To end the plastic waste scourge, companies will need to move to a circular economic model. The Japanese drinks giant Suntory has a plan to do just that. Here's how it will work

Tak Niinami 14 Jan 2020

Circular Economy

How to save the planet, one mobile device at a time

Mobile phones have transformed millions of lives for the better - but they carry an enormous environmental cost. Here are some of the changes we can - and must - make to reverse this.

Biju Nair 13 Jan 2020

Circular Economy

Scarcity and growth: our world's contradictory terrors

Capitalism has achieved much, but at a great cost. It’s time to reimagine what defines economic success.

Anne Richards 06 Jan 2020

Plastics and the Environment

We can use plastics to change the world for the better

Plastic is often seen as something to be eradicated entirely, but it has enormous potential as a resource that could open up new - and sustainable - markets and job opportunities.

Lesley Van Staveren 27 Dec 2019

Circular Economy

Here's how businesses can make the circular economy a reality

Transforming our economies from linear to circular can help us reach our climate change goals. What does going circular mean? Using energy-efficient manufacturing processes, making produc...

Alain Bejjani 19 Dec 2019

Plastics and the Environment

This entrepreneur built an island resort out of plastic waste

Turning a problem into a business opportunity, this entrepreneur wants you to spend your next holiday on his floating island made from trash.

Emma Charlton 13 Dec 2019

Circular Economy

China drafts new rules to control rural plastic pollution

The legislation is desperately needed as only 180,000 tonnes of the annual 2 million tonnes of plastic film used to protect crops gets recycled.

Reuters Staff · Thomson Reuters Foundation trust.org 09 Dec 2019

Plastics and the Environment

This island just became the first 'plastic-free' place in the UK

By taking small steps to cut down on single-use plastics in their communities, these towns and counties across the UK are part of a grassroots force for change.

Emma Charlton 29 Nov 2019

Climate Change

Toronto wants to power its trash trucks with food waste

Wasted food is a huge emitter of greenhouse gases: Toronto’s green energy scheme is trying to close the loop.

Charlotte Edmond 29 Nov 2019

Circular Economy

For a true circular economy, we must redefine waste

Recycling is still seen by many as integral to a circular economy - but preventing waste from being created in the first place is essential if we are to build a new economic model.

Alexandre Lemille 15 Nov 2019

Electricity

How technological innovation can disrupt climate change

Only seven of the 45 energy technologies and sectors are on target to meet commitments enshrined in the 2015 Paris climate agreement.

Ambroise Fayolle · Project Syndicate 12 Nov 2019

Circular Economy

The world's economy is only 9% circular. We must be bolder about saving resources

Simple household recycling isn't enough – only systematically decoupling the economy from resource use can save the planet.

Janez Potocnik and Antonia Gawel 11 Nov 2019

Future of Economic Progress

This is how tax can be effective in raising revenue in developing nations

Most low-income countries collect between 10 and 20 percent of their GDP in tax revenue, in comparison to high-income countries' average of nearly 40 percent.

Dwyer Gunn · NBER Digest 08 Nov 2019