Recycling and Waste Management Industry News - October 2024

In this blog, we'll dive into the latest developments and news from the recycling and waste management sector.

Our aim is to keep you informed with in-depth analysis, expert opinions, and detailed updates on innovations, policies, and trends shaping the industry.

LARAC 2024 Award Winners Are Announced.

The LARAC awards aim to recognise and celebrate the hard work and achievements of local authority recycling teams, individuals, and partnerships.

This year's worthy winners were:

• Best Communications Campaign of the Year – SWISCo, “Always Recycle Batteries” Campaign
• Best Partnership Award – Oxfordshire County Council and Community Action Group Project
• Best Team of the Year – Herefordshire Council
• Best Waste Minimisation or Prevention Project – North West Leicestershire District Council, School Uniform Swap Shop
• Best New Idea – Cheshire West Recycling, “Zero Agency” initiative
• Circular Economy Achievement – ReUse (in partnership with Lancashire County Council)
• Health and Safety Initiative of the Year – Westminster City Council and Veolia UK
• HWRC of the Year – West Berkshire Council (in partnership with Veolia)

For more details, click here.

Councils Warn That pEPR Fees Won't Cover Costs.

The Local Government Association (LGA) warns that proposed fees for extended producer responsibility (pEPR) are insufficient for councils managing recycling and waste costs. The LGA and North London Waste Authority argue that DEFRA's base fees won’t cover added costs from improper waste sorting, creating financial strain on local authorities. Many councils are pushing for industry to absorb full waste management costs, especially as a recent poll shows public support for this shift. Councils also want clearer packaging labels to aid correct recycling and seek reforms focused on reducing unnecessary packaging.

You can read the full article here.

NAWDO States That The BCC's EFW Article Overlooks Key Issues.

In response to a BBC article labelling energy-from-waste (EfW) as the UK's "dirtiest" energy source, NAWDO emphasises the need for systemic change in waste management. EfW is viewed as a temporary measure essential for handling non-recyclable waste and reducing landfill use, while a shift towards waste reduction at the source is critical. NAWDO advocates for greater producer responsibility, specifically in fossil-fuel-based plastics, and calls for immediate policies focused on waste prevention to reduce emissions at their source.

You can read NAWDO's full response here.

DEFRA Announces Single Use Vapes Will Be Banned By June 2025.

From June 2025, the UK government will ban single-use vapes to tackle rising environmental and health issues. This decision, driven by concerns over youth vaping and significant waste—nearly five million disposable vapes discarded each week—aims to reduce both litter and fire risks from improper disposal. The ban reflects wider efforts to cut down single-use plastics and products with high environmental costs. Authorities and manufacturers are expected to pivot towards sustainable alternatives to manage nicotine addiction responsibly and protect the environment.

You can learn more here.