Latest Issues

DEFRA Publishes Producer Responsibility Consultation Summary Responses – Packaging

  DEFRA this morning published the Summary Responses to the recent Producer Responsibility Consultation. Click for the full report. In Summary the proposed Actions – The Plastic packaging recycling target will now be reviewed for future years, hopefully down and over a longer period. This follows a recent WRAP Plastic Flow project which identified an over estimate (320k tonnes) of Plastic Packaging placed on the UK market. Plastic PRN...

The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2015 – Explanatory Memorandum

Source: The Packaging (Essential Requirements) Regulations 2015 – uksiem_20151640_en.pdf THE PACKAGING (ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS) REGULATIONS 2015 2015 No. 1640 1. This explanatory memorandum has been prepared by The Department for Business,Innovation and Skills and is laid before Parliament by Command of Her Majesty. This memorandum contains information for the Joint Committee on Statutory Instruments. 2. Purpose of the instrument 2.1 These Regulations implement Articles 9 and 11 of Directive 94/62/EC...

UK Aluminium PRN Packaging Recycling Targets Statement- DEFRA August 2015

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Government position statement Aluminium packaging recycling targets The latest data shows that the number of aluminium packaging waste recovery notes (PRNs) issued in the UK are not on track to meet the statutory business targets for the recycling of aluminium packaging in 2015. The Department’s position on this issue is as follows: We expect producers and compliance schemes to comply with their...

Making Things Last: Scottish Govt. Consultation on creating a more circular economy in Scotland

Source: Citizen Space – Making Things Last: Consultation on creating a more circular economy in Scotland Consultation Paper, 2.1 MB (PDF document) This consultation explores the priorities for building a more circular economy – where products and materials are kept in high value use for as long as possible.  It builds on Scotland’s progress in the zero waste and resource efficiency agendas, with a new focus on a much...

Irn-Bru bottle return scheme ends  – AG Barr

Irn-Bru bottle return scheme ends Soft drinks manufacturer A.G. Barr has announced its 110-year-old deposit return scheme for glass bottles, including Irn-Bru, will close after a reduction in customers using the scheme. The firm said its scheme to offer customers a cash exchange saw 90% of its bottles (pictured) returned to retailers in the early 90s, but this has now dropped to 50%. Barr has instructed retailers to continue...

Aluminium PRN Update – Advisory Commission On Packaging – Simpler PRN system expected for 2016.

Source: Simpler PRN system expected for 2016 | News | Materials Recycling World The Co2 Compliance Packaging Scheme can confirm full Packaging Compliance in Aluminium for 2015, having covered all members obligations earlier in the year. Concerns have also been raised about aluminium PRNs which have significantly underperformed in the last two quarters. This has been largely blamed on new protocols from January 2015 that no longer recognise the...

Business fined for non compliance with all 3 producer responsibility regimes – Packaging Regulations Compliance – WEEE – Batteries

Babz Media Limited, an online company, was ordered to pay £45,500 in fines, and £8,724.98 in costs for breach of environmental legislation. Source: Business falls foul of all 3 producer responsibility regimes – Press releases – GOV.UK Babz Media Limited, an online company, was ordered to pay £45,500 in fines, and £8,724.98 in costs for breach of environmental legislation. Babz Media Limited, an online trading company operating from Bilton...

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation launches “Delivering the circular economy – a toolkit for policymakers” – Ellen MacArthur Foundation

Source: The Ellen MacArthur Foundation launches “Delivering the circular economy – a toolkit for policymakers” – Ellen MacArthur Foundation he Ellen MacArthur Foundation today launches the results of its latest research which provides, for the first time, an actionable toolkit for policymakers who wish to embark on a circular economy transition. The toolkit complements the recently published report Growth Within: A circular economy vision for a competitive Europe by...

Companies fined £164,000 for packaging non-compliance

£190,000 for packaging non-compliance Source: Letsrecycle.com Businesses that failed to complywith laws designed to encourage the recycling of waste packaging paid more than £189,000 to charities to avoid legal action from the Environment Agency between September 2014 and April 2015. Figures published this month by the Agency show that a total of 15 businesses had failed to register with a compliance scheme as required under the Producer Responsibility Obligations...

Coca-Cola displays first PlantBottle made from 100% plant materials |

The Coca-Cola Company has unveiled the world’s first PET plastic bottle made entirely from plant materials at the World Expo – Milan. PlantBottle packaging “pushes the boundaries on sustainable innovation by using groundbreaking technology to create a fully recyclable plastic bottle made from renewable plant materials,” said the soft drinks giant. The current version of PlantBottle, which is made from up to 30% plant-based materials, was launched in 2009....