Legislation

Reverse vending machine in Iceland, Northern Ireland
Government appoints operator to run DRS schemes

Global Deposit Dashboard, Reloop
Deposit return schemes reach over 350 million people worldwide

Reloop launches Global Deposit Dashboard tracking global legislation, as the UK prepares for nationwide implementation by 2027

Matthew Ekholm, Digital Product Passport and Circularity Specialist at Protokol
The EU’s eco-legislation and navigating greenwashing accusations as a sustainable business

Matthew Ekholm, Digital Product Passport and Circularity Specialist at Protokol, explains how EU legislation helps businesses demonstrate sustainability credentials

A box full of recovered vegetables and fruits from hypermarket waste
Waste intensity falling in EU, but member states advised to tighten regulation
By
Beth Jones
| 3 April 2025 |
The European Environment Agency report finds many countries overly reliant on voluntary measures and failing to utilise regulatory instruments to prevent rising waste volumes
Simon Stringer, Managing Director of Scotpak
Small or large producers?
By
Simon Stringer, Managing Director of Scotpak
| 11 March 2025 |
Simon Stringer, Managing Director of Scotpak, offers alternative reporting model for small retailers that face administrative challenges under pEPR
Reverse vending machine on Strathclyde campus
Reverse vending machines tested at University of Strathclyde
By
Beth Jones
| 6 March 2025 |
Study by Keep Scotland Beautiful suggests more pilot studies are needed to determine effective incentives for RVMs in preparation for DRS regulation
Energy-from-Waste facility
CIWM urges practical ETS cost allocation system for waste sector
By
Beth Jones
| 4 March 2025 |
New report warns that energy from waste costs could disincentivise carbon reduction plans, noting an estimated £660 million increase for local authorities
Graeme Milne, Chief Executive of REPIC
Balancing Act: Opinion on UK waste electricals response
By
Graeme Milne, Chief Executive of REPIC
| 4 March 2025 |
Graeme Milne, Chief Executive of REPIC, shares views on Defra’s Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment consultation response
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 
Two workers looking at clipboard
Digital waste tracking delayed until April 2026
By
Beth Jones
| 6 February 2025 |
UK Government pushes back mandatory digital waste reporting system for all four nations, following industry feedback about implementation challenges
Collection of disposable vapes
Disposable vapes banned in England from next year
By
Beth Jones
| 24 October 2024 |
Defra announces ban on sale and supply of disposable vapes from June 2025 in a bid to ‘end this nation’s throwaway culture’
Dimitra Rappou, Executive Director of Sustainable Products at the Confederation of Paper Industries
Unlocking the Circular Economy: Why Quality Recycling Must Take Priority
By
Dimitra Rappou
| 11 October 2024 |
Dimitra Rappou, CPI's Executive Director of Sustainable Products calls for focus on recyclate quality in Simpler Recycling proposals
Woman placing a glass bottle in a deposit return scheme reverse vending machine
Defra Minister confirms glass will be excluded from DRS despite concerns
By
Charles Newman
| 11 October 2024 |
Mary Creagh's decision maintains previous Conservative Government policy, which campaigners argue ignores environmental and recycling quality issues
Bulldozer managing waste on the slope of an inert landfill
Welsh Government consults on raising lower-rate of landfill tax
By
Charles Newman
| 12 August 2024 |
Current of £3.30 per tonne not incentivising alternatives to disposing on inert waste
Baled textiles in a warehouse
How should we align EPR for textiles between countries?
By
Charles Newman
| 10 July 2024 |
A new report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation explores the challenges and opportunities of aligning Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) systems for textiles across borders.
Houses of Parliament
Government publishes Statutory Instrument for Simpler Recycling
By Resource |
16 May 2024 |
Amendment to the Environment Act sets out requirement for separate collection of recyclable material including food waste by 2026
Packaging
Defra publishes draft of packaging EPR regulations
By
Charles Newman
| 1 May 2024 |
Revision of statutory instrument has been sent to EU and WTO, paving the way for legislation to go before UK Parliament later this year
Pile of waste tyres
Current tyre waste policies enabling ‘serious environmental harm’
By
Bella Zanin
| 9 April 2024 |
Tyre Recovery Association warns UK will be ‘environmental sick man of Europe’ if Government doesn’t act soon to update waste regulations. 
Waste incineration plant in Cardiff, Wales
Defra hits pause button on permits for new Energy from Waste development
By Resource |
8 April 2024 |
Around 5.2 million tonnes of incineration capacity put on hold while Government considers ‘over-provision’ of waste incineration in England.
EU flag
Single-stream commingling economically and environmentally detrimental, European Commission says
By
Bella Zanin
| 2 April 2024 |
New research reveals separated collection of dry recyclables delivers better outcomes when the whole waste system is considered. 
Collection of disposable vapes
Draft legislation on the ban of disposable vapes published
By
Bella Zanin
| 12 March 2024 |
New regulations, intended to crack down on youth vaping, mean individuals supplying single-use vapes could be hit with £200 fine.
Pile of catalytic converters, often targeted in metal theft
Home Office “completely disengaged” with metal theft problem, BMRA says
By
Bella Zanin
| 12 March 2024 |
Trade group declares poor enforcement of regulations is enabling metal theft, in the wake of new evidence showing that the crime costs the UK £500 million each year.
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.