Lost in the reeds? Why winning the plastic war is much harder than it looks

Firms are under pressure to tackle the scourge of plastic waste, but are their new strategies credible and could they prove counterproductive?

Madeleine Cuff
clock • 15 min read

If you're caught drinking from a disposable plastic bottle at one school in Brighton, you'll be treated the same as a smoker caught behind the bike sheds. That's the promise of Richard Cairns, the headmaster...

To continue reading this article...

Join BusinessGreen

  • Enjoy exclusive news, insights and analysis from Europe’s leading source of information on the green economy and business.
  • Make smart, responsible business decisions with an eye on the latest regulatory and tech development
  • Tap into our extensive archive of exclusive articles, news, analysis and guide
  • Access to our new BusinessGreen intelligence service, providing you with
  • > Exclusive in-depth case studies
  • > Policy briefings, white papers and reports on market trends that are shaping the direction of the net zero transition
  • Our overnight briefing, expertly curated help you run a competitive and sustainable business
  • Online and interactive meetings with BusinessGreen’s editors to discuss the crucial stories and trends from the past month

Choose the membership package that's right for you and your organisation, via our 3 membership levels.

Join now

 

Already a BusinessGreen member?

Login

More on Recycling

The government can fulfil its green goals with progress towards circularity

The government can fulfil its green goals with progress towards circularity

Reuse and repair must be a core element of the government's climate and environmental vision, writes Back Market's Katy Medlock

Katy Medlock, Back Market
clock 21 November 2024 • 4 min read
Wales exits plan for UK-wide deposit return recycling scheme

Wales exits plan for UK-wide deposit return recycling scheme

The Welsh Government confirms Wales will not take part in any eventual UK-wide deposit return scheme for recycling drinks containers, blaming over post-Brexit devolution and trade rules

Michael Holder
clock 19 November 2024 • 5 min read
Tesco moves dried pasta lines into recyclable paper packaging

Tesco moves dried pasta lines into recyclable paper packaging

Retailer switches 'Finest' range of dried pasta into new packaging in a move that will save more than 10 million pieces of plastic a year

Stuart Stone
clock 15 November 2024 • 1 min read