UK Central Government

EU member states give circular economy package seal of approval
EU member states give circular economy package seal of approval

The final legislative hurdle to creating a more resource efficient Europe has been overcome after the EU Council approved the EU’s Circular Economy Package (CEP) in Brussels on Tuesday (22 May).

Compliance schemes support amendments to WEEE Regulations
Compliance schemes support amendments to WEEE Regulations

UK compliance schemes for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) have welcomed the government’s response to its consultation on proposed amendments to the UK WEEE Regulations 2013, with actions to be taken forward including a more equitable sharing of the costs of WEEE collection.

Mayor of London targets 50 per cent cut in food waste in final Environment Strategy
Mayor of London targets 50 per cent cut in food waste in final Environment Strategy

The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, has presented the final draft of his London Environment Strategy to the London Assembly for consideration, with targets such as becoming a zero-carbon city and reducing the capital’s food waste by 50 per cent by 2030 among the proposals in the revised document.

UK food waste figures restated to fit international standard
UK food waste figures restated to fit international standard
By
Kate Dickinson
| 22 May 2018 |
The UK’s food waste data, setting out how much food is consumed, recycled and wasted across the country, has been restated by WRAP using new international standards of measurement, resulting in a reduction in the figure for overall household food waste.
Inquiry into Renewable Heat Incentive finds multiple failures
Inquiry into Renewable Heat Incentive finds multiple failures
By
Kate Dickinson
| 17 May 2018 |
A government inquiry into the effectiveness of the RHI, designed to boost the uptake of renewable and low-carbon heating, found that the scheme has not lived up to initial expectations or provided value for money.
Avoidable single-use plastics to be phased out of the Houses of Parliament by 2019
Avoidable single-use plastics to be phased out of the Houses of Parliament by 2019
By
Rob Cole
| 16 May 2018 |
In a bid to reduce its plastic footprint, the UK Parliament has announced a series of measures aiming to ‘virtually eliminate single-use avoidable plastics’ from both the House of Commons and the House of Lords by 2019.
Recycling consultant jailed for £300k tax fraud
Recycling consultant jailed for £300k tax fraud
By
Kate Dickinson
| 16 May 2018 |
John Hamill of GH Consulting has been handed a 21-month jail sentence after paying no income tax for nine years.
Resource efficiency fastest way to cut carbon emissions, new report claims
Resource efficiency fastest way to cut carbon emissions, new report claims
By
Kate Dickinson
| 16 May 2018 |
A report from environmental think tank Green Alliance says the UK government needs to reduce the carbon output from the process of making and using products in order to meet its climate targets.
How much is enough?
How much is enough?
By
Rob Cole
| 15 May 2018 |
The UK currently lacks the infrastructure capacity needed to treat all of its residual waste domestically, but how much will we need in the future? As the debate heats up, Resource attempts to weigh up both sides.
Campaigners block NI incinerator plans after High Court ruling
Campaigners block NI incinerator plans after High Court ruling
By
Rob Cole
| 14 May 2018 |
Controversial plans for a new waste incinerator near Belfast have been blocked by a High Court ruling today following concerted efforts by campaigners and local residents.
Scottish Government appoints expert panel to tackle plastic pollution
Scottish Government appoints expert panel to tackle plastic pollution
By
Gethin Roberts
| 14 May 2018 |
Electoral Commissioner Dame Sue Bruce is to chair an advisory group established to provide Scottish Ministers with advice on sustainability matters.
New Edinburgh initiative to help SMEs go circular
New Edinburgh initiative to help SMEs go circular
By
Rob Cole
| 11 May 2018 |
A new initiative to help SMEs in Edinburgh identify and maximise circular economy opportunities has been launched today in a joint endeavour by Zero Waste Scotland and the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce.
Government to consult on new environmental watchdog
Government to consult on new environmental watchdog
By
Rob Cole
| 10 May 2018 |
A new independent environmental body will hold the government to account for the environmental outcomes of its policies following the UK’s departure from the EU, Defra has announced.
Government considering action on wet wipes containing plastic
Government considering action on wet wipes containing plastic
By
Kate Dickinson
| 8 May 2018 |
Following on from proposed bans on plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds, the UK government has revealed that wet wipes could be the next single-use product in the firing line.
Wales to become first ‘Refill Nation’ amid drive to reduce plastic pollution
Wales to become first ‘Refill Nation’ amid drive to reduce plastic pollution
By
Rob Cole
| 8 May 2018 |
The Welsh Government wants to make it easier to access free drinking water across the country to reduce the consumption of single-use plastics, while an extra £15 million of funding will be allocated to local authorities to boost recycling rates.
Defra Brexit preparations held back by lack of clarity
Defra Brexit preparations held back by lack of clarity
By
Rob Cole
| 4 May 2018 |
Continued uncertainty over what the UK’s departure from the EU will mean in practice are seriously impeding the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra) preparations for Brexit, according to a new report by Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee (PAC).
Food waste collections boost NI recycling rate to 47.1 per cent
Food waste collections boost NI recycling rate to 47.1 per cent
By
Rob Cole
| 2 May 2018 |
Northern Ireland’s recycling rate for the last three months of 2017 has jumped to 47.1 per cent, an increase of five points on the same period in 2016, which Daera attributes to new food waste regulations.  
FareShare calls for £15m from government to redistribute food
By
Kate Dickinson
| 29 April 2018 |
A new campaign by food redistribution charity FareShare wants the government to set up a £15 million fund to cover the costs of getting surplus food to those in need.
Industry says DRS must form part of wider waste strategy
By
Kate Dickinson
| 29 April 2018 |
The announcement this morning (28 March) of plans to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers in England has been hailed as a victory by plastics pollution campaigners, though many within the waste and resources industry have called for caution regarding implementation.
New EA waste crime powers come into force
By
Kate Dickinson
| 29 April 2018 |
The Environment Agency (EA) will be providing waste enforcement officers with body cameras to tackle incidents of abuse as a new raft of waste crime powers comes into force.
Recolight welcomes revised WEEE collection targets for lighting
By
Rob Cole
| 29 April 2018 |
Waste electronic and electrical equipment (WEEE) compliance scheme for the lighting industry Recolight has welcomed Defra’s higher national target for waste lamp recycling in 2018.
Government doubles maximum fine for littering
By
Rob Cole
| 29 April 2018 |
The maximum on-the-spot fine for littering and graffiti has been almost doubled from £80 to £150 as the government cracks down on this anti-social and environmentally damaging behaviour.
Frictionless trade of waste materials essential post-Brexit, says ESA
Frictionless trade of waste materials essential post-Brexit, says ESA
By
Rob Cole
| 20 April 2018 |
The Environmental Services Association has called for the UK and EU authorities to ensure the trade of waste materials continues with as little disruption as possible post-Brexit, in a joint statement with the Dutch Waste Management Association.