Paper

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

Local authorities in England will lose an estimated £61.4 million per year in net income once the deposit return scheme (DRS) reaches its 90 per cent return rate target, according to analysis by compliance scheme Valpak.  

Cover of WRAP's LA toolkit
Communication resources released for Simpler Recycling rollout

WRAP toolkit published with guidance and editable templates for local authorities implementing reforms

Artists impression of the proposed TVERF facility
Redcar & Cleveland requires overcapacity analysis before agreeing £2.1bn incinerator contract

Council passes motion also requiring carbon liability guarantees before committing to 40-year contract for residual treatment

Separate commercial waste collection
No minimum threshold set for business food waste collections under Simpler Recycling
By
Charles Newman
| 13 December 2024 |
Defra stakeholder briefing sets out universal food waste separation requirement and streamlined approach to written assessments for exemptions to separately collect paper and card
Single use cups ina bin
Government scraps mandatory cup takeback scheme for retailers
By Resource |
6 December 2024 |
Defra cites £52 million cost and limited environmental impact as reasons for policy reversal
Biodegradable cup
Industry network secures £474k to boost bio-based materials regulation
By Resource |
2 December 2024 |
BB-REG-NET to develop new standards and frameworks for sustainable chemical alternatives to fossil-based materials
Bins near parliament
Simpler Recycling revision mandates separate collection of paper and card
By
Charles Newman
| 29 November 2024 |
Defra publishes new guidance with TEEP clause likely to maintain status quo for commingled collection of dry recyclables
Plastic bottle placed in a reverse vending machine
Trade bodies call for deposit scheme pause after Welsh withdrawal
By
Charles Newman
| 22 November 2024 |
NAWDO, LARAC and The Recycling Association urge government to reconsider DRS plans following Wales's exit from UK-wide system
Glas bottles on a conveyor belt in production
Wales to develop separate deposit return scheme to protect recycling progress
By Resource |
18 November 2024 |
Deputy First Minister confirms nation will exit UK-wide DRS process over Internal Market Act constraints
Tesco pasta in new paper packaging
Tesco’s switch to paper pasta packs to save 10M pieces of plastic yearly
By
Beth Jones
| 15 November 2024 |
Retailer set to transition own-brand product range to fully recyclable paper packaging as part of the brand’s 4R recycling strategy.
Mandatory cup takeback scheme will require transformation of recycling infrastructure
By Resource |
12 November 2024 |
Valpak report says waste sector should prepare collection systems for 3.2 billion disposable cups used annually
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
Shotton Mill
Shotton Paper Mill redevelopment sees £1 billion investment
By
Beth Jones
| 26 September 2024 |
North Wales plant to become UK’s largest recycled fibre manufacturing facility
Operatives with empty boxes after loading recyclables onto a collection vehicle
Wales's circular economy success: A model for global sustainability
By
Mal Williams
| 16 September 2024 |
Citizen engagement has played a key role in driving Welsh recycling rates from 3 to 66 per cent in just over two decades
Commingled recycling
Trade associations press Defra over commingled recycling collection
By
Charles Newman
| 9 September 2024 |
CPI, British Glass, and ACE UK warn that Government’s Simpler Recycling proposals will harm circular economy goals
European Union flags outside European Commission building
EC study calls for harmonised waste data reporting
By
Charles Newman
| 13 August 2024 |
National electronic registries and standardised waste composition analyses proposed by JRC
Bins behind a restaurant
Three-quarters of UK small businesses unprepared for Simpler Recycling reform
By
Beth Jones
| 8 August 2024 |
New survey, conducted by First Mile, has found that only 24.5 per cent of small business owners are prepared for new waste regulations
Waste Segregation Officer stood behind close-up of a bin containing flattened cardboard
Avanti West Coast improves station recycling with Waste Segregation Officers
By
Charles Newman
| 23 July 2024 |
New role at four stations saves 494 tonnes of recyclables in first year
Bin operative loading an 1100 litre bin onto back of a refuse collection vehicle in Swindon
UK Recycling and waste treatment sector worth £24bn
By Resource |
8 July 2024 |
New report published by Environmental Services Association provides market overview amidst major policy reforms
Interior of the TriCast lightweight packaging sorting facility, showing conveyor belts and sorting equipment
Europe's largest lightweight packaging sorting plant opens in Austria following €65M investment
By Resource |
3 July 2024 |
New €65 million facility aims to process 50 per cent of Austria's plastic and metal packaging waste
Worker pushing Royal Mail warehouse trolley incorporating new reusable sleeves
Royal Mail reduces waste by 2,000 tonnes a year with reusable trolley sleeves
By Resource |
20 June 2024 |
The company exceeded its waste reduction target by replacing single-use cardboard trolley sleeves with durable, recyclable versions designed and manufactured in-house.
Cardboard takeaway box which has been made with biodegradable coating
Huhtamaki to introduce plastic-free coating for takeaway boxes
By Resource |
19 June 2024 |
Packaging producer signs agreement with 2M Group to incorporate biodegradable coating into corrugated board foodservice containers