Let's give Defra and all concerned a collective pat on the back by recognising the significant strides being made through the UK’s evolving waste legislation. From Simpler Recycling to Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR), the direction of travel is encouraging and long overdue.
However, as with all systems, refinement is key. In my humble opinion, there are two immediate opportunities to enhance both the environmental credibility and operational practicality of current reforms:
1. Give Glass the Credit It Deserves under pEPR
Glass remains one of the most circular packaging materials in existence; endlessly recyclable without degradation, widely collected, and consistently processed domestically. Yet under the current pEPR fee modulation, it is financially penalised relative to less circular options. This risks incentivising a shift away from glass towards lower-cost, higher-impact materials like plastic.
Recommendation: Adjust pEPR modulated fees to reflect true circular value and material sustainability, rewarding glass for its proven performance.
2. Reintroduce the 5kg Threshold for Business Food Waste Collections
Mandating food waste collections for all businesses regardless of output has unintentionally created inefficiencies. In many cases, large vehicles are dispatched to collect negligible volumes (e.g. a single banana skin), with emissions from transport far outweighing the environmental benefit of anaerobic digestion.
Recommendation: Reinstate the minimum threshold of 5kg/week for obligated food waste collections from businesses, ensuring resource use is proportionate and impactful.
The UK is on the right path, but like all good systems, perfection rarely comes first time. With some focused adjustments, we can maximise environmental returns, reduce confusion, and reinforce trust in these policies. More like this (Defra) - link
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