Plastics packaging and products using plastics continued to feature in government policy developments ahead of the election period. Facing a ban from next spring, subject to the Parliamentary and political timetable, are three products: plastic straws, plastic-stemmed cotton buds and plastic drink stirrers (with some exceptions). On 28 October, the Department for Environment, Food and…
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Environment Bill laid in Parliament
The recycling and waste management sector has generally responded positively to publication of the Environment Bill subsequent to it being announced in the Queen’s Speech in October. Most commentators welcomed the Bill although there were calls to make sure it progressed and, in particular, delivered fully on the proposal for an Office for Environmental Protection….
Defra confirms WEEE revision and cash for councils
A top Defra official has reinforced the government’s commitment to cover the costs of national changes to household waste collections which will derive from the Environment Bill. And, speaking at a recent local authority conference, the official – Chris Preston – also confirmed that a review of the WEEE, Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment regulations…
EU bid to make electrical products ‘last longer’
New eco-design measures have been adopted by the European Commission in a bid to make electrical products last longer and use less energy. An Ecodesign and Energy Labelling Package aims to reduce Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) by making it easier to repair electronic items, largely through making spare parts more available and easier…
WasteCare backs the Revolution
If you remember the name Remington, you will surely recall the line “I was so impressed, I bought the company”, well that’s how we feel about KeyWaste Ltd. KeyWaste are the sole supplier of the Revolution in the UK and mainland Europe. We were first introduced to the Revolution back in 2002. Since then we…
Research project to look at ‘bin sleepers
This autumn will see health and safety research work undertaken ahead of the winter months when people may be found sleeping in waste bins and containers at business and other premises. With fatalities in recent years, usually as a result of individuals involved in bin lift accidents, a new research project into the topic, with…
Deposit scheme looms for Scotland
A deposit return scheme for drinks containers looks set to happen in Scotland by 2021, assuming that current plans are met. Legislation is expected to go through the Scottish Parliament over the next few months and will see Scotland having a scheme in place before England. Experts suggest that there remains a possibility that the…
WEEE items ‘unused’ in homes
A study by the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) has suggested that hundreds of thousands of unused electrical items may be sitting idle in cupboards and drawers in homes across the country. Consequently it has urged the public to get out the items for reuse if possible or for recycling. The RSC commissioned a survey…
Sustainability focus grows among retailers
As the environmental awareness of consumers continues to grow, with everything from McDonalds straws to Greta Thunberg’s voyage across the Atlantic in the news, one retailer has briefed its suppliers over the sustainability of packaging. And, the British Retail Consortium has described how its members are making progress on the sustainability front. Tesco has revealed…
Funding pot to boost council WEEE collections
Councils are being offered funding for projects that are aimed at increasing the collection of old electrical appliances from the kerbside. Up to £3 million is being made available to local authorities through the WEEE Fund, money which is collected from producer compliance schemes when targets for the collection of WEEE – waste electrical and…