The Batteries Regulations 2009 have been amended to allow producers to deduct portable batteries that are exported outside of the UK. The change will take effect as of the forthcoming compliance year of 2019. Producers of portable batteries who are currently registered with BatteryBack now have an opportunity to revise their placed on market data…
Monthly Archives: November 2018
LGA warns of China ban ‘risk’ for councils
The Local Government Association (LGA) has warned of higher waste costs facing councils, following China’s import restrictions on certain recyclable materials, which came into force earlier this year. According to the Association, councils impacted by the ban have seen their recycling costs increase by £500,000 on average over the last year. The LGA highlighted that…
Cooking on gas
Due to popular demand, WasteCare is pleased to announce the expansion of its free national gas cylinder repatriation scheme. Building on the exclusive service for Calor, Air Liquide and Air Products cylinders, WasteCare provides a national service for all types of pressurised cylinders, including LPG cylinders, gas tanks, fire extinguishers and aerosols. Respecting some smaller…
MEPs support recyclable plastic target for bottles
The European Parliament has given the “green light” for a proposed 35% recycled content in new plastic bottles by 2025. The decision follows on from the European Parliament’s Environment Committee vote to change the European Commission’s Single Use Plastics Directive to include the 35% mandatory target. Additionally, the Single Use Plastics Directive, as amended by…
Government to levy tax on single-use plastic packaging
Chancellor Phillip Hammond has announced that the government will levy a tax on single-use plastic packaging, which contains less than 30% recycled content. The measure was proposed in the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget Statement on 29 October to “tackle the scourge” of plastic pollution on land and in oceans. Addressing Parliament, Mr Hammond said: “I said…
Agency training to counter modern-day slavery
The Environment Agency has trained “over 100 staff” to help spot signs of modern-day slavery within the waste sector. The EA’s actions follow on from the Hope for Justice’s latest figures, which highlight that two-thirds of victims have reportedly worked in the waste management industry. Some of the Agency’s officers have been trained and instructed…
WEEE projects first in line for Fee funding
Two projects have received funding worth nearly £1m, following a pay-out of money raised through the WEEE Compliance fund last year. Around £8m of funding is currently available, after electronic goods producers were unable to meet their WEEE recycling targets of old appliances last year under what is proving to be a controversial system. The…