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Communities Secretary Eric Pickles has pledged to tackle ‘unsightly bin clutter and ugly wheelie bins’- with forthcoming planning guidance to encourage developers to make provision for waste storage in new homes. Responding to the announcement, councils, planning authorities and house builders have argued that this is already a key consideration when planning new properties, with…
European policies on waste have been essential for improved resource efficiency, recycling and environmental protection in the UK, the Environmental Services Association (ESA) has said. Defra- and DECC-led consultation, which closed on 12 August, sought views on how EU regulations affected UK environment policy and the economy and is part of a wider Whitehall consultation…
Used cooking oil (UCO) has been the focus of much attention over the last 5 years. Innovations in the processing of UCO and the increased production of bio-diesel have maximised the reuse potential, increasing the value of this abundant waste stream. Where in the past UCO cost businesses to have collected and treated, it now…
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), and the Department for Local Government are amongst the worst hit government branches in the 2015/16 Spending Review. Despite claims of being the ‘greenest government ever’, the two government departments with portfolios in waste, recycling and environmental protection are amongst the worst casualties of the cuts….
With barely two weeks to go until the WEEE Recast Consultation period ends and with so many drastically different options still being considered by BIS, it is more important than ever that producers and other stakeholders understand the options and make their voices heard. Last Monday WasteCare Group held the first of their WEEE2 conferences…
Two of the three council partnerships affected by a Defra’s withdrawal of Private Finance Initiative (PFI) credits for waste projects are seeking a judicial review on the department’s decision. Bradford and Calderdale councils followed North Yorkshire and City of York councils decision to apply to the High Court, seeking leave to bring a judicial review…
The European Commission has launched a consultation on whether there is a need to change Europe’s legally binding waste and recycling targets in line with the Resource Efficiency Roadmap, published in 2011. Stakeholders are asked for their views on future recycling targets for household and commercial waste, with options between 50% and 90% as well…
The average glass recycling rate in the European Union has risen above the 70% threshold for the first time. This is from data compiled by the European Container Glass Federation This figure equates to over 11 million tonnes of glass which was collected throughout the EU in 2011. In the UK alone the glass recycling…
New proposed plans by Defra will give border officials greater powers to stop and detain suspected illegal waste shipments. This is as part of proposed changes to the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations (2007) put forward by the government. The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has launched a consultation on updating the Regulations,…
In a recent statement Recycling Minister Lord De Mauley revealed that tackling waste crime was amongst the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs’ (Defra’s) top priorities this year. Outlining plans for legislation around this area the minister said waste offences ‘would not be tolerated’. He said: “Proportionate regulation is vital to protect the environment…
