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

Disused cobalt mine in Russia
ZWE call for full pricing of resource use in EU Circular Economy Act
By
Charles Newman
| 23 April 2025 |
Environmental NGO urges policymakers to introduce resource taxes and personal carbon allowances ahead of planned EC consultation
Internal shot of empty industrial facility that is the basis for the battery plant in Plymouth, now under construction,
Altilium begins construction of UK's first at-scale EV battery recycling and refining plant
By
Charles Newman
| 17 April 2025 |
The clean technology group's Plymouth facility will process materials from 24,000 electric vehicles annually
7 Steel launches UK recycling operations following acquisition of Celsa Steel
By
Beth Jones
| 16 April 2025 |
Sev.en Global Investments acquires Celsa Steel UK operations, aiming to produce two million tonnes of steel annually using recycled materials
End of life cars stacked up in front of bales of metal
Trade bodies call for stronger recycled content targets in EU vehicle legislation
By
Charles Newman
| 15 April 2025 |
EuRIC and FEAD call for transparency and full-cost recovery in forthcoming End-of-Life Vehicle Regulations following auto manufacturers' €458 million cartel fine
Global Deposit Dashboard, Reloop
Deposit return schemes reach over 350 million people worldwide
By
Beth Jones
| 10 April 2025 |
Reloop launches Global Deposit Dashboard tracking global legislation, as the UK prepares for nationwide implementation by 2027
kerbside recycling
WRAP publishes new carbon metric
By
Beth Jones
| 10 April 2025 |
CarbonWARM tool expands coverage to incorporate new waste streams, including WEEE, batteries, sanitary waste, and incinerator bottom ash
Aluminium cans
Alupro and LARAC partner to boost aluminium recycling rates
By
Beth Jones
| 2 April 2025 |
The collaboration aims to enhance council recycling programs and improve household participation rates
Recycling operative standing in front of waste collection vehicle holding two collection sacks, one labelled 'Paper and Card'
eTEEP tool to help councils comply with Simpler Recycling regulations
By Resource |
1 April 2025 |
WRAP launches web-service to evaluate whether local authorities can continue collecting paper and card recycling with other materials.
Image depicting workplace recycling in the UK
New workplace recycling rules come into force across England
By Resource |
31 March 2025 |
Businesses with 10 or more employees must now separate recyclables and food waste under Simpler Recycling legislation
Bins next to UK Parliament
England’s household recycling rate rises to 44 per cent
By
Beth Jones
| 27 March 2025 |
Latest figures for 2023/24 reverses recent decline, but still remains below pre-pandemic levels
Loading scrap metal into electric arc furnace
EU proposes export restrictions as 19M tonnes of metal scrap leave Europe annually
By
Beth Jones
| 21 March 2025 |
The European Steel and Metals Action Plan aims to increase demand for recycled metals while preventing valuable resources from flowing to third countries
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
CEO tour of S. Norton Manchester Shredder
Lindemann metal shredder boosts recycling capacity in S. Norton Group facility
By
Beth Jones
| 4 March 2025 |
£20 million investment into shredding technology showcased in industry tour, reducing energy consumption and increasing processing capacities for waste metals
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 
Novelis team in front of aluminium ingot made using hydrogen fuelled power
Novelis achieves 90 per cent emissions reduction using hydrogen in aluminium recycling
By
Charles Newman
| 21 February 2025 |
UK government-backed trial demonstrates potential for hydrogen to decarbonise energy-intensive reprocessing
Takeaway packaging
Workplace recycling significantly below at-home habits
By
Beth Jones
| 18 February 2025 |
Biffa survey shows widespread uncertainty about recyclable materials ahead of mandatory business waste separation rules
Shotton Paper Mill before conversation to Cardboard processing
Mind the gap: Investment in recycling infrastructure needed to fulfil current policies
By
Beth Jones
| 12 February 2025 |
WRAP and Defra analysis highlights gaps in processing capacity across key material streams to meet demand from packaging reforms
Blister packs being deposited in Boots return box
Boots expands blister pack recycling scheme to 800 UK stores
By
Beth Jones
| 12 February 2025 |
Partnership with MYGroup follows successful pilot to allow customers to recycle complex mixed material
Metal waste site
BMRA calls on Government to support transition to electric balers
By
Beth Jones
| 6 February 2025 |
Metal recycling trade association’s ‘Agenda for Change’ also highlights political support needed for industry to transition to net-zero
Lithium Salvage
Lithium-ion battery waste refinery receives £1.7 million investment
By
Beth Jones
| 4 February 2025 |
Lithium Salvage has received further investment to expand battery recycling facility, capable of recovering 98 per cent of shredded battery material