Fairphone launches new sustainable smartphone
The phone has a modular design which allows it to be durable, easily repairable, and upgradeable and is made with responsibly sourced and conflict-free tin and tungsten and recycled copper and plastics.
Circular economy & zero waste
This archive tracks real progress on circular economy and zero-waste efforts worldwide — from packaging redesigns and repair-economy expansions to industrial waste-to-resource programs. More than 155 stories document what’s working, who’s driving it, and how communities and companies are closing the loop on consumption.
McDonald’s to eliminate plastic in Happy Meal toys by 2021
The fast-food chain expects to remove over 3,000 metric tons of plastic from the business from 2021 by abolishing plastic happy meal toys.
New E.U. rules aim to replace “throwaway culture” with circular economy
The new laws will ensure that new products brought to the EU market are repairable, recyclable, and designed to last longer than our current phones and tablets.
Starbucks is piloting fully compostable cups in five cities
Starbucks is piloting cups that are just like the company’s normal cups, but the plastic lining has been replaced with a compostable liner, making the cups recyclable and compostable.
Landmark French law will stop unsold goods being thrown away
France is to ban designer clothes and luxury goods companies from destroying unsold or returned items under a wide-ranging anti-waste law passed by parliament.
Malaysia begins refusing shipments of plastic waste from rich countries
Malaysia has sent back 150 containers of plastic waste to 13 countries since the Q3 2019, with the environment minster warning that those who want to make the country a rubbish bin of the world can “dream on.”
E.U. Commission passes new laws to make large appliances easier to repair
The so-called “Right to Repair” law says spare parts should remain available for at least seven to ten years after the appliance has been sold.
Thailand to ban imports of high-tech trash, plastic waste
Southeast Asia nations fear they are the new dumping ground for the world’s trash after China banned the entry of several types of waste as part of a campaign against foreign garbage.
Guatemala to ban plastic bags, straws, cups beginning 2021
The measure gives merchants two years to phase out bags, straws, plates, cups and containers made from plastic or plastic foam, and replace them with compostable items.
Sainsbury’s to cut plastic packaging in half by 2025
The U.K. supermarket giant currently uses almost 120,000 tonnes of plastic packaging per year.