Recycling news: 2026

Industry news Dame Julia Black appointed to steer Defra’s water reform transition The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has appointed Dame Julia Black as Senior Adviser to the Secretary of State on Water Reform Transition, marking a significant step […] Water Magazine · 11 May 2026 Industry news Ridge appoints new Head of Infrastructure to support continued growth Built environment consultancy Ridge has further strengthened its infrastructure capability with the appointment of Steve Williams as Head of Infrastructure. Steve has advised on and delivered major programmes of work […] Water Magazine · 11 May 2026 Industry news Environment Bank gears up for BNG expansion to NSIPs with senior appointment Environment Bank, a leading biodiversity gains specialist, has appointed Corrine Barry as NSIPs Business Development Director, creating a dedicated function focused entirely on Nationally Significant Infrastructure Projects (NSIPs). Corrine brings […] Water Magazine · 11 May 2026 Industry news Waterfront Fluid Controls acquires Penstocks (UK) Limited Waterfront Fluid Controls Limited, based in Glasgow, has acquired Penstocks (UK) Limited of Hinckley, Leicestershire, in a move aimed at strengthening its operational presence across the UK water sector. The […] Water Magazine · 11 May 2026 Industry news £8.9m upgrade to improve river water quality in South Yorkshire completes Yorkshire Water has successfully completed an £8.9m investment to upgrade Ingbirchworth and Hoylandswaine wastewater treatment sites in South Yorkshire to improve water quality in both the river Don and Banks […] Water Magazine · 11 May 2026 Industry news Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence staff win Biochemical Society Research Support Award Two members of Aston Institute for Membrane Excellence (AIME), Helen Elwood and Paul Knobbs, have won the Biochemical Society 2027 Research Support Award. The award is presented to an individual […] Water Magazine · 11 May 2026 Industry news Rainwater planters helping to ‘slow the flow’ in Freckleton United Utilities is working with the local community and Fylde Council to support flood resilience in Freckleton by managing rainwater. The water company is offering free rainwater planters to selected […] Water Magazine · 11 May 2026 Industry news Kyocera Document Solutions FOREARTH Will Revolutionise Sustainable Textile Production Kyocera Document Solutions has highlighted its FOREARTH, a pioneering water-free textile production concept designed to drastically reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. By addressing the critical need for sustainable manufacturing, this innovation sets a new standard for the textile industry, minimising environmental impact while streamlining the entire printing process. TexIntel — Eco News · 10 May 2026 Industry news Oil-based products are everywhere, from fertiliser to fashion. What are the alternatives? Substituting the petrochemicals that underpin everyday life is challenging, but there are ways to produce what we need without fossil fuels I tried to live for 24 hours without using oil-based products. It was ridiculously impossible Follow our Australia news live blog for latest updates Get our breaking news email , free app or daily news podcast The standoff in the strait of Hormuz has shown … The Guardian — Environment · 9 May 2026 Industry news Minette Batters: Who pays for change? Farming, foodservice and the fight for a viable future Minette Batters — farmer, broadcaster, former NFU President and now crossbench peer — has spent her career making the case that farming and food policy are inseparable. She's done it in the media, in parliament and on the land Footprint Media (foodservice sustainability) · 9 May 2026 Industry news A vast dam across the Bering Strait could stop the AMOC collapsing If a key ocean current collapses it could plunge northern Europe into a big freeze. Now researchers are weighing up a drastic intervention – building a 130-kilometre-wide dam between the US and Russia New Scientist — Environment · 9 May 2026 Industry news Biodiversity Action - Keep Scotland Beautiful Keep Scotland Beautiful · 8 May 2026 Industry news Comment on Welsh, Scottish and local election results Responding to the results of the Welsh, Scottish and local elections in England, Ami McCarthy (they/them), Head of Politics at Greenpeace UK said: “Despite Reform’s gains, huge numbers of people have voted for political parties that promise an escape from fossil fuel crises and greater protection for the nature we love. The winning parties in […] Greenpeace UK · 8 May 2026 Industry news Premium recycled PP - Renewi Renewi · 8 May 2026 Industry news EU urged to push biodegradable materials in circular economy plans MRW EU urged to push biodegradable materials in circular economy plans Body representing workers, employers and trade unions argues to make the most effective use of biodegradable materials derived from non-synthetic sources in waste reduction plans EU urged to push biodegradable materials in circular economy plans Neil Merrett MRW (Materials Recycling World) · 8 May 2026 Industry news Government digital waste tracking impact study deemed ‘fit for purpose’ MRW Government digital waste tracking impact study deemed ‘fit for purpose’ Review of the evidence and predicted impacts of aims to commence the phased rollout of mandatory digital monitoring this year deemed to make effective case for the policy Government digital waste tracking impact study deemed ‘fit for purpose’ Neil Merrett MRW (Materials Recycling World) · 8 May 2026 Industry news Deal targets Bangladesh textile decarbonisation Bangladesh’s garment trade body signs decarbonisation agreement with Spanish machinery marketplace to cut factory emissions DHAKA – The Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers […] Ecotextile News · 8 May 2026 Industry news Fairtrade overhauls textile factory standard BONN – Fairtrade has overhauled its textile factory standard to strengthen brand accountability, embed new due diligence requirements and close […] Ecotextile News · 8 May 2026 Industry news Vidrala first quarter profits rise 13% despite sales dip Encirc owner glass container manufacturing Vidrala has closed the first quarter of the year with a net profit 13% higher, recording €53.7m up to March. Packaging News (UK) · 8 May 2026 Industry news Aura Global launched to address packaging project demands Packaging consultancy Aura and creative and graphics agency Sun Branding have launched a new all-round consultancy division - Aura Global. Packaging News (UK) · 8 May 2026 Industry news Innovate UK launches £3.7 Million Battery Innovation Programme Innovate UK, part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), has announced the launch of the Battery Innovation Programme: Battery Skills Initiatives. Funded by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) and delivered by Innovate UK, up to £3.7 million will be invested to establish or scale regional skills initiatives for battery manufacturing, ensuring the UK continues to attract businesses lookin… MEM Magazine (Manufacturing & Engineering) · 8 May 2026 Industry news New US firm targets textile recycling ‘supply gap’ Claras Materials LLC aims to serve the rapidly growing chemical recycling and textile fibre-to-fibre industries CHARLOTTE — A new company has […] Ecotextile News · 8 May 2026 Industry news ACE UK joins call for government to deliver Circular Economy Growth Plan ACE UK has joined over 50 businesses and trade associations in a letter to Defra Secretary of State Emma Reyolds, urging the government to publish its long delayed Circular Economy Growth Plan. Co-ordinated by the Green Alliance, the letter expresses concern surrounding the ongoing delay to the plan, which could ‘harm momentum towards a more resilient,… ACE UK (Alliance for Beverage Cartons and the Environment) · 8 May 2026 Industry news Sting of approval: new wasp species named after Sir David Attenborough Scientists at the Natural History Museum have named a new species of wasp after Sir David Attenborough to mark his 100th birthday. Today (Friday 8th May) marks Sir David Attenborough’s 100th birthday, and it’s fair to say he is one of England’s most beloved national treasures, especially when it comes to nature and wildlife. Since […] Environment Journal · 8 May 2026 Industry news Fire is spreading in the Chernobyl exclusion zone after drone crash A drone has crashed in the Chernobyl exclusion zone, causing a fire that has spread to 12 square kilometres of land. Dry weather, strong winds and the presence of land mines are complicating efforts to bring the blaze under control New Scientist — Environment · 8 May 2026 Industry news Ireland’s recycling gains ‘eroded’ by scale of waste, EPA warns Ireland faces a “significant challenge” in meeting its 2030 recycling targets, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has warned. The agency has forecasted that municipal and packaging waste volumes are both expected in increase in the coming years, while recycling rates are expected to remain largely stagnant and below the European Union (EU) average. Under EU … Read More letsrecycle.com News · 8 May 2026 Industry news Pirelli consolidates Xushen Tyre JV in ongoing move to target New Energy Vehicles At the same time Pirelli & C. SpA reported a 23.3% jump in net profit to €156.8 million for the first quarter of 2026, the Milan-based tyremaker also shared details of the consolidation of its Chinese joint venture Xushen Tyre (Shanghai) Co. Ltd – something that contributed to Pirelli’s overall strong improvement of profitability. Pirelli announced in February 2026 that it had exercised its cal… Tyrepress · 8 May 2026 Industry news DeBriefed 8 May 2026: EU eyes fossil-fuel exemptions | Wind and solar save UK ‘£1.7bn’ | Amazon ‘tipping point’ Welcome to Carbon Brief’s DeBriefed. An essential guide to the week’s key developments relating to climate... Carbon Brief · 8 May 2026 Industry news Metsä Board and HEIDELBERG to collaborate on new packaging solutions Metsä Board and HEIDELBERG have entered into a strategic collaboration with the aim of developing innovative packaging solutions that improve both operational performance and the consumer experience. This includes joint R&D projects, pilot production runs, and customer demonstrations at HEIDELBERG’s Print Media Centres as well as Metsä Board’s Excellence Centre and Design Studios. By combining […] Packaging Scotland · 8 May 2026 Industry news Factcheck: What the UK car industry is not saying about EV targets For several years, the UK car industry has been claiming that demand is not high... Carbon Brief · 8 May 2026 Industry news Digital Innovations at UK Construction Week From AI and robotics, to BIM and generative design, the latest developments and innovations in digital construction will be taking centre stage at UK Construction Week (UKCW) London when doors open next week. Taking place at Excel from 12-14 May, UKCW returns for the largest and most comprehensive construction event in the UK calendar. Running alongside Futurebuild and The Stone & Surfaces Show… MEM Magazine (Manufacturing & Engineering) · 8 May 2026 Industry news There has been a sudden increase in the rate of sea level rise Satellite measurements show that in the early 2010s sea level rise suddenly accelerated to a rate of 4.1 millimetres per year, possibly in response to an increase in the rate of global warming New Scientist — Environment · 8 May 2026 Industry news UK tech funding roundup: This week’s deals from Quantum Motion to Lunar This week’s UK tech funding deals include quantum computing group Quantum Motion, cultured meat company Meatly and more. UKTN tracked £234m worth of UK tech investment this week (4 May to 8 May), an 86% week-on-week decrease across eight funding rounds. Here’s your weekly roundup of UK tech startup funding deals. Quantum Motion – £117.5m […] UKTN (UK Tech News) · 8 May 2026 Industry news Meet the experts confirmed for Footprint Festival A first look at the industry experts and sustainability leaders confirmed for Footprint Festival 2026 Footprint Media (foodservice sustainability) · 8 May 2026 Industry news Continental to invest $76 million in Mount Vernon, USA automated warehouse Continental is set to invest in a new automated finished-goods warehouse in Mount Vernon, Illinois, USA. The company plans to invest around $76 million in the project. Aimed at serving demand in North America, the new warehouse will have capacity for approximately 500,000 passenger car tyres. Construction is expected to start in summer 2026, with operations scheduled to begin in 2027. Tyrepress · 8 May 2026 Industry news INK-TANK launches new compatible cartridges INK-TANK has launched a new compatible ink cartridge range aimed at enterprise customers following Brother’s recent expansion of its A3 printer portfolio across Europe, Canada and Australia. The Recycler (imaging consumables recycling) · 8 May 2026 Industry news Full Agenda Lands for EBMI2026 The full, high-level conference agenda for co-located E-Waste World, Battery Recycling, Metal Recycling ITAD & Circular Electronics Expo (EBMI) has officially launched, and, for the first time since its establishment, organisers have made the 2026 conference entirely free-to-attend. Taking place from 17-18 June 2026, the event transforms Halle 3.0 at Messe Frankfurt into a 360-degree theatre of… MEM Magazine (Manufacturing & Engineering) · 8 May 2026 Industry news G&G sees opportunity inkside G&G sees consolidation creating fresh opportunities for remanufactured cartridge sales. The Recycler (imaging consumables recycling) · 8 May 2026 Industry news The Gym Kitchen introduces GLP-1 friendly range High protein meal brand The Gym Kitchen has launched a new range of GLP-1 medication friendly meals as a response to the growing demand for nutrient-dense and smaller meal portions.… Grocery Gazette · 8 May 2026 Industry news ETIRA supports stronger EU Customs enforcement ETIRA says proposed customs reforms could improve enforcement against non-compliant consumables entering Europe. The Recycler (imaging consumables recycling) · 8 May 2026