Hazardous Wastes

Firefighter extinguishing a fire in the back of a refuse collection vehicle
ESA calls for universal kerbside collection of batteries and electricals

The Environmental Services Association (ESA) has called on the government to implement universal kerbside collection for batteries and small waste electricals, following research showing it could prevent hundreds of waste fires annually.


In an open letter to Defra minister Mary Creagh, a coalition including the ESA, National Association of Waste Disposal Officers, and British Metals Recycling Association urged urgent policy reform to address what they describe as an "epidemic" of... More

Pile of tyres
Environment Agency to review its approach to waste tyre exports

Following the release of the BBC’s File on 4 ‘Tyre Scandal’ and legal campaign from Fighting Dirty, the government body will take three months to investigate UK tyre shipments to India

End-of-life tyres (Paul McIlroy / Used tyres / CC BY-SA 2.0)
BBC Investigation: Millions of end-of-life tyres exported to illegal pyrolysis facilities

The BBC ‘File on 4’ investigation finds UK tyres fuelling toxic pollution in unlicensed processing plants, prompting industry calls for immediate regulation

Arnold's Field fire (Photograph: London Fire Brigade)
Havering Council faces legal action over Arnold’s Field contamination dispute
By
Beth Jones
| 20 March 2025 |
High Court hears judicial review from Clear The Air In Having over council’s refusal to classify illegal landfill site as contaminated, despite threat to local health
The Indaver team with Anssar Khan, Head of strategic projects at Syngenta Huddersfield
Indaver announces plans for solvent recycling facility in Huddersfield
By
Beth Jones
| 19 March 2025 |
The industrial waste recycling plant will aim to recover acetonitrile as part of £750 million investment into UK industry
Granulated black mass from battery recycling piled in the foreground of a industrial recycling facility
EU classifies black mass as hazardous waste in updated list
By Resource |
7 March 2025 |
New requirements for battery-related waste aims to keep critical materials within European economy
Material Recycling Facility
EC’s Clean Industrial Deal paves way for 2026 Circular Economy Act
By
Beth Jones
| 26 February 2025 |
Commission’s plan highlights role of critical material recycling, remanufacturing, and investment in infrastructure as key goals 
Plastic waste in Thailnad
Thailand bans all plastic waste imports
By
Beth Jones
| 8 January 2025 |
Restrictions begin in January 2025, addressing rising imports and waste trafficking as part of plastic waste reduction plan
Environment Agency worker standing over waste filled plot of line
Environment Agency warns landowners of illegal waste dumping threat
By
Beth Jones
| 21 August 2024 |
Survey in 2023 finds that 85 per cent of landowners and farmers affected by some form fly-tipping
Photo of Maersk Campton ©Ray Hensel
Maersk to return suspected toxic waste to Europe
By
Charles Newman
| 20 August 2024 |
Shipping giant agrees to transport 816 tonnes of hazardous material back to Albania
MAERSK container ship in transit
NGOs warn of illegal waste export from Europe to Asia
By
Beth Jones
| 8 August 2024 |
Environmental groups flag the disappearance of container ships bound for Thailand carrying 816 tonnes of toxic furnace dust
waste wood rps 291
EA starts demanding RPS 291 compliance on waste wood
By
Becky Goodall
| 5 March 2024 |
Waste and recycling firms are being urged to check whether they are meeting their legal duties for storing and processing waste wood under RPS 291 as the Environment Agency starts to actively check compliance.
Remanufactured
Light at the end of the tunnel: Remanufactured lighting equipment
By
Josh Templeman
| 4 January 2024 |
Over 29 million pieces of LED, solar and decorative lighting end up in UK landfill sites each year. Is remanufactured lighting ready to provide the solution?
Trade waste
Ward expands trade waste services
By
Resource
| 22 December 2023 |
The metal recycling and waste management firm has expanded its commercial, construction and demolition waste management offering.
UK Battery Strategy
How the UK Battery Strategy will increase recycling of lithium-ion cells
By
Resource
| 22 December 2023 |
Government’s recently published vision to boost the domestic supply chain for lithium-ion batteries by 2030 highlights role of circular economy
Vape ads
Advertising watchdog upholds complaints against Elf Bar's misleading 'green' vape ads
By
Josh Templeman
| 30 November 2023 |
The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) rules manufacturer must remove promotional claims about “recycling for a greener future”  
NHS Waste management framework
NHS launches new waste management framework
By
Josh Templeman
| 2 November 2023 |
The framework is designed to contribute towards the NHS’ efforts in achieving net zero
Zombie Batteries
ESA warns of zombie batteries this Halloween
By
Josh Templeman
| 25 October 2023 |
The association has unveiled a range of graphics to warn consumers of the dangers of improper battery disposal
Carbon capture
Plans approved for new Warrington carbon capture facility
By
Josh Templeman
| 18 October 2023 |
The carbon capture project, Mersey Biochar, will lock away thousands of tonnes of carbon each year into biochar
eWaste World conference alongside Battery and Metal Recycling expos
E-Waste and Recycling Expos 2023: Spearheading Sustainable Innovation
By
Resource
| 21 June 2023 |
As technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, pressing environmental concerns and sustainable practices are increasingly at the heart of industry conversations.
Safe disposal of vapes - campaign poster
"Bincident" warning: Uncertainty over disposal of flammable items raises fire risks
By
Charles Newman
| 21 June 2023 |
ESA launches awareness campaign on back of YouGov poll that highlights public's lack of understanding in how to safely deal with waste vapes, gas canisters, lighter fuel 
Soft furnishing furniture couch sofa armchair
What’s happening with ‘Persistent Organic Pollutants’ (aka POPs)?
By
Savannah Coombe
| 24 May 2023 |
Resource looks at the background of the POPs restrictions and legislation
Tom Dawson Revolution Zero
Making medical textiles circular
By
Tom Dawson
| 21 March 2023 |
Tom Dawson, founder of Revolution Zero, explains the wholesale changes required to develop a circular economy for medical textiles within the NHS.