Government
Government's new Environment Bill sets out plans for plastics, DRS and recycling
Bill outlines the Government’s intention to introduce charges for “a number of single-use plastics items”, as well as confirming the introduction of a bottle deposit return scheme and consistent recycling schemes. Read more
Thérèse Coffey leaves DEFRA to join DWP
Coffey was previously Minister of State at DEFRA, from July 2019, and before that the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at DEFRA, from July 2016 Read more
Theresa Villiers appointed new Environment Secretary in Defra reshuffle
She previously served as Secretary of State for Northern Ireland from September 2012 until July 2016, and was Minister of State for Transport from May 2010 until September 2012 Read more
Make UK appeals to Boris Johnson to avoid no-deal Brexit
The call follows the new Prime Minister’s appointment of prominent pro-Brexit politicians to key Cabinet positions Read more
UK to lead global innovation in sustainable plastics in drive to net zero
Business are expected to jointly invest up to £149 million, alongside a £60 million government investment, to help to move away from single-use plastics Read more
Environment Secretary Michael Gove backs all-in deposit return system
The Government announced in February it was exploring two versions of a DRS, with the alternative on-the-go model attracting criticism from environmental groups due to it being restricted in the types of containers it can take Read more
Government targets particulate matter and microplastic pollution from cars
While air quality has improved significantly over recent decades, a new report by the Air Quality Expert Group has called for urgent action to address the problem of tyres and brakes which is predicted to account for 10 per cent of national emissions Read more
Proposals launched to boost the quality and uptake of Higher Technical Qualifications
Level 4 and 5 qualifications, which sit between A Levels (Level 3), and degrees (Level 6), will be rebadged as Higher Technical Qualifications and quality approved, in a drive to attract more students to Read more
UK Government stands with Malaysia on the issue of illegal trade in plastic waste
The Government has issued a statement saying it is "deeply concerned" about the issue Read more
MP for Cardiff North fights for urgent overhaul of UK’s plastic and packaging waste system
McMorrin has been calling for a fundamental overhaul in how our waste is managed and has urged both the UK and Welsh Government to ensure that producers are wholly responsible for the waste they produce Read more
Government takes action to ban plastic straws, stirrers, and cotton buds by 2020
The ban will include exemptions to ensure that those with medical needs or a disability are able to continue to access plastic straws Read more
Welsh Government makes climate emergency declaration
The declaration sends a clear signal that the Welsh Government will not allow the process of leaving the EU to detract from the challenge of climate change Read more
Institute of Economic Affairs finds costs of deposit return scheme largely outweighs gains
The report finds that the DRS is expected to cost almost £1 billion to set up, to collect recyclables worth just £37 million Read more
Industry calls for T levels boost to avoid repeating Apprentice Levy errors, finds Make UK survey
The call comes on the back of a new survey by Make UK, which has shown a significant lack of awareness amongst industry about the proposed new T levels, as well as concerns about how key elements of the reforms will be implemented in practice Read more
Government issues reminder to waste industry in case of no-deal Brexit
The government is reminding companies that export waste from the UK to review their contingency plans in case of disruption at ports, should the UK leave the European Union without a deal Read more
GovTech Catalyst competition winners announced
The successful projects include research into tracking waste through electronic chips and sensors, the use of blockchain, looking at common reporting platforms, and new data analytics Read more
Deputy Minister urges Welsh public to have their say on plastic waste
The Welsh Government has been working with the other UK nations on a comprehensive UK wide approach to address the problems created by commonly littered single use plastics Read more
Government Deposit Return Scheme draws criticism from environmental groups
The DRS has been proposed with two options, the “all-in” model, which would target a large amount of drinks beverages placed on the market, irrespective of size, and the “on-the-go” model, which would restrict the drinks containers in-scope to those Read more
MPs call for bold national Plastic Packaging Plan to help consumers protect our oceans and create green UK jobs
The “Plastics Packaging Plan: Achieving Net Zero ‘Waste’ Exports” is backed by 12 cross-party politicians and says the UK must urgently take back control of its share of the global plastics problem Read more
MP’s call for ban on exporting plastic waste
The move has come after a number of Asian countries, including China, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, have limited and banned incoming plastic waste Read more
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LiteFit plastic inserts take off with the Eurofighter Typhoon
