Metal

Andrew Gomarsall MBE
Dealing with our Critical Raw Materials dependency – A Strategic Moment for UK and Europe

The UK and Europe are at a strategic turning point. The more we continue to rely on external suppliers who can weaponise supply or inflate prices, the more fragile our industries will become.

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

Valpak analysis, commissioned by the LGA, estimates significant financial impact once 90 per cent return rate achieved

Mechanic repairing a bike
Bicycle reuse programmes report threefold return on investment

FCC Environment analysis finds bike repair schemes generate returns across the triple bottom line

Cover of WRAP's LA toolkit
Communication resources released for Simpler Recycling rollout
By Resource |
16 October 2025 |
WRAP toolkit published with guidance and editable templates for local authorities implementing reforms
Whole used tyres for recycling
TRA warns domestic tyre processors could follow plastics industry into crisis
By Resource |
8 September 2025 |
Industry body warns of similar fate to plastics sector amid market pressures and regulatory failures
Female student putting a plastic bottle into a deposit return machine
Scottish college launches reverse vending machine trial offering 20p per bottle
By
Olivia Loughran
| 3 September 2025 |
Four-week pilot at New College Lanarkshire tests financial incentives ahead of 2027 Deposit Return Scheme
Recyclables being emptied out back of waste vehicle
Quarter of councils plan recycling service change with gate fees expected to rise
By
Charles Newman
| 28 August 2025 |
WRAP's latest annual report of treatment costs finds many councils have delayed decisions until government policies on Simpler Recycling and EPR are implemented. 
Aerial view of scrap metal loaded onto a ship
Steel export restrictions pose risk to UK metals recycling industry
By
Charles Newman
| 26 August 2025 |
BMRA commissioned research by Sheffield Hallam University finding that quotas or bans could cost sector billions in lost value and jeopardise thousands of jobs
Huw Irranca-Davies holding a glass bottle
Wales launches reuse-focused deposit return scheme consultation
By
Charles Newman
| 19 August 2025 |
Stakeholders asked for views on proposed reuse targets for 2031-2040 and phased glass inclusion with zero deposit transition approach
Blast Furnace
Birmingham University partnership to improve carbon-recycling technology
By
Olivia Loughran
| 16 July 2025 |
The partnerships aims to scale up production to support closed-loop carbon technology
Reverse vending machine for deposit return
Wales brings forward deposit return scheme to 2027
By Resource |
11 July 2025 |
Government announces alignment with UK timetable whilst maintaining glass and reuse provisions
Computer screen displays Deepnest performance insights
Greyparrot launches AI platform connecting brands with waste data
By
Maisie Stephens
| 24 June 2025 |
New Deepnest platform provides real-time packaging performance insights to bridge information gap between producers and recyclers
Map of Europe showing steel recycling rates in different countries
European steel packaging recycling rate hits 82 per cent
By
Maisie Stephens
| 13 June 2025 |
Latest figures reinforce steel’s position as the most recyclable packaging material
Andrew Gomarsall MBE, Executive Director of n2s and founding partner of Bioscope Technologies
Unlocking UK resilience through material recovery
By
Andrew Gomarsall MBE, Executive Director of n2s and founding partner of Bioscope Technologies
| 12 June 2025 |
Andrew Gomarsall explores strategic investments needed to double UK's circularity rate
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
Claudia Mensi, President of FEAD (the European Waste Management Association)
The Circular Economy Act must be bold! Europe's resilience depends on it
By
Claudia Mensi
| 12 May 2025 |
EU must prioritise circular economy to ensure material security and industrial resilience, writes Claudia Mensi, President of FEAD
Futamura teriyaki sauce sachet
Compostable packaging solution developed for condiment sachets
By
Beth Jones
| 7 May 2025 |
Collaboration creates bio-degradable alternative for hard-to-recycle liquid pouches used for food, sauces, and personal care creams
Reverse vending machine in Iceland, Northern Ireland
Government appoints operator to run DRS schemes
By
Beth Jones
| 6 May 2025 |
Deposit Management Organisation to manage producer registration, container collection and financial systems across England, Scotland and N. Ireland
Mattress recycling
Circular Sleep project aims to improve mattress recycling rates
By
Beth Jones
| 1 May 2025 |
FEAD leads new initiative to target 80 per cent recovery of end-of-life bedding materials through cross-industry collaboration
Wind turbine refurbishment
Circular wind farms offer a path to meeting UK clean energy targets
By
Beth Jones
| 1 May 2025 |
Metal recycler EMR is investing in specialist recycling of wind turbines, as the first wave built to earn Renewables Obligation Certificates (ROCs) start to reach end-of-life
Cardboard packaging with RFID tag
PackUK eases 'red' and 'amber' ratings for Recyclability Assessment Methodology
By
Beth Jones
| 29 April 2025 |
New exemptions for all DRS-covered containers included in RAM update, following simplification sprint with stakeholders
Scene at a Household Waste Recycling Centre where three people look at the camera next to a newly unveiled compartment for recycling used coffee pods
Coffee pod recycling service reaches 200 local authority sites
By Resource |
28 April 2025 |
Three in ten UK households now have access to pod recycling points at waste and recycling centres