Motorists near Maidstone will soon be able to claim discounts on snacks and drinks by placing empty plastic bottles and coffee cups into special recycling reward machines that are being installed at the town’s motorway service station by green charity Hubbub. The machines issue a 5p money-off voucher for each plastic bottle or coffee cup deposited...

The first Europe-wide strategy on plastic waste, was adopted today, is a part of the transition towards a more circular economy.  It will protect the environment from plastic pollution whilst fostering growth and innovation, turning a challenge into a positive agenda for the Future of Europe. There is a strong business case for transforming the way products are...

The European Commission has issued its starkest warning yet of economic penalties facing the Government due to lack of progress in decarbonising Irish society and in adopting renewable energy.  Its 2018 Country Report Ireland concludes “existing climate change mitigation efforts will not enable Ireland to achieve its Europe 2020 climate goals domestically”. It adds: “Only limited progress...

Europe’s €31bn a year carbon market is finally starting to work the way it was intended, reining in pollution with a minimum of squealing from industry. Thirteen years after it was created to limit carbon-dioxide emissions, prices for the allowances are rising. EU policymakers have enacted measures expected to keep the cost of pollution on an upward trajectory...

Funding of €337,000 has been allocated to local authorities by Mr. Phil Hogan, T.D., Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government to fund projects under the Local Agenda 21 (LA21) Environmental Partnership Fund 2012. Matching funding by local authorities will bring shared potential partnership funding to €674,000. The Fund promotes sustainable development by assisting small...