UK Central Government

Packaging
Recycling and packaging industries express ‘significant doubts’ over Defra EPR proposals

The Environmental Services Association (ESA) and 13 other trade associations representing the packaging and recycling industries issued an open letter to Defra yesterday (16 September), restating concern about the Government’s proposals for dealing with packaging waste collections from businesses in England under the extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme.

Field of tree stumps
Businesses restate calls to strengthen Environment Bill

Corporations write to Defra asking it to ‘tackle all forms of deforestation’, not just poorly regulated illegal deforestation

EA guidance
Environment Agency urges sports industry to combat plastic waste


The Environment Agency has presented the sector with advice regarding the reduction of avoidable plastic refuse

Interim Office for Environmental Protection launched
By
Lidia Creech
| 2 July 2021 |
England’s environmental watchdog has launched on an interim basis from 1 July
Mount Recyclemore
WasteAid and musicMagpie join forces to tackle e-waste
By
Lidia Creech
| 11 June 2021 |
The two organisations have partnered to raise awareness of the detrimental environmental impact of e-waste during this year’s G7 summit
Government should go ‘further and faster’ with packaging schemes, says NLWA
By
Lidia Creech
| 11 June 2021 |
The waste authority has published its response to the government consultations on EPR and DRS, calling for it to speed up and improve plans 
Large-scale fly-tipping remains a big issue
By
Lidia Creech
| 10 June 2021 |
The Environment Agency (EA) national waste crime survey shows that large-scale fly-tipping remains one of the biggest problems for the sector
Food bank
92,000 tonnes of surplus food redistributed in 2020
By
Lidia Creech
| 10 June 2021 |
WRAP reports the largest annual increase in surplus food redistribution since records began
Food bank
92,000 tonnes of surplus food redistributed in 2020
By
Lidia Creech
| 10 June 2021 |
WRAP reports the largest annual increase in surplus food redistribution since records began
Food bank
92,000 tonnes of surplus food redistributed in 2020
By
Lidia Creech
| 10 June 2021 |
WRAP reports the largest annual increase in surplus food redistribution since records began
DRS should be ‘deferred’, says LARAC
By
Lidia Creech
| 7 June 2021 |
The local authority committee has stated a delay in the proposed DRS would be preferable to going forward with the current model
Bottles in supermarket
Digital DRS could achieve huge savings
By
Lidia Creech
| 2 June 2021 |
The Digital DRS Industry Working Group has released a new report finding an ‘all-in’ digital DRS model could save millions compared to current proposals for DRS
National circular economy research programme launched
By
Lidia Creech
| 2 June 2021 |
The UKRI has contributed £30 million towards the research programme that will look to accelerate the UK’s shift to a circular economy
FCC Environment launches report mapping key political challenges for waste sector
By
Lidia Creech
| 12 May 2021 |
‘Mapping the Politics of Waste’ covers changes in legislation and key challenges facing the waste and resources sector
Plastic bag
Defra introduces 10p carrier bag levy
By
Lidia Creech
| 7 May 2021 |
The UK Government is extending the carrier bag charge to all businesses from 21 May
Industry ‘very concerned’ about impact of tax increase for AD plants
By
Lidia Creech
| 22 April 2021 |
ABDA and other industry experts have spoken out against the change in tax methodology that would see tax increase for anaerobic digestion (AD) plants in the UK
White plastic sachet
Survey finds majority supports ban on single-use sachets
By
Ilia Hionidou
| 8 April 2021 |
Prevalent in the personal care industry, sample sachets prove almost impossible to recycle, and are the most common branded plastic waste pollutant
Damian Lambkin, Commercial and Business Development Director at Fenix Battery Recycling
Lithium ion battery recycling project receives £955k from Innovate UK
By
Ilia Hionidou
| 8 April 2021 |
The project will develop cleaner and more sustainable recycling processes for the batteries used in electric vehicles
Cigarette butts
Defra considers charging tobacco industry for cigarette litter
By
Patrick Jowett
| 30 March 2021 |
Defra ministers are considering legislation that would charge tobacco companies for cigarette cleaning currently paid for by local councils
building site
Green Alliance report advises UK to halve resource consumption
By
Patrick Jowett
| 30 March 2021 |
A Green Alliance report advises the Government to switch focus from individual waste streams to halving consumption of resources
WRAP report emphasises resource efficiency to help UK reach net zero
By
Ilia Hionidou
| 26 March 2021 |
Analysis by WRAP and the University of Leeds shows resource management could cut CO2 emissions by 100 million tonnes in ten years
Industry responds to Defra consultations on EPR and DRS
By
Lidia Creech
| 25 March 2021 |
The Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee has expressed concerns about the timings of Defra consultations on consistent recycling collections
Sturdy plastic bakery delivery trays
Half of UK public aware of unnecessary plastic recycling, reveals research
By
Lidia Creech
| 24 March 2021 |
Baking equipment company Bakers Basco has led research into the public’s view on plastics recycling in the UK