A global review of waste and pollution data has revealed that countries with deposit return schemes (DRS) see significantly less drinks container litter on their beaches. According to circular economy organization Reloop, nations that have adopted these systems report, on average, a 54% reduction in beverage container waste in coastal areas. Drastic Cut in…
The UK Government, alongside Northern Ireland’s Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, and Scottish Ministers, has selected the UK Deposit Management Organization (UK DMO) to administer the forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS). Covering England, Northern Ireland and Scotland, this marks a pivotal move towards enhancing recycling infrastructure for single-use plastic and metal beverage containers.…
The EFTA Surveillance Authority (ESA) has taken legal action against Iceland by referring a long-standing case to the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Court. The issue at hand is Iceland’s continued failure to align with European Economic Area (EEA) regulations concerning the disposal of animal by-products not meant for human consumption. Persistent Non-Compliance with…
The preparation of Portugal’s national Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for single-use beverage containers in 2026 was announced in a recent publication by Sensoneo. This initiative aims to enhance recycling efforts, minimize waste, and serve as a model for other Southern European nations looking to implement similar environmental measures. A Major Development in Waste Management…
India has introduced amendments to its Plastic Waste Management Rules, aiming to improve traceability and compliance in the packaging sector. The updated regulations, announced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, require that plastic packaging include specific identification information such as barcodes, QR codes, or unique numbers. These updates are intended to increase…
The UK has launched PackUK, a scheme administrator dedicated to managing the Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging (pEPR). Officially introduced on January 21, 2025, this initiative aims to promote sustainability and shift the financial burden of packaging waste management from taxpayers and local authorities to the businesses that produce and distribute packaging materials. Implementing…
Following last year’s announcement of the UK-wide Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) launch in October 2027, the UK Government has formally introduced new regulations for a DRS, aimed at improving recycling rates for single-use drink containers in England and Northern Ireland. While the initiative marks a significant step toward tackling waste, industry leaders have raised concerns…
Belgium has introduced stricter national regulations regarding packaging waste management to promote sustainability and enhance recycling efforts. These updated laws require businesses to adhere more strictly to the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, ensuring greater accountability in the lifecycle management of packaging materials. The Evolution of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) The EPR system, originally…
Ocado Retail, a prominent UK online supermarket, has partnered with the UK Refill Coalition to introduce a reusable packaging scheme for online shopping. This initiative aims to reduce the use of single-use plastics, aligning with the growing demand for eco-friendly shopping solutions. The Reusable Packaging Scheme The new scheme, which was launched in August…
British Glass, the trade association representing the UK glass manufacturing industry, is voicing significant concerns following the recent announcement of base fees for the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme. While the association supports the overarching goals of the EPR, which aims to make producers accountable for the entire lifecycle of their products, they are deeply…
The Highland Community Waste Partnership (HCWP) has launched an innovative pilot scheme in collaboration with Vytal, a German sustainable packaging company. This initiative aims to promote the use of returnable packaging across Scotland, encouraging businesses to reduce single-use packaging waste. The Returnable Packaging Scheme The pilot scheme seeks to enlist 20 businesses across both…
A recent study conducted by CleanHub, an ocean plastics campaign group, has shed light on the alarming trend of plastic waste exportation revealing that Germany, Japan, and the UK are the leading contributors to this global issue. Alarming Statistics CleanHub’s report reveals the concerning scale of plastic waste exportation, with an estimated 5 million…