attempt to reduce plastic waste.
Deposit Return Scheme will 'drive footfall' to small stores
Small stores would likely participate in a Deposit Return Scheme for used beverage containers in order to drive footfall, if they are legally exempt from the proposed UK system, according to experts citing overseas evidence.
Healthy diets and plastic fear drive new shopper behaviour
Plastic pollution, healthy eating, responsible retailing and social media are among the key drivers of change that retailers are going to have to get to grips with in order to please the modern shopper, HIM suggests
Marks and Spencer launches plastic-free fruit and veg trial
Marks & Spencer (M&S) has announced a trial of over 90 lines of loose fruit and vegetables completely free of plastic packaging as part of its plastic reduction drive.
East of England Co-op launches in-store recycling campaign
East of England Co-operative has announced new in-store recycling points for plastic packaging, carrier bags and batteries, with aims to boost recycling rates in Ipswich.
Plastic bag charge to be extended to all retailers
The government has announced proposals to extend the single use plastic bag charge to all retailers by 2020.
Deposit Return Scheme confirmed in new waste strategy
The government has confirmed a consultation on a Deposit Return Scheme for single-use drinks containers, with a view to implementation by 2023.
Ministers launch £60m fund to develop sustainable packaging
The government has announced the launch of a new £60m investment scheme to help businesses develop technology aimed at reducing plastic and food waste.
UK consumers seeking more sustainable packaging, poll finds
Over half (55%) of UK consumers are purchasing more products in environmentally-friendly packaging, according to new research.
Co-op Group rolls out compostable carrier bags
The Co-op Group is this week rolling out new compostable carrier bags in an attempt to cut down on single-use plastics.
Wrap paves the way for assault on plastic waste
The UK’s leading supermarkets, discounters and producers now have a clear framework for reducing the scourge of plastic waste, following the launch of Wrap’s UK Plastics Pact Roadmap to 2025.