Scottish 'energy entrepreneurs' now generate £350m a year. More than £82m was invested in 117 independent renewable energy projects across Scotland last year, according to figures revealed today. The spending by businesses, developers, farmers, landowners and communities means almost £700m has now been invested in the sector in Scotland in…

The ban on plastic straw.   Prime Minister Theresa May announced that there will be a consultation into some banning some prevalent single-use plastics, including plastic straws and cotton buds at the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting on Friday 19 April. Around 8.5 billion plastic straws are thrown out in the UK every year,…

Waitrose to stop using disposable coffee cups.   Some 2.5 billion coffee cups are thrown away annually in the UK, almost none of which are recycled because of their plastic lining. Disposable cups will be removed from all Waitrose stores by the autumn. Members of its loyalty scheme will still…