Government

WISH Covid-19 guidance
UK Central Government
WISH finalises Covid-19 waste safety guidance

The Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) Forum has published its finalised guidance on reducing the risk of Covid-19 in the waste management sector.


Released yesterday (2 April), the document covers a range of waste management contexts, including vehicles and collections operations, materials recycling facilities (MRFs), Household Waste... More

Landfill site.
UK Central Government
HMRC announces ‘operational flexibility’ for Landfill Tax calculation

HMRC has announced a degree of ‘operational flexibility’ for landfill site operators for Landfill Tax operators in light of the Covid-19 outbreak as rate increases to £94.15 per tonne for 2020/21.

Burning plastic waste in Tanzania.
Rest of World
Drinks companies pumping plastics into developing countries, says report

Four consumer brands are responsible for half a million tonnes of plastic pollution each year in just six developing countries, according to a new report by charity Tearfund.

Food waste being scraped into the bin.
Four ways to reduce food waste during coronavirus lockdown
By
Olivia Rutherford
| 2 April 2020 |
With UK households being encouraged to stay at home and limit trips to the supermarket, it is more important than ever to make food last for longer. Resource has compiled some tips to create less household food waste during the Covid-19 outbreak and create positive habits for the future.
Recycling box.
Survey launched to establish impact of Covid-19 on waste services
By
Rob Cole
| 31 March 2020 |
The Association of Directors of Environment, Economy, Planning and Transport (ADEPT) has launched an online survey for local authorities across England to establish the impact of the Covid-19 outbreak on waste and recycling services.
Coronavirus.
WISH releases draft coronavirus safety advice for waste industry
By
Rob Cole
| 30 March 2020 |
The Waste Industry Safety and Health Forum (WISH) has published draft guidance on reducing the risks of Covid-19 transmission in a variety of waste management contexts.
Waste workers in Gwynedd.
Concerns raised over safety of waste operatives
By
Rob Cole
| 27 March 2020 |
With waste workers deemed ‘key workers’ and essential to keeping public services running, leading industry associations have raised concerns over how to keep waste operatives safe during the coronavirus outbreak.
Cardboard packaging.
Recycling Association calls for assurances over continuity of recycling collections
By
Rob Cole
| 26 March 2020 |
The Recycling Association has asked Defra to ensure that household recycling collections are maintained to maintain sufficient availability of material for food and medical supply packaging.
UK waste and recycling companies issue joint coronavirus statement
UK waste and recycling companies issue joint coronavirus statement
By
Rob Cole
| 25 March 2020 |
The UK waste sector has issued a joint statement to the public urging residents to follow government advice on managing their household rubbish to minimise the spread of coronavirus to waste workers and warning of emergency service changes.
Biffa refuse collection vehicle.
Waste companies draw up coronavirus contingency plans
By
Rob Cole
| 25 March 2020 |
UK waste management companies are working up contingency plans to ensure that they are able to continue to provide waste services and keep their operatives safe during the coronavirus outbreak.
Apartment blocks in Tower Hamlets.
Tower Hamlets bin strike off as deal reached over holiday pay
By
Rob Cole
| 24 March 2020 |
Veolia and the trade union Unite have reached a settlement over unpaid holiday pay to refuse workers in Tower Hamlets to ensure streets are clean during the coronavirus crisis.
Biffa waste collection vehicle.
ESA welcomes government suspension of MOT testing for HGVs
By
Rob Cole
| 23 March 2020 |
The Environmental Services Association (ESA) has welcomed the government’s “pragmatic” decision to suspend MOT testing for Heavy Goods Vehicles (HGVs), including refuse collection vehicles, for three months during the coronavirus outbreak.
Man picking up kerbside residual bags.
Waste industry ‘essential’ to UK during coronavirus outbreak, says ESA
By
Rob Cole
| 19 March 2020 |
Waste sector workers should be designated as “key workers” so that they can gain access to childcare and continue to perform vital waste service roles during the coronavirus outbreak, says the Environmental Services Association.
Bins on the street
Derby to reduce waste and recycling collections due to coronavirus
By
Rob Cole
| 19 March 2020 |
Derby City Council has announced that it will be suspending its garden and food waste collections in light of the coronavirus outbreak, with general waste and dry recycling collections expected to be disrupted in the ‘coming weeks and months’.
A reverse vending machine
Scotland delays DRS over coronavirus fears
By
Imogen Benson
| 18 March 2020 |
The Scottish Government has delayed its deposit return scheme (DRS) until July 2022 amid concerns over the Covid-19 pandemic.
Bins on the road
Waste services could be stripped back due to coronavirus, says LARAC chief
By
Rob Cole
| 18 March 2020 |
Local authority waste services would likely be stripped back in the event of mass illness amongst waste collection staff caused by coronavirus, but services are well prepared for eventual disruption, says Lee Marshall, CEO of LARAC.
Robbie Staniforth, Head of Policy at Ecosurety
How will Covid-19 affect producer responsibility in 2020?
By
Robbie Staniforth
| 18 March 2020 |
As the coronavirus outbreak causes huge disruption, Robbie Staniforth, Head of Policy at Ecosurety, explores what this might mean for producer responsibility requirements in the coming year.
Apples on a food farm
WRAP expands Food Waste Reduction Roadmap to farm waste
By
Imogen Benson
| 17 March 2020 |
The Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP) has expanded the scope of its Food Waste Reduction Roadmap to provide growers with advice on food surplus and waste on farms. 
An image of green glass bottles
European container glass industry to reduce emissions with green furnace
By
Imogen Benson
| 16 March 2020 |
European container glass federation FEVE has announced an industry-wide project to build the first large-scale hybrid electric furnace that will run on 80 per cent renewable energy.
A pile of e-waste
EAC re-launches inquiry into e-waste and the circular economy
By
Imogen Benson
| 13 March 2020 |
The Environmental Audit Committee (EAC) has re-launched its inquiry into waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) and the circular economy.
An image of the HM Treasury building
Industry welcomes ‘game-changing’ plastics tax
By
Imogen Benson
| 12 March 2020 |
The waste sector has largely welcomed the government’s Budget 2020, though stakeholders have called for further clarity on the forthcoming Plastics Packaging Tax.
Chancellor Rishi Sunak announcing the Budget in the House of Commons
Budget 2020: Plastics tax set at £200 per tonne
By
Rob Cole
| 11 March 2020 |
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has confirmed today (11 March) that a new Plastic Packaging Tax will be introduced from April 2022 to encourage producers to increase their use of recycled material.
A screenshot from the EU's Circular Economy Action Plan document
EU unveils Circular Economy Action Plan
By
Imogen Benson
| 11 March 2020 |
The European Commission has today (11 March) published its new Circular Economy Action Plan, outlining measures to ensure that products are designed to last longer and are easier to reuse, repair and recycle.