Government
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
British Plastics Federation calls on government to avoid a no-deal Brexit
The BPF believes that a no-deal Brexit would create major issues for the plastics industry Read more
The 'plastic road' (Credit: MacRebur)
Plastic preventing potholes: Transport Secretary commits millions to road improvement trials
Funding for new plastics-based technology that could help stop potholes from forming has been announced by the Transport Secretary, Chris Grayling. Read more
Government says long-term harm from plastic pollution is unknown “because we haven’t looked hard enough”
New report focuses on the risks posed by plastic pollution, climate change, and deep-sea mining Read more
Resources and Waste Strategy brings whole-system change
Environment Secretary launches long-awaited blueprint that will see overhaul of ERP system, DRS implementation and consistency in household collections. Read more
Budget: Tax on plastic packaging; £20m investment in recycling; PRN reform
Everything you need to know at-a-glance about the Chancellor's new measures relating to reducing plastics waste announced in the Autumn 2018 budget. Read more
Government launches consultation on planned plastic straw ban
The Government has launched a six-week consultation on its plans to ban the sale and distribution of plastic straws, drinks stirrers and cotton buds. Read more
Therese Coffey at the Parliamentary Reception
“Do not feel under threat” Coffey tells plastics industry
Therese Coffey has told the UK plastics industry not to feel under threat, but to see the Government’s upcoming Plastic Waste and Recycling Strategy as "an opportunity”. Read more
Carrier bag sales in the biggest seven English supermarkets have fallen since the introduction of the 5p charge in 2015.
PM confirms plans to extend plastic bag charge
During visit to Kenya Prime Minister announces consultation on extending plastic bag charge to all retailers and increasing minimum charge to 10p. Read more
The Chancellor will announce new policies to tackle plastics waste in the Budget statement
Consultation on single-use plastics receives largest response in Treasury’s history
The call to evidence on plastic waste and litter announced in the Chancellor’s Spring Statement has received 162,000 responses - the largest number in the Treasury’s history - with ideas for taxes on 'single-use' plastics and incineration "promising" Read more
UK launches research and innovation hub to tackle plastic pollution in our oceans
UK launches new research and innovation hub to tackle plastic pollution in our seas and oceans. Read more
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LiteFit plastic inserts take off with the Eurofighter Typhoon
