Industry Legislation

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

Graham Horn / Cottage Lane flytipping / CC BY-SA 2.0
Defra opens consultation on waste permit reforms
By
Beth Jones
| 8 April 2025 |
UK and Welsh Governments launch joint review to close loopholes exploited by illegal waste fraud, following Corry Review
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
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
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
Pile of waste tyres
Tyre recyclers calls for immediate end of T8 exemptions
By
Beth Jones
| 4 March 2025 |
TRA criticises government inaction on delayed waste regulations, despite Scotland already removing the contentious loopholes in 2018
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
Worker in packaging warehouse
Four nations jointly issue requirements for PackUK’s implementation strategy
By
Beth Jones
| 27 February 2025 |
Joint policy statement details check list of scheme administrator duties, with June 2025 deadlines set for key governance documents
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 
Person typing on laptop
ISO 59040:2025 enables businesses to share circular economy data across supply chain
By
Beth Jones
| 25 February 2025 |
New standard introduces standardised product circularity data sheets to facilitate information exchange
Bulldozer on slope of an inert landfill
Government outlines next steps for landfill waste reduction
By
Beth Jones
| 13 February 2025 |
Results of Defra consultation show industry backing for coordinated approach to reduce biodegradable waste in landfill, with focus on developing treatment infrastructure
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
WRAP's Business of Recycling website
WRAP launches specialist site to help businesses meet Simpler Recycling rules
By
Beth Jones
| 5 February 2025 |
‘Business of Recycling’ provides tailored guidance, downloadable assets, and a waste calculator for different sectors to help meet regulations coming into force from April
Asda employee holding Podback bags
Coffee pod recycling scheme expands into 600 Asda stores
By
Beth Jones
| 23 January 2025 |
Partnership between retailer and Podback will allow customers to return used pods through toYou parcel returns service
Plastic bottles in production
Plastics industry calls for stricter European rules on imports
By
Beth Jones
| 19 December 2024 |
Producers are urging EU policymakers to support domestic market for recycling as Europe’s share of global production falls
Ocean pollution
Six takeaways from the INC-5 summit on plastic pollution
By
Beth Jones
| 5 December 2024 |
Derailed by opposition from oil-producing nations, the majority of countries in support of an ambitious treaty will look towards further negotiations in 2025
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
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