Circular economy stories
Youth, immigrants and urban Maori are most at risk as planners warn New Zealand must better reflect its diverse communities.
Recycling plants are cutting contamination and costs as nearly 100 AI-powered machines take over the tedious sorting humans often get wrong.
Environmental pressure is forcing China to curb single-use plastics, with major cities set to lose plastic bags by year-end.
Investors may pour more money into low-carbon projects this year, but election outcomes and climate shocks could still slow decarbonisation.
Demand for high-quality recycled plastics is rising as Borealis turns waste into branded consumer goods through key partnerships.
Mass timber is opening up faster, cheaper projects across Australia, with new code changes and local supply widening its use beyond niche builds.
Britain could cut aviation emissions and landfill use as a planned waste-to-fuels plant near Immingham seeks approval, creating 130 jobs.
Rural farms could cut power bills and earn extra income as a new on-site biogas and solar system turns waste into electricity and fertiliser.
Without a national framework, Australian energy-from-waste projects risk stranded investment and misallocated feedstock in the circular economy.
Insect bioconversion could turn millions of tonnes of food waste into animal feed, biodiesel and packaging materials, while cutting emissions.
Government procurement may soon favour firms able to prove their contribution to wellbeing, putting traditional industries under pressure to adapt.
Pragmatic solutions are needed to cut waste, trim compliance costs and keep safety goals intact as prescriptive rules prove too rigid.
Redesigned equipment is back in the Pacific as the Ocean Cleanup makes a second bid to trap plastic in the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
The Oakey beef plant has cut natural gas use and wastewater odours, with biogas output now helping to offset drought-hit operating costs.
Families in Washington will soon have a third funeral option after state lawmakers approved transforming human remains into soil for gardens.
Businesses are cutting landfill charges and transport costs as a Sydney plant turns commercial food waste into fertiliser and green energy.
Household waste is often dumped or shipped overseas, fuelling a worsening plastic-recycling crisis and illegal trade in Asia.
It could turn mixed textiles, plastics and food waste into pellets, as VTT seeks a partner to commercialise the prototype.
A global design-thinking relay has helped turn Raglan waste concerns into reusable-box ideas aimed at curbing single-use packaging in Waikato.
Farmers could save on insulators as a wood-plastic fence post is said to be stronger, longer-lasting and easier to handle than timber alternatives.
