Plastic bag use down 98% after 5p charge introduction

There has been a huge drop from the 7.6bn plastic bags sold by the major supermarkets in England in 2014

Scotland’s deposit return scheme to go live in 2023

Circular Economy Minister Lorna Slater set out plans for a phased implementation of the scheme and said the target of achieving 90% collection rates by 2024 will be maintained

First-ever ‘low plastic zone’ launches in London

Three-quarters of businesses in the Cowcross Street area of Islington have permanently reduced the amount of single-use plastic they use and offer to customers

Accor Hotels to check out single-use plastic items by end of 2022

More than 200 million single-use plastic items are currently used each year at the firm’s hotels

Hubbub pledges £300k for new coffee cup recycling facilities in London

The launch of the new facilities is being promoted with an immersive art installation outside the Tate Modern, which has been made using 5,555 cups – representing the number of cups used every minute in the UK

Australian startup RETURNR launches deposit scheme for clean takeaway containers

The sustainable scheme replaces single-use takeaway containers with reusable plates and bowls

Coffee cups
Scotland plans to introduce charge for single-use cups

The amount has yet to be confirmed, however, environmental advisers previously suggested a charge of between 20p and 25p

Single-use plastics: Government consults on standards for greener alternatives

It aims to identify gaps and get expert advice on the overall sustainability of bio-based and biodegradable plastic products

Plant-based plastics sprout up with £60m government investment

Along with an expected £149 million investment from the private sector, this money will be used to slash single-use plastic pollution

Nottingham Council pledges to become plastic-free by 2023

The city council plans to reduce the use of plastics at events such as the annual Goose Fair