Business Legislation

Environmental policy
SUEZ survey reveals lack of environmental policy across UK businesses

A partnership between SUEZ and the British Chambers of Commerce has seen research being published today (20 September) that reveals a lack of environmental policy across UK businesses.


Through conducting a survey amongst British corporations, the partnership found that there is a ‘significant disconnect’ between the awareness of the importance of an Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) approach within these businesses and the amount of these policies that have actually been put... More

Packaging
Recycling and packaging industries express ‘significant doubts’ over Defra EPR proposals

The ESA and 13 other national trade bodies stated their position in an open letter to the Government

A forklift moving at speed through a busy warehouse
Environmental and industry organisations urge European Parliament to crack down on online marketplaces

In an open letter to the European Parliament, the alliance encourages MEPs to go further to tackle illegal imports on online markets

CIWM report outlines key skills for waste sector
By
Kai Malloy
| 2 July 2021 |
The new Presidential Report launched by the 105th CIWM President Dr Adam Read highlights key skill areas for the waste and resources sector to focus on
Jacob Hayler and Sarah Poulter
CIWM and ESA unite to tackle modern slavery across waste sector
By
Kai Malloy
| 1 July 2021 |
The Chartered Institute of Wastes Management (CIWM) and the Environment Services Association (ESA) promise to tackle slavery across the industry
Quarry
£250k fine for waste company after employee killed by trommel
By Resource |
2 March 2021 |
John Wade is facing a court bill of nearly £250,000 following the death of an employee in a workplace incident  
WEEE
Tackling ‘shoddy’ electronics can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions
By Resource |
6 November 2020 |
Green Alliance research finds that identifying and penalising producers of low-quality electronics could drive efficiencies annually worth up to 800,000 tonnes of avoided carbon dioxide equivalent emissions.
Plastic bottles being manufactured
Britvic announces move to bottles made entirely from recycled plastic
By
Lidia Creech
| 23 October 2020 |
Soft drink producer Britvic has announced intention for all its plastic bottles in the UK to be made from 100 per cent recycled plastic by the end of 2022.
Mixed bottles in a crate
88 per cent of Irish in favour of ‘all-in’ DRS
By
Lidia Creech
| 21 October 2020 |
A poll commissioned by environmental charity VOICE has revealed that almost 90 per cent of Ireland’s population is in favour of a deposit return scheme to include a wide range of drinks containers.
Waste illegally dumped on a piece of land
New cross-sector initiative to tackle waste crime is announced
By
Lidia Creech
| 20 October 2020 |
The Waste Compliance Taskforce (WACT) – an association of public and private regulators, businesses and charities – will be launched this week.
Industry calls for tougher action on WEEE treated as scrap metal
By
Charles Newman
| 7 October 2020 |
A new report published by WEEE Forum calls for action on the treatment of WEEE as scrap metal, urging competent authorities to penalise facilities that illegitimately incorporate WEEE into their unreported waste flows.
Plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds now illegal in England
By
Fiona Binns
| 30 September 2020 |
Defra’s announcement that it is now illegal for businesses to supply plastic straws, stirrers and cotton buds to customers has been heavily criticised by environmental charities for not going far enough.
Peter James, partner and head of health and safety at national law firm BLM
What do waste companies need to know about Covid-19 inspections?
By
Peter James
| 7 September 2020 |
Peter James, partner and head of health and safety at national law firm BLM, explains what waste management companies need to be aware of when it comes to Covid-19 inspections.
Defra to extend plastic bag charge in England
Defra to extend plastic bag charge in England
By
Lidia Creech
| 1 September 2020 |
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has announced that it will be extending the plastic bag charge in England to all retailers from April 2021 as part of its ‘war on plastic waste’.
EA outlines standard rules changes in consultation response
EA outlines standard rules changes in consultation response
By
Lidia Creech
| 27 August 2020 |
The Environment Agency (EA) has announced that it will be increasing storage limits at waste transfer stations under its new standard rules permits, with details revealed in a consultation response document on Monday (24 August).
The Defra sign
Government to set legally-binding waste targets
By
Lidia Creech
| 20 August 2020 |
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is set to introduce legally-binding targets for waste and other environmental issue areas as part of the government’s Environment Bill.
European Green Deal to include new circular economy plan
UK recycling rate remains far behind Europe’s best recycling nations
By
Lidia Creech
| 19 August 2020 |
The UK’s municipal recycling rate continues to sit well below those of leading European recycling nations such as Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands, according to municipal waste data from Eurostat, although its recycling rate has improved slightly.
Biffa train.
News in Brief – 18/08/2020
By
Lidia Creech
| 18 August 2020 |
A round-up of news from the waste and resources industry, including Biffa, First Mile, J&B Recycling, Recycling Technologies and Fulcrum.
Defra sign outside the departmental building.
Defra outlines plans for monitoring resources policy
By
Lidia Creech
| 12 August 2020 |
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has released two policy papers on monitoring and evaluation of the government’s Resources and Waste Strategy for England.
New study finds ocean plastic could triple by 2040
By
Lidia Creech
| 29 July 2020 |
A new study by think-tanks Pew Charitable Trusts and SYSTEMIQ estimates that plastic pollution in the ocean could triple by 2040.
Bright Green Plastics materials recovery facility (MRF).
Bright Green Plastics invests £750k in sorting technology
By
Lidia Creech
| 21 July 2020 |
Yorkshire-based polymer reprocessor invests in pre-sort capability to accept a wider range of input materials.
The front cover of WRAP's roadmap
WRAP publishes new roadmap for flexible plastic packaging
By
Lidia Creech
| 14 July 2020 |
With only four per cent of soft flexible plastic packaging currently recycled, a new roadmap has been released by WRAP to create a circular economy for these materials.
Cigarette butts on the floor
Government to consider legislating over cigarette butt litter
By
Lidia Creech
| 13 July 2020 |
Environment Minister Rebecca Pow has warned the tobacco industry to “step up” and play its part in tackling cigarette butt litter or the government will consider legislating to force the industry to tackle the issue.