Government

Plant-based biodegradable materials used to substitute for single-use plastic
Legislation
Inconsistent plastic definitions across UK regs create barriers for bio-materials

Inconsistent definitions of plastic across UK regulations are creating uncertainty for bio-based and biodegradable material manufacturers, according to a report published today by BB-REG-NET, a regulatory network for bio-based materials.

Person preparing food with scraps put in a food waste caddy
Devolved Governments
Household food waste a major contributor to biodiversity loss

New research published by Zero Waste Scotland shows environmental impact extends beyond climate to habitat destruction

Hands holding a bit of green plastic film
UK Central Government
UK tax policies undermine bio-based plastics despite circular economy goals

Research finds bio-based alternatives face £520 per tonne EPR fees while incinerating plastic waste generates 3 million tonnes of CO2 annually

Hand holding reprocessed polypropylene pellets
First food-safe polypropylene produced from ocean-bound waste
By Resource |
25 September 2025 |
Partnership prevents 500 million cups reaching oceans whilst meeting European food contact standards
Aeriel view of a cement factory in France
Circular economy measures could cut EU cement emissions by 50 million tonnes
By Resource |
24 September 2025 |
European Commission research identifies production-focused interventions as more effective than recycling approaches
Warehouse worker with hardhat wrapping boxes in stretch film parcel on pallet
UK plastic packaging tax undermined by fraudulent recycled content claims
By
Olivia Loughran
| 22 September 2025 |
RECOUP report reveals imported packaging falsely claiming recycled content is undermining UK recyclers' competitiveness
Surgical gloves being discarded
NHS shift from single-use plastics to bio-based products could unlock £120 million market
By
Olivia Loughran
| 18 September 2025 |
Research identifies opportunity to expand the UK bioeconomy through sustainable public purchasing
Unpacking the new EU rules on textiles and food waste
By
Olivia Loughran
| 18 September 2025 |
New revision of Waste Framework Directive introduces binding food waste targets and EPR schemes for textiles
Gillian Martin, Iain Gulland, Dominic Fry at pioneering biotech start-up, MiAlgae
Scotland circular economy worth £7.1bn and 81,000 jobs study shows
By
Charles Newman
| 11 September 2025 |
State of the Circular Economy report reveals 'significant and thriving' economic landscape
Caerphilly secures site for new recycling depot as part of £55M switch to kerbside sort
By
Olivia Loughran
| 11 September 2025 |
Council purchases Dyffryn Business Park facility as part of capital investment in service change to the Welsh Government’s Collection Blueprint
Artist impression of how future Teeside WFW facility might look like
Newcastle councillors vote to withdraw from £2.1bn waste incinerator project
By
Olivia Loughran
| 9 September 2025 |
Non-binding motion passes by a single vote amid cost and pollution concerns
Whole used tyres for recycling
TRA warns domestic tyre processors could follow plastics industry into crisis
By Resource |
8 September 2025 |
Industry body warns of similar fate to plastics sector amid market pressures and regulatory failures
Emma Reynolds, appointed Secretary of State for DEFRA
Reynolds appointed Environment Secretary as Reed moves to housing
By Resource |
8 September 2025 |
Treasury minister takes Defra reins following cabinet reshuffle
Lancashire councils urged to adopt three-weekly household waste collections
By
Olivia Loughran
| 4 September 2025 |
County authority pushes districts toward extended collection intervals to secure £6 million savings
Conveyor belt leading a mix of plastics and bioplastics to a near infra red sorter
Bio-based plastic sorting trial demonstrates recycling breakthrough
By Resource |
3 September 2025 |
PROSPER project successfully separates contaminated bio-based packaging from conventional plastic streams using NIR technology
FlexCollect 'survival' bag for plastic film to be collected in
FlexCollect results show blueprint for flexible plastic packaging collections
By
Charles Newman
| 1 September 2025 |
Three-year project demonstrates viable collection methods whilst identifying capacity gap and policy reform needs for 2027 rollout
John Bason, Chair of UK DMO
UK DMO appoints John Bason as chair for DRS rollout
By Resource |
29 August 2025 |
Former Associated British Foods finance director and FareShare chair selected to lead scheme administrator for England, Scotland and Northern Ireland
Recyclables being emptied out back of waste vehicle
Quarter of councils plan recycling service change with gate fees expected to rise
By
Charles Newman
| 28 August 2025 |
WRAP's latest annual report of treatment costs finds many councils have delayed decisions until government policies on Simpler Recycling and EPR are implemented. 
Truck carrying a waste skip on a uk motorway
Defra to replace waste carrier, broker and dealer registration with environmental permits
By Resource |
26 August 2025 |
Operators must pass assessments and training requirements under new permit system with enhanced enforcement powers
Huw Irranca-Davies holding a glass bottle
Wales launches reuse-focused deposit return scheme consultation
By
Charles Newman
| 19 August 2025 |
Stakeholders asked for views on proposed reuse targets for 2031-2040 and phased glass inclusion with zero deposit transition approach
© Florian Fussstetter/UNEP, Flickr album, licensed under CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.
UN plastic pollution treaty talks collapse without agreement
By
Charles Newman
| 15 August 2025 |
High Ambition Coalition nations including UK refuse to accept weakened text after 'like-minded' oil-producing countries block production caps
WEEE amendments make online platforms liable for overseas suppliers
By
Olivia Loughran
| 13 August 2025 |
New regulations come into force requiring online retailers to close loophole in producer responsibility obligations
Scotland aims to tackle lack of processing capacity for plastics, metals and batteries
By
Olivia Loughran
| 12 August 2025 |
Government's Waste Reprocessing Infrastructure Report highlights 98.7 per cent per cent of resources used in Scotland are not cycled back into the economy