Legislation

Defra Simpler Recycling
What is Defra’s new ‘Simpler Recycling’?

In an announcement shared with subscribers to Defra’s newsletter, Coffey reassured that the legislation will be ‘outlined shortly’ – despite Sunak scrapping ‘plans for households to have seven recycling bins’.

E-waste
UK to become world’s biggest e-waste contributor by 2024

Several studies have estimated the UK will overtake Norway to become the largest e-waste contributor by the year 2024

fly-tipping
England: Defra publishes local authority fly-tipping stats for 2021/22

Defra has published local authority fly-tipping league tables to improve transparency around the enforcement of waste crimes

Biomass Strategy Energy from Waste plant
Government releases ‘belated’ Biomass Strategy
By Resource |
11 August 2023 |
The Strategy defines the role of biomass in achieving net zero and other government sustainability goals
EPR
Defra shares EPR example file for packaging data
By
Josh Templeman
| 8 August 2023 |
The file reveals how packaging data must be structured by organisations affected by the incoming EPR reforms
Waste reforms
Waste reforms branded ‘unachievable’ by government report
By
Josh Templeman
| 25 July 2023 |
The report claims that issues with the schedule and budget of the waste reforms do not currently appear to be manageable or resolvable
Single-use vapes
Councils call for ban on single-use vapes
By
Savannah Coombe
| 17 July 2023 |
UK councils, NAWDO and the RSPCA are calling for single-use vapes to be banned on environmental and health grounds
Discarded batteries
New EU batteries regulation step towards ‘climate-neutrality’
By
Jack Randall
| 12 July 2023 |
Industry association RECHARGE says it will support policymakers in shaping secondary acts of  legislation, seeking to make batteries more sustainable at every point in the supply chain
Defra sign Nobel House
Defra's 'culture of delay' in spotlight after National Audit Office report
By
Savannah Coombe
| 30 June 2023 |
Damning NAO report highlights Government’s lack of meaningful progress since publishing Resources and Waste Strategy
EU flag black and white
After Brexit: Government to revoke three EU waste laws
By Resource |
16 May 2023 |
The announcement comes as part of a wider revocation of 600 retained EU laws across UK legislation 
Baled plastic bottle waste
Plastic Tax to be reviewed to support chemical recycling
By Resource |
2 May 2023 |
Treasury announces consultation on reforming the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) to encourage investment in new technologies
Sorting residual waste ‘key to meeting EU’s Circular Economy Objectives’
Sorting residual waste ‘key to meeting EU’s Circular Economy Objectives’
By
Resource
| 16 February 2023 |
New report from ZWE and Reloop finds adoption of mixed waste sorting prior to landfill or EfW could reduce EU waste sector emissions by 25 per cent
Scotland deposit return scheme
Calls to delay Scottish DRS rejected
By
Becky Goodall
| 14 February 2023 |
Plans for the launch of a deposit return scheme in Scotland have recently come under fire
Therese Coffey EAC session
Defra excluding textiles from EPR plans ‘extremely disappointing’
By
Savannah Coombe
| 10 February 2023 |
Defra Secretary of State, Thérèse Coffey, says department focus has to be on packaging
Collected plastic cutlery litter
Further bans on single-use plastics expected
By
Savannah Coombe
| 16 December 2022 |
Defra reported to be considering restrictions for plastic plates, cutlery, and polystyrene cups 
Pile of portable batteries
EU to introduce new laws around battery recycling
By
Savannah Coombe
| 12 December 2022 |
The new regulation aims to improve sustainability throughout the life cycle of batteries
Houses of Parliament
Defra legislates on packaging data collection ahead of EPR reforms
By Resource |
24 November 2022 |
The Statutory Instrument laid before Westminster Parliament requires data to be collected by producers from March 2023 latest
Plastic pollution
US seeks allies on global plastic pollution treaty, Reuters reports
By
Savannah Coombe
| 30 September 2022 |
The move follows the formation in August of an alternative coalition featuring other G7 members
Construction and demolition waste
Scottish Government launches consultation on devolved tax
By
Savannah Coombe
| 28 September 2022 |
The plan aims to support circularity in the country’s construction industry
Defra review urges OEP to publish declaration of interests
By
Savannah Coombe
| 12 August 2022 |
The Government has issued 12 recommendations to the body in a three-month review
parliament
CIWM calls on Prime Minister to maintain net-zero commitments
By
Amelia Kelly
| 20 July 2022 |
The organisation signed an open letter urging the Government to take a ‘strategic approach’
Collection of crumpled plastic bottles
Global plastic waste doubled in two decades, OECD report finds
By
Alice Lang
| 22 February 2022 |
The body urges international cooperation in an attempt to curb plastics consumption
GHG emissions associated with waste industry do not count EfW
Defra's GHG emissions indicator for waste industry ‘inadequate for purpose’
By
Resource
| 11 February 2022 |
New report by Dr Dominic Hogg recommends an ‘overhaul’ of the Government’s methodology