UK Central Government

A stack of mixed waste packaging
What should producer responsibility reform look like?

The government consultation on extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging is ongoing, with the potential to revolutionise how the management of our waste packaging is organised and funded.


Businesses have until 13 May to respond to the consultation, and conclusions so far seem to suggest that the government’s proposals for new EPR models are “commendable” but not quite up to scratch.

Increase in waste generated sees drop in Scotland’s recycling
Increase in waste generated sees drop in Scotland’s recycling

Scotland has reported a slight drop in its recycling rate to 58.9 per cent for 2017 amid an increase in total waste generated, according to official figures from the Scottish Environment Protection Agency.

New JCB loaders on site at Countrystyle Recycling
News in brief 02/04/19

A round up of news from the waste and recycling sector, including new contracts for FCC Environment, plans for a recycling facility in South Gloucestershire, new JCB loaders for Countrystyle Recycling and the launch of a tool to help councils assess the impact of government waste policies.

Gove raises prospect of waste stockpiling in the event of ‘no deal’ Brexit
Gove raises prospect of waste stockpiling in the event of ‘no deal’ Brexit
By
Rob Cole
| 29 January 2019 |
The Environment Secretary Michael Gove has outlined Defra’s preparations for the stockpiling of waste in the event of a ‘no deal’ Brexit in a letter to Lord Teverson, Chair of the European Union Energy and Environment Sub-Committee in the House of Lords.
Iceland to trial Northern Ireland’s first reverse vending machine
Iceland to trial Northern Ireland’s first reverse vending machine
By
Rob Cole
| 28 January 2019 |
UK retailer Iceland has introduced the first in-store reverse vending machine in Northern Ireland as it continues its efforts to reduce the environmental impacts of single-use plastics on the environment.
Countries need to become circular to avoid climate change, says report
By
Kate Dickinson
| 22 January 2019 |
The Global Circularity Gap Report 2019 states that only nine per cent of the world’s natural resources are being reused – and governments must drive changes in unsustainable patterns of consumption to avoid global warming.
REA launches bioenergy review
REA launches bioenergy review
By
Rob Cole
| 22 January 2019 |
The Renewable Energy Association has launched a call for evidence as part of a far-reaching review of the future of bioenergy in the UK.
New research shows vast extent of fly-tipping
New research shows vast extent of fly-tipping
By
Rob Cole
| 17 January 2019 |
New research from The Furniture Recycling Group (TFR Group) has revealed that 646,039 fly-tipping incidents were recorded in just five cities since 2013.
Volunteers with food redistribution charity Fareshare
Defra opens £5m food redistribution fund
By
Kate Dickinson
| 15 January 2019 |
The first round of government funding has opened for food redistribution organisations across the UK.
ADBA urges government Food Waste Champion not to neglect recycling
ADBA urges government Food Waste Champion not to neglect recycling
By
Rob Cole
| 10 January 2019 |
The Anaerobic Digestion and Bioresources Association (ADBA) has written to the government’s new Food Surplus and Waste Champion to urge him not to overlook the recycling of inedible food waste.
Staniforth promoted to Head of Policy at Ecosurety
Staniforth promoted to Head of Policy at Ecosurety
By
Rob Cole
| 9 January 2019 |
Compliance scheme Ecosurety’s Policy Manager, Robbie Staniforth, has been promoted to the newly created role of Head of Policy, providing in-depth policy and market insight.
Householders could face £400 fine for fly-tipping
Householders could face £400 fine for fly-tipping
By
Kate Dickinson
| 8 January 2019 |
A new fixed penalty notice has come into force for householders who don’t use a licensed waste carrier and whose waste ends up being fly-tipped. 
Within difficulty lies opportunity: How Brexit could drive the UK circular economy
Within difficulty lies opportunity: How Brexit could drive the UK circular economy
By
Roger Morton
| 3 January 2019 |
Roger Morton, Director of Axion Polymers, explains what opportunities for the UK waste and resources sector could arise out of the UK’s departure from the EU.
New Food Surplus and Waste Champion announced
New Food Surplus and Waste Champion announced
By
Kate Dickinson
| 2 January 2019 |
Ben Elliot of Quintessentially Group has been appointed the UK’s first Food Surplus and Waste Champion to drive the fight against food waste.
Andy Rees OBE
Andy Rees awarded OBE
By
Charles Newman
| 31 December 2018 |
The Head of Waste Strategy at the Welsh Government, Dr Andy Rees, has been recognised with an OBE for ‘services to the Environment and Recycling in Wales’ in the 2019 New Year Honours list. 
It’s time to vote for your Legends of Waste in this year’s Hot 100!
It’s time to vote for your Legends of Waste in this year’s Hot 100!
By
Rob Cole
| 20 December 2018 |
Who across the waste and resources world has done enough to etch their name into the pantheon of greats as this year’s Legend of Waste? You can tell us now by voting in this year’s Hot 100.
Gove commits to ‘significant’ funding to local authorities
Gove commits to ‘significant’ funding to local authorities
By
Rob Cole
| 20 December 2018 |
Local authorities will be given “hundreds of millions of pounds” in order to help them boost their recycling rates and waste management performance following the publication of the Resources and Waste Strategy, Environment Secretary Michael Gove told MPs yesterday.
Industry welcomes ‘bold and radical’ Resources and Waste Strategy
Industry welcomes ‘bold and radical’ Resources and Waste Strategy
By
Rob Cole
| 18 December 2018 |
Key stakeholders have largely welcomed the publication of the Resources and Waste Strategy by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), calling it a “blueprint for the future” and “bold and radical”, though some reservations remain.
Resources and Waste Strategy outlines government’s circular ambitions
Resources and Waste Strategy outlines government’s circular ambitions
By
Rob Cole
| 18 December 2018 |
Plans to introduce separate food waste collections to every household in England by 2023 and ensure producers pay for the costs of managing their waste packaging have been included in the long-awaited Resources and Waste Strategy.
Government minister calls for separate food waste collections
Government minister calls for separate food waste collections
By
Rob Cole
| 13 December 2018 |
Graham Stuart MP has stated that the upcoming Resources and Waste Strategy will “require separate food waste collections” in order to reduce carbon emissions and act as a feedstock for anaerobic digestion.
England’s recycling rate falls once again
England’s recycling rate falls once again
By
Rob Cole
| 12 December 2018 |
England’s ‘waste from households’ recycling rate has once again fallen following an increase last year, dropping 0.3 per cent to 44.8 per cent over 2017/18.
Bioeconomy Strategy aims to make UK world-leader by 2030
Bioeconomy Strategy aims to make UK world-leader by 2030
By
Rob Cole
| 7 December 2018 |
The UK Government has released its Bioeconomy Strategy, which outlines how the UK can build a world-class bioeconomy by 2030 and lead the way in easing the reliance on fossil resources.
Biffa launches £250,000 initiative to tackle construction waste crime
Biffa launches £250,000 initiative to tackle construction waste crime
By
Kate Nicholson
| 6 December 2018 |
Waste management provider, Biffa, has invested a quarter of a million pounds into a new initiative in an attempt to improve construction waste compliance across Yorkshire.