Legislation

Government minister calls for separate food waste collections
Government minister calls for separate food waste collections

A government minister has stated that the upcoming Resources and Waste Strategy will “require separate food waste collections” in order to reduce carbon emissions and act as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion (AD).


Speaking at the ADBA (Anaerobic Digestion & Bioresources Association) National Conference 2018 on Tuesday morning (11 December), Investment Minister Graham Stuart MP said: “We want food waste to be collected separately for use in AD plants – to make the green biogas... More

SEPA plans to make Scotland’s metal sector go circular
SEPA plans to make Scotland’s metal sector go circular

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has devised a new sector plan to make Scotland’s metal sector part of the nation’s emerging circular economy.

SEPA releases landfill sector plan
SEPA releases landfill sector plan

The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) has launched a new sector plan for Scotland’s landfill waste sector in a bid to drive environmental compliance at sites, harness innovation and help the sector responsibly manage site closures and aftercare.

Bioeconomy Strategy aims to make UK world-leader by 2030
Bioeconomy Strategy aims to make UK world-leader by 2030
By
Rob Cole
| 7 December 2018 |
The UK Government has released its Bioeconomy Strategy, which outlines how the UK can build a world-class bioeconomy by 2030 and lead the way in easing the reliance on fossil resources.
European Commission waters down WEEE repair proposals
European Commission waters down WEEE repair proposals
By
Rob Cole
| 7 December 2018 |
The European Commission has been accused of abandoning plans to make it easier to repair popular electrical consumer products under pressure from industry lobby groups, despite public support for better repair opportunities.
Introduce levies on raw materials to boost secondary material markets, says Eunomia
Introduce levies on raw materials to boost secondary material markets, says Eunomia
By Resource |
21 November 2018 |
A new report by Eunomia proposes a system of levies and rebates to cut down on the use of raw materials in manufacturing and incentivise those producers that use more recycled materials.
Government review calls for new fines for mislabelling of waste
Government review calls for new fines for mislabelling of waste
By
Rob Cole
| 16 November 2018 |
The Environment Agency should be given the power to impose new fines on waste operators that deliberately mislabel their waste to avoid tax rules, according to an independent review ordered by Environment Secretary Michael Gove.
Gove raids 400 staff from environment bodies for Defra Brexit preparations
Gove raids 400 staff from environment bodies for Defra Brexit preparations
By
Rob Cole
| 8 November 2018 |
Environment Secretary Michael Gove has been accused of having “raided” 400 staff from state environment bodies in order to plug gaps in Defra’s workforce in preparation for Brexit.
FEAD calls for simplification of EU Waste Shipment Regulation
FEAD calls for simplification of EU Waste Shipment Regulation
By
Rob Cole
| 7 November 2018 |
The European Federation of Waste Management and Environmental Services (FEAD) has called on the European Commission to simplify the Waste Shipment Regulation and harmonise enforcement across EU member states.
EAC criticises ‘woolly’ government commitment on future environmental policy
EAC criticises ‘woolly’ government commitment on future environmental policy
By
Rob Cole
| 6 November 2018 |
The government has been criticised by Parliament’s Environmental Audit Committee for its approach to environmental policy post-Brexit, after it failed to commit to replacing EU legislation that cannot be easily transposed into UK law.
Autumn Statement: Plastics tax to be introduced from April 2022
Autumn Statement: Plastics tax to be introduced from April 2022
By
Rob Cole
| 30 October 2018 |
A tax will be placed on the manufacture and import of plastic packaging containing less than 30 per cent recycled plastic, the Treasury’s Autumn Statement has revealed, though a coffee cup levy will not be introduced.
UK incinerators released 11m tonnes of CO2 in 2017, says UKWIN
UK incinerators released 11m tonnes of CO2 in 2017, says UKWIN
By
Rob Cole
| 26 October 2018 |
Around five million tonnes of fossil-based CO2 was emitted from the UK’s waste incinerators in 2017 from the burning of fossil-based materials such as plastics, according to a new report by the UK Without Incineration Network.
European countries at risk of missing 2020 recycling target
European countries at risk of missing 2020 recycling target
By
Kate Nicholson
| 25 October 2018 |
Fourteen member states at risk of missing the EU’s 2020 recycling targets have been provided with action plans by Eunomia to get back on track.
Defra still short of 1,400 staff ahead of EU withdrawal deadline
Defra still short of 1,400 staff ahead of EU withdrawal deadline
By
Rob Cole
| 17 October 2018 |
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is still short of 1,400 staff as the Brexit deadline of March 2019 approaches, having already recruited 1,300 new employees since April 2018.
Record fines handed out for waste crime, says EA report
Record fines handed out for waste crime, says EA report
By
Rob Cole
| 16 October 2018 |
A new report from the Environment Agency shows that 93 per cent of the businesses it regulated in 2017/18 showed good compliance with their environmental permits, while non-compliant businesses faced record fines.
Car battery recycling: Staying in charge
Car battery recycling: Staying in charge
By
Giles Kirkland
| 14 September 2018 |
Giles Kirkland examines what the changing automotive industry means for car battery recycling in the UK.
SUEZ outlines key principles for effective UK EPR regime
SUEZ outlines key principles for effective UK EPR regime
By
Rob Cole
| 14 September 2018 |
Waste management company SUEZ recycling and recovery UK has released a report detailing 10 fundamental principles for an effective extended producer responsibility regime for the UK.
Norwegian proposal to place trade controls on waste plastics gains support
Norwegian proposal to place trade controls on waste plastics gains support
By
Rob Cole
| 7 September 2018 |
A Norwegian proposal to add plastic waste to the list of wastes subject to controls under the Basel Convention has gained increasing support following the 11th Meeting of the Open-Ended Working Group of the Basel Convention.
Scotland to ban the burning of waste plastic from farms
Scotland to ban the burning of waste plastic from farms
By
Kate Dickinson
| 31 August 2018 |
Burning farm plastics will be illegal in Scotland from 2019 after the Scottish Environmental Protection Agency (SEPA) vowed to end exemptions enabling the practice.
Plastic bag charge could increase to 10 pence
Plastic bag charge could increase to 10 pence
By
Rob Cole
| 31 August 2018 |
Prime Minister Theresa May has announced that the government will consider making the plastic bag charge mandatory for all businesses and raising it to 10 pence.
ZWS announces next public engagement events on deposit return
ZWS announces next public engagement events on deposit return
By
Kate Nicholson
| 28 August 2018 |
Zero Waste Scotland announced a new set of dates and venues last week for the public to voice their opinions on a national deposit scheme for bottles and cans.
ESA report calls for ‘smarter’ recycling measures
ESA report calls for ‘smarter’ recycling measures
By
Rob Cole
| 22 August 2018 |
The Environmental Services Association has called for ‘smarter’ measures of recycling progress to replace the current weight-based metrics in a new report released on Monday (20 August).
Unprecedented public support for tax on plastics following Treasury consultation
Unprecedented public support for plastics tax after Treasury consultation
By
Rob Cole
| 20 August 2018 |
HM Treasury has revealed that its call for evidence on how the tax system could be used to reduce plastic waste has received overwhelming public support from individuals, businesses and campaign groups alike.