WRAP CEO leaves potatoes in Starmer’s fridge to highlight food waste
Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) CEO Catherine David used a recent visit at Number Ten to leave a message in the Prime Minister’s fridge.
Attending a discussion on food waste and poverty, David left a bag of potatoes, marked ‘use’ and ‘chuck’ to demonstrate the amount that typically goes to waste.
Posting on LinkedIn, David explained: “I left the bag of potatoes in the PM’s fridge (they’ll keep for ages refrigerated) – the eagle eyed will see that half the bag is marked ‘use’ and the other half ‘chuck’, as that’s what happens in reality.
“Of course, people really don’t want to waste food and there’s a huge amount we can do to prevent it, saving people money and protecting our planet’s resources.”
The discussion focused on the opportunity to cut household food waste, which costs the average UK family of four around £1,000 a year, while ensuring more supply chain surplus is redistributed as nutritious meals.
Rugeley anaerobic digestion plant advances through pre-construction
Plans for a new anaerobic digestion (AD) facility in Rugeley, Staffordshire, have progressed to the pre-construction phase.
The project is being developed by Upper Mills Energy, with investment from biomethane project developer Pinta Energy.
Once operational, the plant will aim to process up to 57,000 tonnes of mixed arable feedstock each year, producing around 1,000m³ of biomethane per hour for injection into the national gas grid.
PWCL has been appointed as project manager, overseeing design development and pre-construction activities.
The project team is also exploring the potential integration of carbon capture technology, with construction targeted for 2026, subject to final approvals.
Michael Heenan, CEO of Pinta Energy, commented: “Rugeley is a strong example of how targeted investment can help unlock high-quality biomethane projects in the UK.
“We’re pleased to be working with Upper Mills Energy and PWCL as the project moves toward construction.”
Enfinium relaunches Repair Café Support Fund for third year
Energy from Waste (EfW) operator Enfinium has launched the third year of its Repair Café Support Fund, making a further £20,000 available to community Repair Cafés located near its sites across England and Wales.
Since the initiative began in March 2024, more than £35,000 has been awarded to 22 Repair Cafés, supporting both new start-ups and the expansion of existing projects.
Mike Maudsley, CEO at Enfinium, said: “By empowering communities to repair rather than replace, Repair Cafés play an important role in reducing waste and advancing the circular economy from the bottom up, as well as forming an integral part of the local communities where we operate.”
Repair Cafés within 30 miles of Enfinium’s facilities in West Yorkshire, the West Midlands and Kent, as well as those across North Wales, can apply for grants of up to £1,500.
Applications are open until 31 May 2026, with the fund continuing to support community-led waste prevention initiatives.
Reconome and Good Things Foundation expand partnership to tackle digital exclusion
Reconome and digital inclusion charity Good Things Foundation gave partnered to deliver 85,000 devices to digitally excluded people across the UK by June 2029.
Under the agreement, Reconome becomes the exclusive technology partner to the National Device Bank, providing a long-term supply of refurbished laptops, tablets and mobile devices.
The partnership builds on a successful pilot launched three years ago and aims to move beyond one-off donations towards a more sustainable, reuse-led model.
Nick Rawkins, Co-founder and CEO of Reconome, commented: “So much of our lives, from accessing public services and healthcare to learning, banking and staying connected, happens online and everyone should have the tools they need to take part.
“Together, we’re proving that repurposed technology can change lives at scale; tackling digital exclusion while reducing waste and delivering real, lasting impact.”
Helen Milner, CEO of Good Things Foundation, added: “This partnership ensures an ongoing supply of devices, directly enabling people to get online and improve their lives.
“It’s fantastic to see organisations embracing sustainable IT asset disposal while making such a meaningful social impact.”
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