This special report explores the relative costs and environmental benefits of introducing electric Refuse Collection Vehicles (RCVs) as a replacement for the current standard diesel option. Our researchers found that, as the cost differential between diesel and electric RCVs is now marginal, there is a strong case for introducing eRCVs [...]

This summary report explores potential loopholes in the European Commission’s Single Use Plastics Directive. The research found that that certain ‘natural polymers’ could be exempted under the Directive’s definition of plastic, including those likely to have similar negative effects on the environment as their synthetic counterparts. If taken forward, the [...]

This report supports the summary report What is Plastic? A Summary Report Exploring the Potential for Certain Materials to be Exempted from the Single Use Plastics Directive. The EU Single-Use Plastics (SUP) Directive focuses on reducing plastic pollution from single-use items, particularly in the marine environment. In order to determine [...]

This report examines the economic and employment impacts of Iowa’s deposit return system. The report firstly examines the economic impact of, and the jobs created by, the current system. It then goes on to identify the economic and employment benefits resulting from implementing a modernized system with an expanded scope, [...]

This report, commissioned by Changing Markets, seeks to better understand the barriers to, and opportunities for, greater circular economy activity in the carpet waste management sector in the UK. The research focuses on the efforts of the UK industry, via the non-profit organisation Carpet Recycling UK (founded in 2008), to [...]

This report provides insight into the procurement process Somerset Waste Partnership (SWP) followed to tender for new waste collection and recycling services, despite challenging circumstances, and documents why it was such a successful procurement. The report explains the process SWP followed to procure a new contract to deliver new and [...]

This report was commissioned following the Turkish Government’s confirmation in early 2019 that it will introduce deposits on beverage containers by 2021. This study proposes a design for a DRS in Turkey based on existing best practice around the world. Our consultants were commissioned by Reloop to review DRS design [...]

This report provides an independent, objective review of the contributing factors to the decreasing return rate of California’s beverage container program. California’s deposit return program is the largest in North America, and the second largest internationally. Well-designed programs currently achieve in excess of an 80% return rate for beverage containers: [...]

This report, commissioned by the Recycling Council of Alberta (RCA), examines the economic value Alberta’s recycling sector brings to the province. The research focuses specifically on job creation, through direct, indirect and induced jobs, as well as tax income, and overall Gross Value Added (GVA), which is the contribution made [...]

Published in September 2019, the seventh edition of the Recycling Carbon Index shows council recycling schemes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland saved CO2 emissions equivalent to over 715,000 return flights between London and Sydney in 2017/18. The annual index uses the most up-to-date waste data to calculate the quantity [...]