Recycling news: 2026

Industry news New research highlights challenges facing metal packaging manufacturers NEW research from test and measurement partner Industrial Physics has revealed that 92% of metal packaging professionals are unable to guarantee ‘consistent, measurable’ results with current technology. An independent study surveyed 200 can-making and filling professionals across the UK, US, Germany and India to evaluate how prepared the sector is for the operational, quality and […] Packaging Scotland · 12 May 2026 Industry news Flow battery developer CMBlu Energy achieves “unicorn” status German long-duration energy storage company CMBlu Energy has achieved “unicorn” status after surpassing a valuation of €1 billion following the initial close of a €50 million Series C financing round. The round included participation from Samsung Ventures, while existing investors including Strabag SE increased their funding.The Alzenau-based company said the funding will support manufacturing … BEST Magazine (Batteries & Energy Storage Technology) · 12 May 2026 Industry news Verdict reached in £1.3m landfill tax dispute over RDF storage A verdict has been reached in a dispute over a £1.3 million landfill tax assessment issued by HMRC regarding the storage of thousands of tonnes of refuse-derived fuel (RDF). In a judgment handed down on 6 May 2026, the First-tier Tribunal concluded that no taxable “disposal” had occurred when an environmental permit lapsed at businessman … Read More letsrecycle.com News · 12 May 2026 Industry news Smurfit Westrock confirms new sustainability targets SMURFIT Westrock has published its 2025 Sustainability Report, outlining new targets, the progress made to date, and the role of paper-based packaging in supporting circular economy ambitions. The report introduces new, quantified Better Planet targets including the following: Reduce Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 28% by 2030, from a 2019 baseline, in […] Packaging Scotland · 12 May 2026 Industry news Carbon credits are flawed, but they can still help save forests Carbon credits bought by companies to offset their emissions really have reduced deforestation, but not by as much as credit developers claim, according to a rigorous analysis New Scientist — Environment · 12 May 2026 Industry news Rethinking how we use AI – Louise Ballard, Atheni-ai This week’s podcast guest is Louise Ballard, co-founder of early-stage firm Atheni-ai, who discusses how we move AI usage to the next level, from simply responding to questions to actually building systems that can really benefit businesses and organisations. Ballard also talks about why the UK government’s plans to reskill 10 million workers in AI […] UKTN (UK Tech News) · 12 May 2026 Industry news The Three Chimneys raises a glass to new gin THE Isle of Skye’s famous restaurant with rooms, The Three Chimneys, has teamed up with one of the UK’s most northerly distilleries to launch its own new gin brand. Over the last year, The Three Chimneys has been working with North Point Distillery in the far north Scottish Highlands to create its own label spirit […] Packaging Scotland · 12 May 2026 Industry news Amcor launches 38mm carry handle for beverage sector AMCOR has expanded its solutions for the drinks market with a new 38mm handle for PET containers. The new development features a strong grip and targets water and other non-carbonated beverages. The handle fits bottles with a 38mm neck and is compatible with the Proxima Tethered Closure and other beverage closures from Amcor. It is […] Packaging Scotland · 12 May 2026 Industry news Turning Packaging EPR Data into a Commercial Advantage This blog makes the case for why EPR matters in the business world. For too many organisations, Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) still gets filed under 'cost of doing business'. It’s often seen as a hefty admin task or another deadline to worry about. That's a shame, because it misses the point entirely. Der Beitrag Turning Packaging EPR Data into a Commercial Advantage erschien zuerst au… ERP UK (European Recycling Platform) · 12 May 2026 Industry news Europe’s largest vanadium flow battery completed in East Sussex ahead of 2026 launch Invinity Energy Systems has completed construction of its 20.7 MWh Copwood VFB Energy Hub in East Sussex, a project set to become Europe’s largest vanadium flow battery (VFB) installation when it enters service later this year. The project combines 90 vanadium flow batteries with a 3 MW solar array designed to store surplus daytime solar […] Envirotec Magazine · 12 May 2026 Industry news Rewear study warns on ‘waste colonialism’ Fashion reuse report urges EU to confront global waste burdens from used textile exports while backing policy, repair and sorting […] Ecotextile News · 12 May 2026 Industry news Encirc Elton industrial action ended as workers accept safety improvements Long-running strike action at glass manufacturer Encirc's Elton, Cheshire site has ended after the employer agreed to health and safety improvements. Packaging News (UK) · 12 May 2026 Industry news New powder detergent packaging with 50% PCR content launched MONDI has provided details of its work with Dreco to develop a new powder detergent packaging solution containing post-consumer recycled (PCR) materials, while maintaining the high level of product protection required for moisture-sensitive products. Packaging for powder detergent must protect the product against moisture and water throughout its lifecycle. Mondi said its re/loop PillowBag demo… Packaging Scotland · 12 May 2026 Industry news TROPIC LIKE IT’S HOT! ALDI’S £24.99 GARDEN STRING CHAIR RETURNS AS PART OF SELL-OUT TROPICAL RANGE Aldi is helping shoppers transform homes into paradise this summer with the glorious return of the long-awaited Tropical Paradise range, hitting stores from 21st May. From statement chairs for garden dwellers to twinkling lights that will make any outdoor space sparkle, Aldi has […] Aldi UK Press Centre · 12 May 2026 Industry news Böttcher halts German investment plans Böttcher AG said it would suspend planned multimillion-euro investments in Germany despite reporting annual sales growth of about 12%, as Europe’s largest economy struggles with weak corporate confidence and rising insolvencies. The Recycler (imaging consumables recycling) · 12 May 2026 Industry news Bollegraaf launches digital plant monitoring platform ‘Bollegraaf ONE’ Bollegraaf has launched a new digital platform for monitoring plant activity. The recycling equipment supplier launched Bollegraaf ONE to provide AI-driven insights and data analysis. The digital offering gives operators the ability to monitor all plant activity through live dashboards, machine data, bunker levels, throughput monitoring, and key performance indicators. Tom Wijkel, Product Manag… letsrecycle.com News · 12 May 2026 Industry news USITC reopens Epson cartridge dispute Trade judges question whether Epson’s American operations justify sweeping import restrictions. The Recycler (imaging consumables recycling) · 12 May 2026 Industry news Street light achieves ‘excellent’ TM66 score of 2.9 A street light from Spanish brand Carandini has achieved an ‘excellent’ score of 2.9 on the circularity metric TM66. The […] Recolight · 12 May 2026 Industry news Fagerhult switches LEDs to cut climate impact Fagerhult says it is implementing a major strategic change with the aim of reducing the climate impact of its luminaires. […] Recolight · 12 May 2026 Industry news Suzhou Goldengreen Technologies faces delisting Chairman exits as auditors refuse accounts, intensifying Shenzhen-listed OPC manufacturer’s delisting threat. The Recycler (imaging consumables recycling) · 12 May 2026 Industry news AI design tool offers bespoke street light upgrades Revolutionary exterior lighting design software is set to boost the remanufacturing of street lights by offering bespoke LED arrays for […] Recolight · 12 May 2026 Industry news Macfarlane provides trading update ahead of Glasgow AGM AHEAD of the firm’s Glasgow AGM, protective packaging specialist Macfarlane Group has issued a trading update in which it confirms that its full-year expectations for 2026 are unchanged. The business said trading is in line with market expectations for the full year to 31 December 2026. Group revenue in the first quarter of the year […] Packaging Scotland · 12 May 2026 Industry news Shadow AI poses major risk to those resisting adoption While some firms have move quickly and embraced AI with open arms, others have firmly resisted. Inadvertently, firms who choose the latter approach are exposing themselves to greater risk. In the absence of clear guidance, employees often take AI adoption into their own hands, in a phenomenon known as shadow AI. AI use within large […] UKTN (UK Tech News) · 12 May 2026 Industry news Sharp restructuring drives profit recovery Sharp reported sharply improved annual profits after aggressive restructuring measures helped offset declining sales across televisions, displays and mobile communications businesses. The Recycler (imaging consumables recycling) · 12 May 2026 Industry news Germany was the ‘largest plastic waste exporter’ in 2025, research finds Germany was the largest exporter of plastic waste in 2025, closely followed by the UK, according to new research published in the Guardian. Circular Online (CIWM) · 12 May 2026 Industry news BGMEA signs twin supply chain deals BGMEA has signed separate agreements with GIZ and Open Supply Hub to cover sustainability, transparency, traceability and compliance in Bangladesh’s […] Ecotextile News · 12 May 2026 Industry news New figures confirm steel packaging achieves record EU recycling rate STEEL for Packaging Europe (SfPE) has confirmed that steel packaging has achieved a new record EU recycling rate. The latest figures, calculated using the EU’s harmonised methodology which is said to accurately reflect the amount of packaging recycled at the entrance of recycling operations, show that 84% of steel packaging placed on the market was […] Packaging Scotland · 12 May 2026 Industry news 20/20 Project Management Training to Deliver ACTIVE Cup Project Management Competition The Engineering Construction Industry Training Board (ECITB) has awarded the contract to deliver the ACTIVE Cup project management competition to 20/20 Project Management Training. The training company will deliver its first modernised version of the popular competition 16-18 November 2026. 20/20 Project Management Training specialises in project management, project controls and project leaders… MEM Magazine (Manufacturing & Engineering) · 12 May 2026 Industry news Epson named CitySwitch Champion Epson Australia has been recognised as a CitySwitch Champion for the third consecutive year. The Recycler (imaging consumables recycling) · 12 May 2026 Industry news Canon retreats from Philippine manufacturing Printer demand weakness forces Japanese electronics group into deeper Asian industrial retrenchment. The Recycler (imaging consumables recycling) · 12 May 2026 Industry news Data focus at debut US textiles recycling expo Strong turnout in Charlotte highlights how data, sorting technology and standards are shaping the next phase of US textile circularity […] Ecotextile News · 12 May 2026 Industry news SCENTS OF SUMMER – ALDI LAUNCHES NEW MEDITERRANEAN HOME FRAGRANCE RANGE FROM JUST £3.99 With summer on the horizon, shoppers can get their homes smelling holiday-ready with Aldi’s NEW Mediterranean candle and diffuser range, hitting middle aisles from 21st May. Featuring aromas inspired by classic Mediterranean elements, the collection brings a relaxing coastal escape straight into homes – no passport required. The Mediterranean Candles & Diffusers (£3.99, 200g/100ml) feature […] … Aldi UK Press Centre · 12 May 2026 Industry news Johnnie Walker unveils a limited-edition 24-year-old whisky for FIFA World Cup Johnnie Walker has unveiled a special edition 24-year-old whisky in Brazil to commemorate the FIFA World Cup 2026. The concept behind the bottle was inspired by the gap between the… Grocery Gazette · 12 May 2026 Industry news Paymentology raises £129.4m to continue its global expansion Paymentology has closed a $175m (£129.4m) funding round to support its ongoing global expansion, product development and the strengthening of its team. The firm is a next-generation issuer processor, supporting fintechs, digital banks and retail banks to launch and manage payment solutions on a global scale. Paymentology says much of the issuing layer of the […] UKTN (UK Tech News) · 12 May 2026 Industry news Islands8 launches watermelon variant with Bluemarlin design Maltese gin brand Islands8 has just launched a watermelon with a new design by Bluemarlin. Packaging News (UK) · 12 May 2026 Industry news Court rules that Enviro reorganisation shall continue There’s been hardly a dull moment for Swedish pyrolysis tyre recycling specialist Scandinavian Enviro Systems AB (Enviro) since applying for company restructuring in February 2026 and then, in March, terminating agreements relating to the Infiniteria joint venture. In mid-April, Infiniteria filed a request with the Gothenburg District Court to stop Enviro’s ongoing company reorganisation. The p… Tyrepress · 12 May 2026 Industry news Why all industry stakeholders should be in the room at Auto Recycling Intelligence 2026 Industry stakeholders should attend Auto Recycling Intelligence 2026 to understand how regulation, EV batteries, insurer behaviour, OEM circularity strategies, AI and green parts demand will reshape end-of-life vehicle management. ATF Professional · 12 May 2026 Industry news UK fire brigades tackle one lithium-ion fire every five hours The number of lithium-ion battery fires attended by UK fire services has risen by 147% since 2022, with brigades now tackling the equivalent of one battery-related fire every five hours. A Freedom of Information (FOI) request from global insurer QBE found that fire services are now responding to an average of 4.8 lithium-ion battery fires … Read More letsrecycle.com News · 12 May 2026 Industry news Modular Clean Air Strengthens Position as Part of Total Clean Air Modular Clean Air (MCA) is now wholly owned by Total Clean Air (TCA), marking the next phase in its development following its successful launch as a joint venture in 2025. Originally established to bring together modular construction and cleanroom expertise, MCA has quickly built momentum within sectors where speed, compliance and precision are critical. Now operating as TCA’s dedicated modular… MEM Magazine (Manufacturing & Engineering) · 12 May 2026 Industry news The EU continues to strengthen water protection rules to tackle pollution The European Union has introduced stronger water protection laws that will improve water quality, reduce pollution, and make Europe more resilient to future environmental challenges. Open Access Government — Environment · 12 May 2026