Plastic

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.  

aerial image of an AD plant
Environment Agency replaces quality protocols with resource frameworks

New guidance for compost, digestate and biomethane tightens plastics limits and removes market restrictions

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

Island of Krk, Croatia
European cities become ‘part of the solution’ in waste prevention
By
Beth Jones
| 30 April 2025 |
Zero Waste Europe report highlights growing adoption of zero waste strategies, with over 86 municipalities focusing on prevention, reuse and repair initiatives over recycling
WasteAid, The Gambia
WasteAid secures £237K for African waste management programmes
By
Beth Jones
| 29 April 2025 |
UK charity partners with Veralto to improve conditions for informal waste collections and reduce plastic pollution in The Gambia and South Africa
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
Two people sorting usable food at a foodbank in Hackney
North London community fund awards £168,111 to waste prevention projects
By Resource |
25 April 2025 |
20 organisations receive grants to tackle waste streams through grassroots initiatives across seven boroughs
Aeriel shot of an energy-from-waste facility in London
Councils expect meeting ETS tax on incineration will hit services
By
Charles Newman
| 25 April 2025 |
LGA survey finds majority of local authorities anticipate reduction in other waste services once obligations to meet cost of UK Emissions Trading Scheme start in 2028 
Man using smartphone app to use AI detection to claim a deposit on a returned paper coffee cup
AI app rewards paper cup recycling in Cardiff trial
By Resource |
22 April 2025 |
National Cup Recycling Scheme trial rewards consumers for returning cups using vision-based artificial intelligence
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
Enviroo and Clearpoint Recycling teams
Ellesmere Port recycling plant secures plastics supply partner
By
Beth Jones
| 15 April 2025 |
The facility, set to open in 2027, will receive 30,000 tonnes of recyclable PET from Clearpoint Recycling to be turned into bottles
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
Matoha FabriTell technology
AI-powered technology for identifying textile waste secures further investment
By
Beth Jones
| 10 April 2025 |
WRAP-backed Circular Plastics Accelerator among investors in infrared scanner using machine learning algorithms to improve sorting of different fabrics
Plastic pellets
EAC launches inquiry into impact of ‘forever chemicals’
By
Beth Jones
| 10 April 2025 |
The investigation will examine risks to humans and environment from Perfluoroalkyl and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) found in everyday products
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
Protos plastic recycling facility prototype (Enviroo)
PET recycling plant to begin construction in Ellesmere Port
By
Beth Jones
| 2 April 2025 |
Reichmuth Infrastructure investment in facility to reprocess wash and extrusion to produce new bottle packaging
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
Defra Secretary of State Steve Reed
Steve Reed announces plans to end UK ‘throwaway society’
By
Beth Jones
| 27 March 2025 |
Circular Economy Taskforce to prioritise textiles, transport, construction, agri-food and chemicals and plastics sectors
Rescue me - recycle campaign
Recycle Week 2024: 2.9 million people changed their recycling habits
By
Beth Jones
| 26 March 2025 |
WRAP’s ‘Rescue Me - Recycle’ campaign reached 7.3 million people and increased the capture rate of commonly binned recyclables
Plastic recycling conveyor belt
Europe’s plastic recycling industry is ‘at a breaking point’
By
Beth Jones
| 20 March 2025 |
Plastics Recyclers Europe warns of plant closures and falling domestic production as imports rise and economic pressures mount
Ben Hardman, Founder of Tiny Eco
Coca-Cola's ‘masterclass in greenwashing’ shows corporates can’t be relied on
By
Ben Hardman, Founder of Tiny Eco
| 18 March 2025 |
Ben Hardman, Founder of Tiny Eco, examines ‘world’s biggest plastic polluter’s’ retreat from its sustainability targets, highlighting plastic waste impact and failed commitments