Government

Kerbside box with plastic and cans
UK Local Authority
Councils face projected £61m annual loss of income from DRS

Local authorities in England will lose an estimated £61.4 million per year in net income once the deposit return scheme (DRS) reaches its 90 per cent return rate target, according to analysis by compliance scheme Valpak.  

aerial image of an AD plant
UK Central Government
Environment Agency replaces quality protocols with resource frameworks

New guidance for compost, digestate and biomethane tightens plastics limits and removes market restrictions

Cages for fish farming in Scotland
Devolved Governments
Scotland consults on circular economy strategy to 2045

Draft strategy identifies five priority sectors and introduces national monitoring framework

Blue 240l bins on a street
Scotland's Recycling Improvement Fund delivers 4,668 tonnes additional recycling in 2023
By Resource |
1 July 2025 |
Zero Waste Scotland evaluation finds fund projects achieved 61 per cent of annual targets in first year
Energy from Waste Incinerator
Waste incineration under EU ETS could cut CO2 emissions by 32M tonnes
By
Beth Jones
| 25 June 2025 |
ZWE and Reloop back bringing energy-to-waste plants under the 2028 European Emissions Trading System 
Repair Cafe
UK businesses can create up to 470,000 jobs with circular models
By
Beth Jones
| 25 June 2025 |
Green Alliance study highlights that investment in circularity, with proper incentivisation, has potential to raise profits and support employment
Arnold's Field Fire
High Court overturns Havering Council contaminated land decision
By
Beth Jones
| 19 June 2025 |
Ruling holds that the Council’s decision on Arnolds Field relied on incomplete data and misunderstood legal definitions around contamination
Kerbside collection vehicle in Wales
Welsh Government mandates 3-weekly residual collections
By Resource |
19 June 2025 |
Updated Collections Blueprint 2025 requires ultra-low emission vehicles and enhanced kerbside separation, as new plan maps path to achieve 70 per cent recycling target
Food and drink packaging
European trade associations publish guidance for food grade plastic compliance
By
Beth Jones
| 18 June 2025 |
Joint initiative aims to support waste operators in getting certification and meeting EU requirements for recycled PET food contact materials
Close-up of a person repairing a motherboard
Environment APPG calls for consumer ‘right to repair’
By
Maisie Stephens
| 17 June 2025 |
Parliamentary group’s first report appeals for ‘immediate action’ to support a Circular Economy Strategy
Sofie Schop, Executive Director of WRAP EU; Stéphane Leroux, Executive Director, IFWC; Klaus Berend Director for Food Safety, Sustainability and Innovation, European Commission’s Directorate-General for Health and Food Safety (DG SANTE); Catherine David CEO WRAP and David Rogers, Director of International Development WRAP.
WRAP EU convenes Brussels talks on textiles EPR implementation
By
Beth Jones
| 12 June 2025 |
NGO’s European arm holds event with EU officials to encourage circular economy policies focussed on fashion sustainability and food waste reduction
Rachel Reeves addressing Parliament
Spending Review sidelines waste resources sector as Defra faces major budget cuts
By Resource |
11 June 2025 |
Government allocates no specific funding for circular economy initiatives despite local authority reform pressures
Large heap of potatoes in a farm field
Government announces £13.6m for surplus farm food redistribution
By Resource |
10 June 2025 |
Grants to 12 food charities will redistribute 19,000 tonnes of surplus produce
Landfill site
ESA outlines vision for UK circular economy by 2040
By
Beth Jones
| 5 June 2025 |
Trade body representing waste management companies presents a five-pronged framework to reduce waste, maximise recyclability, increase participation, improve infrastructure, and prevent crime
Biomonitoring study conducted in river
Biomonitoring: Tracking the health risks of incineration
By
Beth Jones
| 4 June 2025 |
New approach monitors local environment for adverse impacts
Mike Jones, Head of Innovation & Global General Manager of Intelligent Solutions at Mainetti
Sustainability regulations and the packaging industry
By
Mike Jones, Head of Innovation & Global General Manager of Intelligent Solutions at Mainetti
| 4 June 2025 |
Mike Jones offers his perspective on how evolving EU regulations are shaping the packaging industry’s future
Blue bin filled with waste clothing
Expanded EU textile policies could cut 5.4 million tonnes CO2 annually
By
Beth Jones
| 4 June 2025 |
Report assesses fiscal incentives, collection improvements, and information policies to address the rising amounts of clothing waste
Plastic bottle placed in a reverse vending machine
Deposit Return Schemes halve drinks container litter
By
Beth Jones
| 3 June 2025 |
Analysis of 80 systems around the world finds correlation between schemes and litter reduction
Excavation digger manages construction waste
Scotland to pioneer circular construction hub model targeting £67 million investment
By
Charles Newman
| 2 June 2025 |
Zero Waste Scotland part of European pilot project to develop marketplace for reused building materials
Pink vape discarded on a beach
Single-use vape ban takes effect across UK from 1 June
By Resource |
30 May 2025 |
Trading Standards enforcement begins, to tackle the five million devices discarded weekly creating £200 million waste burden
Environment Agency waste crime map
EA publishes heatmap of waste crime hotspots
By
Beth Jones
| 28 May 2025 |
Environment Agency data shows nearly 17,000 incidents across the country, with West Midlands, Yorkshire and East Anglia recording highest levels
Workers disposing of vapes
Retailer take-back schemes must expand for post-ban vapes
By
Beth Jones
| 27 May 2025 |
Material Focus warns that big puff and pod models could undermine June legislation benefits without sufficient steps to improve current recycling systems
Pile of discarded, used textiles in bin
WRAP warns of looming collapse in UK used textiles sector
By
Beth Jones
| 21 May 2025 |
Environmental NGO warns that unsustainable losses could place a £64 million burden on local authorities, charities, and consumers if struggling industry fails