UK Central Government

Warehouse worker with hardhat wrapping boxes in stretch film parcel on pallet
UK plastic packaging tax undermined by fraudulent recycled content claims

Fraudulent recycled content claims on imported plastic packaging are undermining the UK's Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) and threatening the survival of domestic recycling operations, according to a new report from RECOUP, the UK’s plastics recycling charity.

Surgical gloves being discarded
NHS shift from single-use plastics to bio-based products could unlock £120 million market

Research identifies opportunity to expand the UK bioeconomy through sustainable public purchasing

Whole used tyres for recycling
TRA warns domestic tyre processors could follow plastics industry into crisis

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
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
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
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
Recycling crew
Government provides details of £1.1 billion packaging EPR allocation for English councils
By Resource |
29 July 2025 |
Extended producer responsibility payments highlight the variability in costs of recycling services
Paul Synnott, MD of Seda UK
Packaging Reform Must Support – Not Stifle – Fibre-Based Innovation
By
Paul Synnott
| 25 July 2025 |
Paul Synnott, co-chair for the Alliance for Fibre-Based Packaging on the contradiction of current EPR base fees
UK makes interim waste ETS monitoring voluntary while seeking LA cost solutions
By
Charles Newman
| 22 July 2025 |
Carbon allowance obligations delayed as government hints at postponing EfW inclusion beyond 2028
Pile of waste tyres
Government plans waste exemptions overhaul to tackle criminal abuse
By
Charles Newman
| 16 July 2025 |
Defra restricts and removes 10 most abused exemptions used by criminals
Food waste caddy
Food waste figures a "wakeup call" for sector’s carbon ambitions
By Resource |
2 July 2025 |
Latest data shows six million tonnes wasted annually despite nine per cent reduction from 2021
Repair Cafe
UK businesses can create up to 470,000 jobs with circular models
By
Beth Jones
| 25 June 2025 |
Green Alliance study highlights that investment in circularity, with proper incentivisation, has potential to raise profits and support employment
Close-up of a person repairing a motherboard
Environment APPG calls for consumer ‘right to repair’
By
Maisie Stephens
| 17 June 2025 |
Parliamentary group’s first report appeals for ‘immediate action’ to support a Circular Economy Strategy
Rachel Reeves addressing Parliament
Spending Review sidelines waste resources sector as Defra faces major budget cuts
By Resource |
11 June 2025 |
Government allocates no specific funding for circular economy initiatives despite local authority reform pressures
Large heap of potatoes in a farm field
Government announces £13.6m for surplus farm food redistribution
By Resource |
10 June 2025 |
Grants to 12 food charities will redistribute 19,000 tonnes of surplus produce
Biomonitoring study conducted in river
Biomonitoring: Tracking the health risks of incineration
By
Beth Jones
| 4 June 2025 |
New approach monitors local environment for adverse impacts
Mike Jones, Head of Innovation & Global General Manager of Intelligent Solutions at Mainetti
Sustainability regulations and the packaging industry
By
Mike Jones, Head of Innovation & Global General Manager of Intelligent Solutions at Mainetti
| 4 June 2025 |
Mike Jones offers his perspective on how evolving EU regulations are shaping the packaging industry’s future
Environment Agency waste crime map
EA publishes heatmap of waste crime hotspots
By
Beth Jones
| 28 May 2025 |
Environment Agency data shows nearly 17,000 incidents across the country, with West Midlands, Yorkshire and East Anglia recording highest levels
Plastic waste in river
New EFRA inquiry into circular economy starts by targeting plastic waste
By
Beth Jones
| 21 May 2025 |
Backbench committee will examine progress towards resource efficiency, with an initial focus on UK role in the Global Plastics Treaty
Bins next to UK Parliament
England’s residual waste fell by over 1M tonnes in 2023
By
Beth Jones
| 8 May 2025 |
Latest Defra statistics show 58.7 million tonnes of residual waste was generated in 2023, with reduction rates falling short of 2028 interim targets
Reverse vending machine in Iceland, Northern Ireland
Government appoints operator to run DRS schemes
By
Beth Jones
| 6 May 2025 |
Deposit Management Organisation to manage producer registration, container collection and financial systems across England, Scotland and N. Ireland