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

Packaging in warehouse
Defra releases second set of indicative fees for packaging EPR
By
Beth Jones
| 1 October 2024 |
Updated guidance based on new Report Packaging Data sees decrease in estimated base fees
Energy-from-Waste facility in London
Councils warn of billion-pound costs from waste incineration emissions scheme
By
Beth Jones
| 18 September 2024 |
Local Government Association calls for 'polluter pays principle' to avoid ETS costs falling on councils
CIWM review finds Resources and Waste Strategy still mostly undelivered
By
Beth Jones
| 14 August 2024 |
Analysis of UK Government’s 2018 strategy shows only 20 per cent of policies enacted and 54 per cent partially in place
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
State opening of Parliament - July 2024
King's Speech omits 'priority for a zero waste economy' leading to calls for clarity
By Resource |
17 July 2024 |
Proposed legislation includes Sustainable Aviation Fuel Bill 
Houses of Parliament
Government publishes Statutory Instrument for Simpler Recycling
By Resource |
16 May 2024 |
Amendment to the Environment Act sets out requirement for separate collection of recyclable material including food waste by 2026
Wet wipes and other litter on a beach
UK sales of plastic wet wipes look set to be banned
By
Bella Zanin
| 23 April 2024 |
Following consultation, Government plans to prohibit difficult to recycle product
EU flag
Single-stream commingling economically and environmentally detrimental, European Commission says
By
Bella Zanin
| 2 April 2024 |
New research reveals separated collection of dry recyclables delivers better outcomes when the whole waste system is considered. 
Empty Conveyor Belt highlighting reduced consumption
Call for Europe to adopt new Materials Framework Directive
By
Charles Newman
| 28 March 2024 |
Eunomia report outlines strategies for the EU to adjust its material and waste management laws that will help meet targets to limit global warming to under 1.5°C
Cardiff University's new multi stream recycling system
Nearly 80% of SMEs in Wales support new Workplace Recycling law
By
Bella Zanin
| 27 March 2024 |
Survey results reveal general support for the new Workplace Recycling regulations, but a lack of understanding regarding how to prepare for them.
Recyclables at a materials recycling facility are going to be subject to new sampling rules from October 2024
Guidance for MRF sampling requirements permits use of AI technology
By
Charles Newman
| 22 March 2024 |
Defra sets out the scope for materials facility operators to develop a methodology that meets the forthcoming Environmental Permitting Regulations 
Collection of disposable vapes
Draft legislation on the ban of disposable vapes published
By
Bella Zanin
| 12 March 2024 |
New regulations, intended to crack down on youth vaping, mean individuals supplying single-use vapes could be hit with £200 fine.
2024 Budget Landfill Tax
Treasury announces landfill tax to increase 21.6 per cent for 2025/26
By
Becky Goodall
| 6 March 2024 |
Spring budget includes a rise of over 20 per cent in both main and lower-rate of landfill charges, raising an additional £50 million for the public purse each year.
waste wood rps 291
EA starts demanding RPS 291 compliance on waste wood
By
Becky Goodall
| 5 March 2024 |
Waste and recycling firms are being urged to check whether they are meeting their legal duties for storing and processing waste wood under RPS 291 as the Environment Agency starts to actively check compliance.
Consultation to reform WEEE compliance
By
Charles Newman
| 2 January 2024 |
Government plans secondary legislation to ensure parity for online retailers, with a particular focus on improving management of small WEEE and disposable vapes
Bins on South Bank of the Thames
Simpler Recycling: Defra announces details for consistently managing England’s household waste
By Resource |
21 October 2023 |
New policy sets out England’s new approach to recycling, which Government says will repeal ‘outdated EU-derived collection rules and reduce pressure on the environment’
EPR
Defra shares EPR example file for packaging data
By
Josh Templeman
| 8 August 2023 |
The file reveals how packaging data must be structured by organisations affected by the incoming EPR reforms
Discarded batteries
New EU batteries regulation step towards ‘climate-neutrality’
By
Jack Randall
| 12 July 2023 |
Industry association RECHARGE says it will support policymakers in shaping secondary acts of  legislation, seeking to make batteries more sustainable at every point in the supply chain
Image of commercial premises recycling, highlighting Welsh Government decision to postpone rules on separate recycling of business waste
Wales defers business recycling reforms until 2024
By
Charles Newman
| 3 May 2023 |
Decision follows consultation feedback from stakeholders operating non-domestic premises