Business Legislation

All areas of environment at high risk of damage due to ‘no deal’ Brexit, says Greener UK
All areas of environment at high risk of damage due to ‘no deal’ Brexit, says Greener UK

All areas of environmental policy and protections are at high risk of being weakened or negatively affected after Brexit, according to Greener UK’s latest Brexit Risk Tracker.


Greener UK, a coalition of 13 major environmental organisations co-ordinated by think tank Green Alliance, has been tracking the progress of Brexit and the risk posed to environmental protections ... More

India implements ban on imports of plastic waste
India implements ban on imports of plastic waste

The Indian Government has banned all imports of solid plastics waste as part of a drive to tackle pollution and littering.

Julia Turner
An eye on the markets: Biomass market appeal

Julia Turner, Executive Director of the Wood Recyclers' Association, gives an update on the market for waste wood.

Plastic packaging
Government launches resources and waste consultations
By
Kate Dickinson
| 18 February 2019 |
Consultations have been opened on four key measures in the Resources and Waste Strategy, seeking views on producer responsibility, consistent collections, deposit return schemes and the plastics tax.
EU microplastics ban could be in force by 2020
EU microplastics ban could be in force by 2020
By
Kate Dickinson
| 30 January 2019 |
The European Union could be banning a range of microplastics in products by 2020 – but critics say the proposal needs to be tightened up to ensure it will have “real impact”.
Gove raises prospect of waste stockpiling in the event of ‘no deal’ Brexit
Gove raises prospect of waste stockpiling in the event of ‘no deal’ Brexit
By
Rob Cole
| 29 January 2019 |
The Environment Secretary Michael Gove has outlined Defra’s preparations for the stockpiling of waste in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit in a letter to Lord Teverson, Chair of the European Union Energy and Environment Sub-Committee in the House of Lords.
Welsh projects share £1.4m funding from Landfill Disposals Tax
Welsh projects share £1.4m funding from Landfill Disposals Tax
By
Rob Cole
| 28 January 2019 |
The Welsh Government has revealed a range of environmental projects set to benefit from more than £1 million of funding raised through its Landfill Disposals Tax Communities Scheme.
France to force online retailers to tackle compliance free-riding
By
Rob Cole
| 27 January 2019 |
The French Government is set to introduce new rules obligating online marketplaces, such as Amazon, to ensure that the collection and recycling of waste arising from products sold through their sites is properly financed.
EU paves way for right to repair
EU paves way for right to repair
By
Rob Cole
| 18 January 2019 |
The EU will introduce legislation obliging manufacturers to make their products longer-lasting and easier to repair following ratification by European environment ministries.
South Korea latest country to ban single-use plastic bags
South Korea latest country to ban single-use plastic bags
By
Kate Dickinson
| 3 January 2019 |
The South Korean Government has banned single-use plastic bags, with potential fines of over £2,000 for businesses that do not comply with the new rules.
It’s time to vote for your Legends of Waste in this year’s Hot 100!
It’s time to vote for your Legends of Waste in this year’s Hot 100!
By
Rob Cole
| 20 December 2018 |
Who across the waste and resources world has done enough to etch their name into the pantheon of greats as this year’s Legend of Waste? You can tell us now by voting in this year’s Hot 100.
Industry welcomes ‘bold and radical’ Resources and Waste Strategy
Industry welcomes ‘bold and radical’ Resources and Waste Strategy
By
Rob Cole
| 18 December 2018 |
Key stakeholders have largely welcomed the publication of the Resources and Waste Strategy by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), calling it a “blueprint for the future” and “bold and radical”, though some reservations remain.
Resources and Waste Strategy outlines government’s circular ambitions
Resources and Waste Strategy outlines government’s circular ambitions
By
Rob Cole
| 18 December 2018 |
Plans to introduce separate food waste collections to every household in England by 2023 and ensure producers pay for the costs of managing their waste packaging have been included in the long-awaited Resources and Waste Strategy.
SEPA plans to make Scotland’s metal sector go circular
SEPA plans to make Scotland’s metal sector go circular
By
Kate Nicholson
| 12 December 2018 |
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has devised a new sector plan to make Scotland’s metal sector part of the nation’s emerging circular economy.
FEAD calls for simplification of EU Waste Shipment Regulation
FEAD calls for simplification of EU Waste Shipment Regulation
By
Rob Cole
| 7 November 2018 |
The European Federation of Waste Management and Environmental Services (FEAD) has called on the European Commission to simplify the Waste Shipment Regulation and harmonise enforcement across EU member states.
Public support for resource efficient policies, says report
Public supports resource efficient policies, says report
By
Rob Cole
| 5 November 2018 |
Three quarters of the UK public want the government to ensure that businesses produce repairable and recyclable products, while 90 per cent believe that all packaging should be made recyclable, according to a new survey conducted by Cardiff University.
Defra still short of 1,400 staff ahead of EU withdrawal deadline
Defra still short of 1,400 staff ahead of EU withdrawal deadline
By
Rob Cole
| 17 October 2018 |
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is still short of 1,400 staff as the Brexit deadline of March 2019 approaches, having already recruited 1,300 new employees since April 2018.
Record fines handed out for waste crime, says EA report
Record fines handed out for waste crime, says EA report
By
Rob Cole
| 16 October 2018 |
A new report from the Environment Agency shows that 93 per cent of the businesses it regulated in 2017/18 showed good compliance with their environmental permits, while non-compliant businesses faced record fines.
Scotland to ban the burning of waste plastic from farms
Scotland to ban the burning of waste plastic from farms
By
Kate Dickinson
| 31 August 2018 |
Burning farm plastics will be illegal in Scotland from 2019 after the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) vowed to end exemptions enabling the practice.
Unprecedented public support for tax on plastics following Treasury consultation
Unprecedented public support for plastics tax after Treasury consultation
By
Rob Cole
| 20 August 2018 |
HM Treasury has revealed that its call for evidence on how the tax system could be used to reduce plastic waste has received overwhelming public support from individuals, businesses and campaign groups alike.
Public input wanted for Scotland’s deposit return scheme
By
Gethin Roberts
| 25 July 2018 |
Zero Waste Scotland is running a series of nationwide public engagement events giving details on potential schemes and seeking feedback from Scottish citizens. 
EU pressed to set mandatory recycled plastic content requirement
EU pressed to set mandatory recycled plastic content requirement
By
Kate Dickinson
| 20 July 2018 |
A coalition of 34 European organisations has called on the EU to implement a minimum requirement for recycled plastics in new products. 
Gove fails to guarantee current environmental standards won’t fall after Brexit
Gove fails to guarantee current environmental standards won’t fall after Brexit
By
Rob Cole
| 12 July 2018 |
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has been accused of “papering over the cracks” by MPs in Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee during an evidence session on the proposed Environmental Principles and Governance after EU Exit Bill.