The UK reprocesses large volumes of secondary raw materials through recycling within the domestic market. However, there is a large export trade such as in used cardboard, scrap metal and textiles and from 2017 the rules for exports are to be tightened up.

The main change is that there will be more checks on the exports to make sure the materials are what the exporters say they are. The UK will have to establish “inspection plans for waste shipments” under amendments to regulations made by the Council of the European Union.

Under the reforms, member states will be expected to make information relating to inspections publicly available – including electronically – on an annual basis.