(GUF) TYRES - WAITING FOR CHANGE

Belgium runs one of the most advanced and effective tyre EPR systems globally, achieving near-universal collection, high recycling rates, and public trust.

Introduced in 2004, its Tyre EPR Scheme replaced the previous 1995 scheme and obligates manufacturers, importers, and sellers to take financial and physical responsibility for tyres and covers all end-of-life tyres (ELTs), with strict legal enforcement.

The system uses a single collective PRO to manage all collection and recycling which is essentially producer-led but under strong government oversight which ensures consistency, transparency, and performance. Targets are strict - 100% collection target enforced with material recovery being prioritised over energy recovery - tyres must be accepted “one-for-one” at point of sale or service.

Funded by the Advance Disposal Fee (ADF) which is included in the tyre price, the fee is visible to consumers (no hidden charges) with all funds being used to pay for collection, sorting, and recycling. With a network of approx. 5,400 nationwide collection points (estimated) including garages, civic amenity sites, etc. the scheme aims for high convenience and accessibility for consumers.

The UK on the otherhand does not have a tyre-specific Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme and exports around 300,000–370,000 tonnes of end-of-life tyres each year - equivalent to approximately 1,000 tonnes per day leaving the UK.

India remains the dominant destination, receiving about 70% of exported UK tyres.

The UK exports more tyres than it recycles at home to countries with weaker environmental controls. This not only causes pollution abroad but also undermines UK recycling businesses. Stronger regulation (e.g. banning whole-tyre exports or removing T8 exemptions) is urgently needed. Please click - link.

A Tyre News report in early May indicated DEFRA is reviewing T8 and “considering tighter controls on ELT exports”. - link - more like this (tyres) link - more like this (India) - link

(GUF) TWEAKING THE SYSTEM

Let's give Defra and all concerned a collective pat on the back by recognising the significant strides being made through the UK’s evolving waste legislation. From Simpler Recycling to Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR), the direction of travel is encouraging and long overdue. 

However, as with all systems, refinement is key. In my humble opinion, there are two immediate opportunities to enhance both the environmental credibility and operational practicality of current reforms:

1. Give Glass the Credit It Deserves under pEPR

Glass remains one of the most circular packaging materials in existence; endlessly recyclable without degradation, widely collected, and consistently processed domestically. Yet under the current pEPR fee modulation, it is financially penalised relative to less circular options. This risks incentivising a shift away from glass towards lower-cost, higher-impact materials like plastic.

Recommendation: Adjust pEPR modulated fees to reflect true circular value and material sustainability, rewarding glass for its proven performance.

2. Reintroduce the 5kg Threshold for Business Food Waste Collections

Mandating food waste collections for all businesses regardless of output has unintentionally created inefficiencies. In many cases, large vehicles are dispatched to collect negligible volumes (e.g. a single banana skin), with emissions from transport far outweighing the environmental benefit of anaerobic digestion.

Recommendation: Reinstate the minimum threshold of 5kg/week for obligated food waste collections from businesses, ensuring resource use is proportionate and impactful.

The UK is on the right path, but like all good systems, perfection rarely comes first time. With some focused adjustments, we can maximise environmental returns, reduce confusion, and reinforce trust in these policies. More like this (Defra) - link

DEFRA BOOSTS PLASTIC USE

And the prize for “Snatching Defeat from the Jaws of Victory” goes to…

DEFRA

for designing an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme that somehow encourages the use of less recyclable, less circular materials.

In a plot twist that absolutely no one asked for - glass - only one of the most circular materials on planet Earth is being penalised for its weight; while lighter, fossil-based plastics get off lightly (pun very much intended). Modulated fees? More like mood-swinging fines.

To quote the wise philosophers of the 90s - Aqua - “Life in plastic, it's fantastic.” - and apparently, it's also government approved.

More like this - Defra - link

#EPR

#CircularEconomy

#GlassHalfFull

#PlasticFantastic

#PolicyFacepalm

#Greenwashing

(RCH) NO OBJECTIONS TO J MOULD INCINERATOR

No objections have been raised by Reading Borough Council to a waste-burning facility on the outskirts of the town. A new energy-from-waste incinerator is due to be built by Reading waste management company J Mould at its facility in Berrys Lane, Burghfield.

The incinerator will work by burning waste with steam being used to turn turbines and generate power. The project has proven controversial from the outset, with campaign group Reading Against the Incinerator claiming fumes from burning rubbish would spread to West Reading, Coley, Southcote and Whitley.

Furthermore, a BBC report from last October stated that burning waste is the 'dirtiest' form of generating power in the UK.

The development was approved by neighbouring West Berkshire councillors in August 2022. However, the council requires details of the construction, site management and traffic before the facility is built. J Mould has therefore submitted details to West Berkshire Council for approval.

Reading Borough Council's planning department has submitted no objections to the detailed application. Jonathan Markwell, the principal planning officer at Reading council said: "Council transport planning has confirmed that reasonable steps have been taken by the applicant within the construction traffic management plan to avoid peak hour traffic movements.

"More specifically, the plan has been updated to state that travel will be outside of peak hours where possible, although it is acknowledged that some peak HGV vehicle movements are likely to occur whilst the main building is being fitted with its internal equipment during a six week period.

"However, the plan does state that the principal contractor shall seek to organise construction activities such that where practicable construction workers would not have to travel to and from the site during the morning and evening peak hours. more of this article (The Reading Chronicle) - link - more like this (incinerators) - link - more like this (Reading) - link

(WEV) ELECTRIC COMMERCIAL VEHICLE SALES UP

In March, the UK's light commercial vehicle (LCV) market experienced a decline, with registrations down by 3.2% compared to the same month last year. This marks the fourth consecutive monthly decrease, a trend influenced by ongoing economic uncertainty which has tempered business investment in new vehicles. 

The only good news was an increase in the sale of electric commercial vehicles. Market conditions means that the Government has felt it necessary to offer further encouragement to local EV production – especially in the face of the on-going tariff wars.

Overall, the UK is taking a leadership position in EVs. The UK was the largest EV market in Europe in 2024 and the third in the world with over 382,000 EVs sold – up a fifth on the previous year. There are now more than 75,000 public chargepoints in the UK – with a new one added every 29 minutes – ensuring that motorists are always a short drive from a socket. But that has not been reflected in the commercial vehicle market.

The decline in overall commercial vehicles sales was most pronounced in the largest van segment, which saw a 10% drop in registrations, totalling 32,025 units and representing 62.5% of the total market. Medium-sized vans and 4x4s also experienced declines of 8.5% and 18.9%, respectively. However, there was a notable increase in the registration of small vans, which grew by almost 61% to 1,585 units, now making up 3.1% of the market.

Amidst these broader market challenges, electric vehicles (EVs) in the LCV category are seeing significant growth. In March, battery electric vans up to 4.25 tonnes recorded a 40.3% increase in registrations, reaching a new monthly high of 4,215 units. This growth in electric uptake, now accounting for 8.3% of the market share in the first quarter of the year, is supported by the Plug-in Van Grant which remains a critical incentive for operators. Despite these positive developments, electric LCVs still only represent half of the 16% market share targeted for 2025, underscoring the need for further measures to boost the adoption of greener vehicles. More of this article (WhichEV) - link - more like this (electric vans) - link - more like this (ev general) - link

(GRE) THE HOLY GRAIL OF CULTIVATED MEAT

Researchers in Japan say they’ve reached a “breakthrough” in tissue engineering that could open up “transformative opportunities” for cultivated meat production.

To solve one of cultivated meat’s biggest challenges, scientists have resorted to the circulatory system.

The same way blood vessels carry nutrients and oxygen to cells to help animals grow, scientists from the University of Tokyo have devised a “breakthrough” method to deliver these nutrients to artificial tissue, making it possible to grow whole cuts of cultivated meat, the holy grail for the future food industry.

Currently, most production methods can only render tiny pieces of cultivated meat (akin to mince), which are then assembled into a larger product via edible scaffolds, or combined with plant-based binders and ingredients to form a whole piece.

The problem lies in the random distribution of hollow fibres, which prevents uniform nutrient delivery and hinders tissue quality. Shoji Takeuchi and his colleagues have come up with what they say is a “scalable, top-down strategy” for producing whole cuts of cultivated meat using a perfusable hollow fibre bioreactor.

The study, published in the Trends in Biotechnology journal, explained that getting enough oxygen and nutrients to the cells in the centre of thick tissues is a major hurdle. Diffusion alone can’t sustain cells across considerable distances.

To overcome that, the researchers developed a bioreactor equipped with an array of semi-permeable hollow fibres that function as artificial circulation systems, which ensured uniform nutrient distribution throughout the tissue.

“We’re using semipermeable hollow fibres, which mimic blood vessels in their ability to deliver nutrients to the tissues,” said Takeuchi.

“These fibres are already commonly used in household water filters and dialysis machines for patients with kidney disease. It’s exciting to discover that these tiny fibres can also effectively help create artificial tissues and, possibly, whole organs in the future,” he added.

“We overcame the challenge of achieving perfusion across thick tissues by arranging hollow fibres with microscale precision,” Takeuchi says.

Tissues without an integrated circular system have generally been limited to a thickness of less than 1mm, but this new method allowed the scientists to produce a 2cm thick piece of chicken muscle that was several centimetres long and wide. Made using chicken fibroblast cells, which make up connective tisuse, the meat weighed 11g, and was about the size of a chicken nugget. More of this article (green queen) - link - more like this (cultivated meat) - link - more like this (Japan) - link

(GUF) WEF EPR & EARTH

The World Economic Forum is ideally placed to facilitate standardisation dialogues across countries which is a key barrier in EPR systems which in turn are crucial to the future of recycling.

When it comes to EPR, this is vital because companies like Coca-Cola and Unilever aren’t waiting for the UN to tell them what to do but they do show up to Davos with talking points and open chequebooks. Uniquely, the WEF can push for harmonised reporting for EPR compliance and help develop private-sector ready digital traceability systems.

Through platforms like Scale360° and Circulars Accelerator, the WEF already supports startups and pilot projects in circular economy innovation which includes packaging, e-waste, textiles, and a whole lot more.

Scale360° in particular brings together stakeholders from various sectors to assess local challenges and design interventions that stimulate circular economy innovation within cities, countries, and regions.

By promoting cross-border EPR pilots, the WEF can test how multinational brands could report, fund, and adapt under different EPR regimes.

Whilst I'm sure most corporate executives don’t read DEFRA reports with a cup of tea, if the WEF frames EPR as a strategy, a consumer loyalty tool, or a license-to-operate issue, suddenly ears perk up in the C-suite. More like this (WEF) - link - more like this (EPR) - link

(GUF) CHARITY DOESN'T BEGIN AT HOME (EARTH)

There’s no shortage of money. Let’s kill that myth once and for all. There's only a shortage of will, imagination, or intelligence to spend it wisely. When a handful of men can each afford their own space programme, and yet children still go to bed hungry in cities glowing with wealth, we’re not dealing with scarcity, we’re dealing with stupidity.

Anyone with more than a few million; enough to live several lifetimes in comfort isn’t amassing wealth for security, they’re doing it for sport, status, or some sort of cosmic scoreboard and while the ultra-rich chase immortality through cryogenics, moon bases, and having their heads uploaded to the cloud, let’s ask a very real question:

What could the top five richest people actually achieve if they pooled their wealth?

Global housing Iinitiative - with just a fraction of their net worth, they could end homelessness in multiple countries. We're not talking pop-up tents; we’re talking proper, sustainable housing with integrated social support.

Universal clean water access - the UN estimates it would cost around $150 billion over five years to provide clean water and sanitation globally. That’s couch change to our billionaire friends.

Cure incentives and health acceleration - prize funds and open research grants could fast-track cures for neglected diseases, fund mental health reform, and make insulin and cancer treatment affordable globally.

Environmental restoration on a galactic scale - reforest the Amazon? Restore coral reefs? Transition entire nations to renewable energy? Possible. The only barrier is interest, not ability.

Education, not ego - They could bankroll free higher education, invest in failing schools, or create institutions where critical thinking is actually taught; not just shareholder capitalism 101.

If money is power, and they hoard most of it, then the world’s suffering isn’t being overlooked; it’s being engineered. It's not just a question of wealth, it’s a question of priorities and sadly, Wi-Fi on Mars seems to be winning. Afterthought - link - Regret - link - More like this (Amazon) - link - more like this (space) - link 

(GUF) READIPOP 2025

(GRE) PLANT BASED BY DEFAULT

French catering giant Sodexo is expanding its partnership with Greener by Default to roll out plant-forward menus at 400 hospitals in the US.

To help Americans stay healthier, spend less money, and be kinder to the planet, Sodexo is expanding its plant-heavy menus across all US hospitals it caters to. To do so, it’s diversifying its partnership with Greener by Default, a behavioural choice agency that advocates for menus that prioritise plant-based food over animal options.

The expansion builds on the success of their campaign with NYC Health + Hospitals, which rolled out its ‘plant-based by default’ scheme at all 11 public hospitals in the city to great success. That initiative has served over two million patients since its 2022 launch, with a 90% satisfaction rate. Sodexo’s menus position vegan meals as the default option for one meal per day at 131 hospitals already, but this will now be extended to an additional 200 hospitals this year, and bring the total to 400 by 2026.

“Our collaboration with Greener by Default is driven by our shared goal to advance and promote plant-based dining in hospitals across the US through effective choices,” said Molly Matthews, CEO of Sodexo’s healthcare and seniors divisions. More of his article (green queen) - link - more like this (hospital food) - link - more like this (America random) - link

(GUF) WHEN PPT MET EPR

In the world of packaging policy, two big acronyms are stealing the spotlight: PPT (Plastic Packaging Tax) and EPR (Extended Producer Responsibility). 

They’ve both arrived at the party to shake up the way packaging is produced, used, and disposed of but they’ve shown up with very different personalities and a slightly awkward working relationship.

Different Jobs, Same Goal

At a glance, they seem aligned; both aim to reduce waste, boost recycling, and move the UK towards a circular economy. But scratch the surface and it’s clear: they operate independently, with different levers of influence.

PPT is a tax hammer: if your plastic packaging contains less than 30% recycled content, you’ll be charged £223.69 per tonne (as of 2025). It’s all about pushing businesses to use more recycled polymers, especially rPET, by hitting them in the wallet if they don’t.

EPR, on the other hand, is a cost-shifting framework. It holds producers financially responsible for the entire lifecycle of packaging: from design to disposal. Under EPR, businesses must fund collection, sorting, and recycling systems based on how easy (or hard) their packaging is to recycle.

Two Systems, One Bill

Here’s the kicker: you can end up paying both.

If your packaging:

• Contains less than 30% recycled content → you pay the PPT
• Is hard to recycle, or uses unfriendly materials → you pay higher EPR fees

Think of it as a two-lane toll road: one lane charges for not using recycled content, the other for poor recyclability.

Modulation - Where the Magic Might Happen

The UK's new EPR regime introduces modulated fees where packaging that’s easier to recycle (and made from better materials) pays less. While PPT is currently flat-rate, EPR modulation could soon reward those who use recycled materials like rPET, creating a financial sweet spot where circular design meets lower costs.

In theory, this could mean:

• Design with recyclability in mind
• Use recycled content to avoid PPT
• Get a fee discount under EPR

It’s not seamless yet, but the direction of travel is clear.

A Bit of a Communication Breakdown

Right now, PPT and EPR don’t talk to each other. They require different data submissions, reporting systems, and compliance hoops. There’s no offsetting, no bundling, and certainly no shared application portal. In other words: they’re flatmates, not soulmates.

But as reporting requirements tighten and data becomes more central to compliance, expect smart companies to start joining the dots, integrating packaging design, procurement, compliance, and finance teams to handle both schemes in tandem.

Conclusion: A Promising But Clumsy Couple

PPT and EPR may not be a love story yet—but together, they form a powerful duo. One penalises virgin plastic; the other rewards responsible design.

(NAT) BYD DENZA LAUNCHES IN EUROPE

 

Last year, BYD sold over 4.2 million cars worldwide, with over 90% of those sales occurring in China. And it doesn’t look like the company is resting on its laurels, for it has just launched its high-end Denza brand in Europe.

BYD has its eyes set on competing with luxury German carmakers like BMW and Mercedes, in addition to bolstering its presence outside of Asia. Ironic considering Denza was a 50:50 joint venture with Mercedes at one point.

But now that the premium brand is fully owned by BYD, it has officially debuted in Europe at the Brera Design Week in Milan, which is being held between April 7 and 13. At the moment, BYD controls three different brands: Yangwang, Fang Cheng Bao, and Denza – and under the lattermost, the business plans to combine all of its high-end offerings in Europe.

Alfredo Altavilla, the group's special adviser for Europe, stated that Denza would lead the group's technological prowess in the years ahead despite making up just over 3% of its overall sales. "It will anticipate tech features that will later appear on BYD brand cars," he stated following the Milan Design Week unveiling.

As for the car sales, the company is expected to kick off its European journey with the battery electric version of its 1,000 horsepower Z9 GT sport wagon by the end of the year.

The Z9 GT is available in China in two different pricing points: a plug-in hybrid version that starts at RMB 334,800 (about US$45,633) and an all-electric model that starts at RMB 354,800 (about US$48,360). I can clearly see parallels being drawn with the Porsche Panamera when the sporty Denza eventually makes its way to Europe.

Although BYD intends to begin production at its first European plant, in Hungary, from October, the early Denza models will be made and shipped from China. In March 2026, a second BYD site in Turkey is anticipated to go operational, which will be able to produce 500,000 cars annually. More of this article (New Atlas) - link - more like this (BYD) - link - more like this (China) - link - more like this (Milan) - link

(GUF) POLYTAG WAITROSE & BIFFA

 

With the Ecotrace system's capability to provide granular, barcode-level data on plastic packaging recycling, transparency is no longer just a buzzword - it's a reality.

Current MRFs Integrated with Polytag's Ecotrace Programme:

Polytag has been actively deploying its Plastic Detection Units (PDUs) across the UK. As of now, the following Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs) are equipped with this technology:

• Biffa MRF – Edmonton, North London
• Biffa MRF – Teesside, Northeast England
• Re-Gen MRF – Newry, Northern Ireland
• Conwy MRF – Wales
• Gwynedd MRF – Wales
• Pembrokeshire MRF – Wales
• Anglesey MRF – Wales

Polytag plans to expand its network to include more MRFs, aiming for over 12 sites within a year to enhance the traceability of plastic packaging . This expansion is crucial for retailers like Waitrose to ensure comprehensive coverage across their operations.

Polytag's plans to achieve over 90% coverage of the UK's domestic recycling throughput by deploying UV-tag detection equipment across more than 40 sites .

Inclusion of Incinerators in the Polytag System:

Currently, Polytag's Ecotrace Programme focuses on MRFs, where the detection of UV-tagged packaging occurs during the sorting and recycling process. There's no public information indicating that incinerators or Energy-from-Waste (EfW) facilities are integrated into the Polytag system at this time.

Implications for Biffa:

With Waitrose joining the Ecotrace Programme, Biffa's operations will be under increased scrutiny. The real-time data provided by Polytag's system will offer unprecedented insights into the recycling rates of packaging materials, making it imperative for waste contractors to ensure high efficiency and transparency in their recycling processes.

Clearly, the Polytag Ecotrace Programme only works where the tech is deployed, and right now, that’s still a very small pool of MRFs. So for Waitrose, it’s only a game changer in locations where Biffa or their subcontracted MRF is tagged-in.

This raises a few strategic points:

• Biffa’s vertically integrated model is both a strength and a bottleneck. Where they control the MRF (e.g. Teesside, Edmonton), data will flow beautifully. But in areas where they rely on third-party processors the packaging’s digital footprint vanishes.

• Waitrose’s brand value hinges on consistency, and Ecotrace, ironically, highlights inconsistencies across the UK. If the packaging's UV tag can be traced in Newry but not in Norwich, the consumer impact is blunted.

• Incineration sites not being on the Ecotrace radar further limits the vision. Since EfW remains a significant “disposal” method, it creates a black hole for accountability precisely where it’s needed most.

Next move for Waitrose (if they're serious):

• Demand a rollout of Ecotrace-compatible PDUs in all key regions, especially where Biffa uses third-party disposal.
• Use their position as a major retailer to push for MRF data transparency, whether through Polytag or a parallel system.
• Consider offering incentives or partnership support for local authorities or processors willing to install Ecotrace PDUs.

Credit where credit's due. 

In an industry that often gets painted with a broad brush dipped in cynicism, Biffa stepping up to integrate with Polytag is genuinely impressive. They didn’t have to do this, especially when the tech can shine a big UV light (literally and metaphorically) on where things fall short.

It would’ve been easy to cherry-pick; only showcasing high-performing regions, leaning into controlled environments, and leaving the rest to the black hole of EfW or mystery MRFs but Biffa’s move here suggests a willingness to be held accountable, and that’s a rare and valuable trait in the waste sector.

This partnership with Waitrose could set a blueprint for how retailers and contractors can work transparently across the whole supply chain, not just in PR-friendly postcode lotteries. It’s the kind of move that could nudge the industry away from the old “data-free, trust-us” model, More like this (Biffa) - link - more like this (Waitrose) - link - supporting detail (Polytag) - link

(CIR) WAITROSE - TRACKING THEIR WASTE (CONTRACTOR)

Waitrose has joined Polytag’s Ecotrace Programme to track and recycle its single-use plastic packaging.

The Ecotrace Programme was launched in 2024 to optimise the identification and recycling of plastic packaging waste. It does this by installing Polytag Plastic Detection Units (PDUs) at leading MRFs. These units are retrofitted to conveyors and detect packaging that has been ‘marked’ with Polytag’s invisible UV Tags, which were applied at speed using fluorescent ink.

Polytag says the programme allows brands to accurately identify how much of their packaging has been recycled post-consumption for the first time. With its partners, Polytag is deploying the invisible UV Tag detection technology in 12 Materials Recovery Facilities (MRFs).

Commenting on the announcement, Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, said: “Waitrose joins us at a pivotal moment as we approach our goal of installing PDUs at 12 sites within the first year of our Ecotrace Programme. “This is an incredible achievement that will empower Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) brands, retailers and waste management companies by providing invaluable access to granular barcode-level data on 50% of the UK’s waste recycling stream.”

As an Ecotrace member, Waitrose will gain access to the Polytag dashboard – an online hub which displays live barcode-level lifecycle data on plastic packaging materials as they enter the recycling stream. Denise Mathieson, Head of Packaging Design & Delivery at Waitrose, said the supermarket is committed to reducing its impact on the environment.

“Joining Polytag’s Ecotrace Programme is a significant step forward in enhancing our ability to track and understand the journey of our plastic packaging post-consumption,” Mathieson said.

“This initiative aligns with our ongoing sustainability efforts and reinforces our dedication to reducing single-use plastic waste. More of this article (Circular) - link - more like this (Waitrose) - link - more like this (Biffa) - link - more like this (waste tracking) - link

(ABC) WORLD CLASS DEFORESTATION

JAKARTA - Indonesia plans to clear forests about the size of Belgium to produce sugarcane-derived bioethanol, rice and other food crops, potentially displacing Indigenous groups who rely on the land to survive.

Local communities say they’re already experiencing harm from the government-backed project, which environmental watchdogs say is the largest current planned deforestation operation in the world. A vast tropical archipelago stretching across the equator, Indonesia is home to the world’s third-largest rainforest, home to many endangered species of wildlife and plants, including orangutans, elephants and giant forest flowers. Some live nowhere else.

Indonesia has been building food estates, massive plantations designed to improve the country's food security for decades, with varying level of success. The concept was revived by former President Joko Widodo during his 2014- 2024 administration.

The current president, Prabowo Subianto, has expanded such projects to include crops to produce bioethanol, a renewable fuel made from plants like sugar cane or corn, in pursuit of Indonesia's ambition to improve its energy mix and develop more renewable sources.

“I am confident that within four to five years at the latest, we will achieve food self-sufficiency,” Prabowo said in October 2024. “We must be self-sufficient in energy and we have the capacity to achieve this."

Biofuels, such as bioethanol, play an important role in decarbonizing transport by providing a low-carbon solution for sectors that heavily rely on fossil fuels such as trucking, shipping and aviation, according to the International Energy Agency. But the agency also cautions expansion of biofuel should have minimal impact on land-use, food and other environmental factors in order to be developed sustainably.

That's of particular concern in Indonesia, where more than 74 million hectares (285,715 square miles) of Indonesian rainforest — an area twice the size of Germany — have been logged, burned or degraded for development of palm oil, paper and rubber plantations, nickel mining and other commodities since 1950, according to Global Forest Watch.

Indonesia has vast potential for bioethanol production due to its extensive agricultural land but currently lacks sustainable feedstocks, like sugarcane and cassava. A previous attempt to introduce bioethanol-blended fuel in 2007 was discontinued a few years later due to a lack of feedstock supply.

Since then, the government has accelerated work on its food and energy estate mega-project, which spans 4.3 million hectares (about 10.6 million acres) on the islands of Papua and Kalimantan. Experts say the combined size of the numerous project sites makes the mega-project the largest current deforestation project in the world. The largest site, called the Merauke Integrated Food and Energy Estate, will cover more than 3 million hectares (7.4 million acres) in the far-eastern region of Papua, according to the international environmental organization Mighty Earth.

Overlapping with the Trans-Fly ecoregion, it's home to critically endangered and endemic mammals, birds and turtles and to several Indigenous groups who rely on traditional ways of living. “Imagine every piece of vegetation in that area being completely cleared ... having all the trees and the wildlife erased from the landscape and replaced with a monoculture,” said Glenn Horowitz, CEO of Mighty Earth. “It’s creating a zone of death in one of the most vibrant spots on Earth.” More of this article (abc NEWS) - link - more like this (Indonesia) - link - more like this (deforestation) - link - more like this (bioethanol) - link