Economy

Founder of Hubbub and Sizzle Trewin Restorick explains why its time to start treating food and green waste as a valuable resource, not a mess to be disposed of.

The government has announced a new independent expert advisory group to offer guidance on how best to create a circular economy.

It will have plenty to explore with electronics, fashion and packaging likely to grab their immediate attention. But maybe they should look at less discussed and grubbier materials to deliver on their ambitions to create green growth, maximise UK resource use, and support the transition to net zero.

This is the view of fifteen organisations – including the Wildlife Trusts, the Royal Horticultural Society, and Nature Friendly Farming Network – who believe that the UK Government should take a fresh look at the way unavoidable food and green waste is treated with a view to reducing reliance on fertilisers, improving soil quality and cutting emissions.

The UK currently treats food and green waste as a mess to be disposed of rather than a valuable resource. In the first instance, we should be looking to waste as little food as possible, but we could do so much more with what is left over.

Over 80% of household food waste is sent to incineration, landfilled, or flushed into sewers. The remaining 20% is composted or used to produce biomethane in anaerobic digestion plants.

The challenge of handling this waste is about to become more pressing with new legislation in place for weekly collections of household food waste and collections from businesses.

This food waste and other natural by-products can provide millions of tonnes of nutrient-rich compost and fertiliser delivering financial and environmental value.

Boosting organic matter in soil will increase production through improved yields, helping UK food security and enhancing soil quality.

Locally produced quality compost will cut dependence on expensive, imported greenhouse gas-emitting chemical fertilisers saving money for farmers, and supporting the green growth agenda. High-quality green waste can be part of the mix to replace the use of peat in growing.

Creating these multiple benefits will require government to take a fresh look at existing policies requiring different departments to take a more systemic view, which will be essential if ambitions to create a circular economy are to be realised.

This systemic approach will require helping farmers gain access to high-quality and affordable compost. It needs to provide financial support and incentives for local authorities and waste companies to reduce contamination levels in food and biowaste.

It should also consider how best to make natural materials available for composting by reviewing the incentives that currently result in materials, like woodchips, being burnt for energy production.

Finally, it must guarantee that anaerobic digestion (AD) plants employ further processing of the end-product digestate (including dewatering) and promote new joint AD and composting plants (which deploy further composting of solid digestate).

This can ensure that these plants deliver the maximum benefits for soil health from organic waste and don’t create unexpected and negative environmental impacts, such as increased levels of river pollution.

These benefits and the associated policy asks have been created by the Enrich the Earth initiative, led by Sizzle Innovation and funded by the Esmee Fairbairn Foundation.

Enrich the Earth is a movement of diverse organisations seeking to turn waste into nutrient-rich gold.

The partnership has identified that long-term systemic change can only occur if there is a supportive legislative framework.

This realisation is backed by a growing number of organisations who have put their names behind the policy asks. The challenge is how to bring these requests to the attention of a hard-pressed government.

Our work so far has only confirmed that government policy remains almost completely siloed in this space, meaning that the solutions to these problems are not being effectively implemented.

In short, fertilisers are treated as a farming matter, food waste as a collections issue, and anaerobic digestion as an energy issue.

Different teams across different departments are failing to join the dots to deliver a circular economy for biowaste.

Our hope is that the new Circular Economy Taskforce, which will crucially report to a cross-departmental group of Ministers, will add this to their list of considerations and government will realise the multitude of benefits of getting their hands dirty.

We realise that food and green waste are not the most glamorous of topics but as the adage goes “Where there is muck there’s brass”.

If your organisation wishes to be part of the supporting partnership or you want more details, please email hello@enrichtheearth.co.uk.

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Obligated businesses must submit 2024 packaging data by 1 April 2025 under the new extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme.

Under legislation which came into force on 1 January 2024, large organisations must submit their July-December 2024 data by 1 April.

Small organisations must submit their January-December 2024 data in one annual submission by 1 April.

Both large and small organisations must also register with their environmental regulator by the same date.

If obligated packaging producers have not reported their data or registered, they could face enforcement action.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the data producers provide will be “crucial” in helping to ensure fees are set at an appropriate level.

Defra released the third round of base fees for extended producer responsibility for packaging (pEPR) in January.

Together, we will deliver a fair and collaborative scheme that addresses the challenges of packaging waste…

The first round of pEPR base fees was published in August 2024 and was met with scathing criticism from the glass industry.

Defra published the refined figures once more data had been reported and checked by regulators because of “significant limitations” in the data used to create the original fees.

The updated illustrative base fees are for year 1 of pEPR and relates to fees that would be charged to obligated packaging producers by the Scheme Administrator. The fees are rounded to the nearest £5.

Dr Margaret Bates, head of the UK pEPR scheme administrator PackUK, said the need for an effective pEPR scheme that shifts the cost of managing household packaging waste to producers has “never been more critical”.

“Together, we will deliver a fair and collaborative scheme that addresses the challenges of packaging waste and lays the foundation for a more sustainable and responsible approach to packaging,” Bates said.

Dr Bates, CIWM (Chartered Institution of Wastes Management) President between October 2016 and October 2017, worked as the Managing Director of On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) before she was appointed scheme administrator head.

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Alice Rackley, CEO of Polytag, explains how the evolution in barcode technology can make packaging supply chains smarter and increase visibility.

It’s a common misconception that circularity simply equals recycling more. Instead, think of the supply chain as a never-ending game of “pass the parcel”.

To achieve a circular fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) economy, we must carefully assess each step, especially the industry’s role in delivering products to consumers and reclaiming them for recycling and recovery. This requires better connectivity and optimisation across the chain.

The FMCG industry must focus its efforts on bridging the gaps between retailers and consumers, and more crucially, recovery facilities. This means not only delivering products but responsibly managing the product’s end-of-life.

Every element of the chain needs to be examined, and that is why even established systems, such as the standard barcode, are being replaced.

The barcode has undoubtedly served us well, but I’m pleased that we’ve finally started looking at new technologies that can provide even more benefits across the entire value chain. As the saying goes, “just because it works, doesn’t mean it can’t be improved”.

Supply chain packaging: Beyond the basics

For decades, the standard barcode has served the FMCG industry as a reliable, albeit limited, tool for product identification. However, as the demands of modern retailers have evolved, so too must packaging and its components.

While it has its benefits, the traditional barcode also has inherent limitations – the use of valuable label space, limited data, and its sole point of sale function – which have restricted its potential.

Enter 2D barcodes that enable traceability and transparency in today’s rapidly evolving world – a game changer for brands and retailers.

Ticking all the boxes, these advanced codes – QR and GS1 Data Matrix codes – unlock new avenues for information sharing, consumer engagement and supply chain visibility, fostering a more informed and connected ecosystem.

The key to a smarter supply chain

Last year, GS1, the global standards organisation, announced Sunrise 2027, the move to implement 2D barcodes at point-of-sale (POS) and point-of-care (POC) systems in the next two years.

Leading brands in the FMCG market are on board, having already marked their commitment. Its recent report, “The Next Generation of Barcodes: QR Codes,” outlines the transformative potential that QR codes have in improving supply chain traceability, enhancing efficiencies, ensuring product safety and delivering valuable information to consumers.

From real-time inventory management to enhanced recall capabilities and personalised consumer experiences, the opportunities are vast. The shift from 1D barcodes is well underway, paving the way for a more data-rich supply chain.

When added to packaging, QR codes enable brands to tap into direct-to-consumer marketing tactics. Beyond streamlining retail operations, they provide a convenient channel to deliver targeted messaging, product details and interactive experiences.

Brands can leverage QR codes to share everything from ingredient provenance and recycling instructions to sustainability initiatives and exclusive loyalty programmes, placing a wealth of valuable information directly into consumers’ hands.

This is especially crucial as packaging becomes smaller, more compact and more sustainable, leaving brands increasingly less room for key messaging and information.

Winning consumer trust

Research supports this shift – there is a clear and growing majority of consumers who recognise and appreciate the effectiveness of QR codes, particularly their significant impact on engagement and marketing return on investment (ROI).

Two-thirds (67%) of consumers stated that connected packaging fosters customer loyalty through personalisation, while 59% said it enhances direct customer communication.

Data also shows engagement is not only earned but sustained with 2D barcodes, and we see this ourselves. Our GS1-approved QR codes increase landing page dwell time by seven times, indicating that consumer interest in new technologies does translate into sustained engagement.

As such, QR codes are being increasingly adopted by brands thanks to solidify their messaging and build lasting relationships.

Strengthening EPR

Looking at the wider picture, to create a truly circular economy, integrating these technologies with the required, supportive legislation is crucial. 2D barcodes provide real-time data, enabling brands to track products with unprecedented accuracy throughout their lifecycle.

However, some policies, such as the current Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) criteria, often lack clarity and fail to incorporate such innovations effectively, potentially slowing progress across the supply chain.

If the UK’s EPR programme is to drive real impact, policymakers and the industry must work together closely; 2D barcodes can act as the link between evolving regulatory requirements and the challenges brands face in achieving sustainability goals.

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UK households could make £638 by recycling their unused tech devices, according to new research from Virgin Media O2.

The findings were released to coincide with Global Recycling Day (18 March) and show households are missing out on an average of £638 from recycling their unused tech.

The research estimates 92 million electrical devices – including phones, tablets, smartwatches and gaming consoles – have been thrown in the bin in the last five years, costing the average household £370.

Despite 65% of people saying they understand the environmental impact of throwing electronics in the bin, 79% admit to discarding devices along with their general rubbish.

Research find households are hoarding unused tech

The study also revealed Britain is a nation of hoarders, with 74% saying they’ve held onto unwanted tech for at least five years or more.

However, 81% say they would clear out their tech and recycle unwanted devices if it could earn them cash, while a further 72% would donate their devices to someone in need.

Commenting on the findings, Nicola Green from Virgin Media O2 said: “Most homes have a drawer of doom that’s crammed with dozens of unused devices gathering dust, that could otherwise earn Brits cash or be reused by someone else.

“That’s why Virgin Media O2 is leading the way in tackling e-waste and helping people pass on their unwanted tech to help protect the planet.

“This includes O2 Recycle where Brits can make money for their old electronics, Community Calling where they can donate a smartphone to someone in need or taking a small device to an O2 store where it’ll be sent off for recycling.”

The O2 Recycle scheme is open to anyone regardless of their mobile operator and accepts smartphones, tablets, wearables, earbuds, MacBooks and consoles.

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Food redistribution charities can now submit applications for a new £15 million UK Government scheme to help ensure surplus food is redistributed.

The new Tackling Food Surplus at the Farm Gate scheme aims to strengthen links between farms and charities to reduce food surplus on farms.

Applicants can apply for grants starting from £20,000 by outlining how they intend to form relationships with farmers to access surplus food, and how they would seek to increase their capacity to redistribute this food to communities.

The funding can go towards purchasing new packaging and labelling equipment and vehicles to move goods from farms to a redistribution organisation, as well as new equipment, like fridges or freezers, to safely store food and ensure it lasts longer.

The fund is open to food redistribution charities and applications can be submitted online until 11:55am on 27 March 2025.

Commenting on the fund, Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh said: “Nobody wants to see good food go to waste – especially farmers who work hard to put food on our nation’s tables.

Nobody wants to see good food go to waste – especially farmers who work hard to put food on our nation’s tables.

“This fund will help charities work more closely with farmers to create new ways to get fresh produce to the people who need it most.

“I encourage our brilliant, dedicated redistribution charities and non-profits to apply for this funding to ensure more British fruit and veg gets to those who need it most.”

Every year an estimated 330,000 tonnes of edible food is either wasted or repurposed as animal feed before leaving farm gates.

In a joint statement, the CEOs of The Bread and Butter Thing, City Harvest, FareShare, The Felix Project and Co-Chairs of The Xcess Group said the fund presents an opportunity to make a “profound impact” by empowering communities and charities.

“By working across the charitable redistribution sector, we can help ensure that this scheme is implemented efficiently through our joint capacity, delivers tangible value to taxpayers, and helps millions of meals reach as many people as possible at a time of considerable need,” the statement said.

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Packaging Sustainability Specialist at Ecosurety Alison Appleby explores how the new recyclability assessment is shaking up the packaging industry and why producers should prepare now.

With the final version of the packaging Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) released by government in the last week of 2024, businesses are now starting to wrap their heads around the additional work required to use the RAM and the impact it will have on them.

What is the RAM?

The Recyclability Assessment Methodology (RAM) is the mechanism through which large producers (those companies with a turnover greater than £2 million and that supply or import more than 50 tonnes of packaging in the UK) will need to assess the recyclability of their household and shipment packaging and report it to government, under the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) regulations.

As businesses assess their packaging components using the RAM, each item will receive one of three ratings:

• Red – Difficult to recycle at scale.
• Amber – May experience challenges in the collection and recycling process.
• Green – Widely recyclable in the UK.

They will then need to report the tonnage of their household commonly street binned and shipment packaging into the relevant categories of “red”, “amber” and “green” from the October 2025 EPR data submission.

This information will be important, not only to understand the general recyclability of packaging placed on the market in the UK, but also to inform eco-modulation of Waste Management Fees (WMFs) payable by producers.

WMFs are being introduced to cover local authority packaging waste management costs and are a new cost for producers.

Base fees will be required in 2025, with eco-modulation based on the results of the RAM expected from 2026.

At this stage, government has not yet released information on what eco-modulation will look like. It is understood that packaging classed as “red” by the RAM will likely incur higher WMFs than those with an “amber”, and those with a “green” result.

However, we do not yet know to what extent “red” packaging will be more expensive than “green” packaging, and at this stage we only have a third release of illustrative base fees for 2025 to 2026, which are still subject to change before the final base fees are released sometime after April 2025.

What we do know is that the fees will be modulated within material types, as broken down by the material classifications of the RAM. These are:

• Paper and board;
• Fibre-based composite materials;
• Plastic (flexibles);
• Plastic (rigids);
• Steel;
• Aluminium;
• Glass;
• Wood;
• Other materials.

Challenges for industry

To successfully complete a RAM assessment, businesses will need a much greater level of detail on their packaging. This includes detail on packaging adhesives, label sizes, ink types, and additives – to name just a few.

When looking at the full RAM, there are almost 700 unique data points and features within its 6,500 words. This will be no small task for businesses and should be taken seriously.

One of the biggest challenges for industry will be the collection of this additional detail from suppliers and packaging manufacturers.

This will be a time-consuming task for most, and likely require a lot of back-and-forth enquiries trying to capture all the details required to complete a RAM assessment successfully.

This is because several of the features that will need to be considered as part of the RAM cannot be determined by simply looking at a physical packaging format – it’s about the material make-up of the packaging, which includes lots of new information not previously required for reporting purposes in the UK.

It was also announced in late February 2025 that an updated version of the RAM would be published around April 2025.

Given this news, many businesses are pressing pause on their assessment of packaging using the RAM due to uncertainty and the amount of work that will go into completing an assessment which may have to be completed again.

Expected industry response

One of the key objectives of the RAM is to incentivise the use of more recyclable packaging.

Since its publication, there has been significant talk within the industry around how to reduce the amount of packaging classified as “red” – packaging that is not recyclable.

Over the next few years, we predict several packaging format changes away from “red” non-recyclable packaging components to “green” readily recyclable packaging components as businesses attempt to reduce their costs as much as possible.

This will support the transition towards a circular economy for packaging as businesses move to more recyclable packaging.

We also anticipate movement away from the use of substances of very high concern under the UK Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals (REACH) and packaging containing intentionally added per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) as these result in an instant “red” outcome.

This will be beneficial for human and environmental health, and while not directly impacting recyclability functionally, it’s a good opportunity to phase-out these substances in line with bans occurring globally for these materials.

This also aligns with similar phase-outs and bans occurring throughout Europe.

Where to from here?

We are yet to know the full effects of the RAM. Businesses could have a knee-jerk reaction and change packaging that will have higher WMFs, but this could lead to unintended consequences in the long term. For example, in the case of flexible plastic packaging, which is not currently collected at kerbside.

This will be collected in England from 2027 once Simpler Recycling is in play and could receive an “upgrade” in terms of its RAM outcome in two years’ time.

Will we see businesses jump to alternatives in the interim, or will they foot the bill for it being “red” or “amber” in the short term?

Other businesses may wait until after the update to the RAM is made around April 2025. While waiting for certainty, this will give those businesses even less time to assess their packaging before the October submission.

At Ecosurety, we’re supporting businesses through this change. Implementing this new assessment for EPR is certainly complex, and we know this is causing concern about the task ahead.

In general, we know that detail will be required on inks, adhesives, laminations etc., so businesses should start to capture what they can now.

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Ahead of this year’s Festival of Circular Economy, Circular Online asks whether targeted legislation and regulation could be the missing link in accelerating the UK’s transition to a circular economy in the construction and textiles sectors.

Regulation is often seen as both a catalyst and a constraint. Yet, as the UK urgently strives toward a circular economy, particularly within the high-impact sectors of construction and textiles, thoughtful legislation may be exactly what is needed to drive transformative change.

The importance of this debate will be explored in depth at this year’s Festival of Circular Economy, with sessions highlighting regulatory innovation, collaboration, and best practices across industries. The theme for this year is around unleashing the power of design for circularity, focussing specifically on the built environment and textiles sectors – two of the most resource-intensive industries.

This focus resonates strongly with the pressing concerns detailed in recent industry analyses around the built environment and textile management, especially as climate targets loom large.

Construction and textiles, two distinctly different sectors, share remarkably similar hurdles. Both are significant contributors to carbon emissions and waste generation.

David Harris, CEO of Premier Modular, highlights that the construction sector alone accounts for approximately 3.5 million tonnes of CO2 emissions annually, primarily due to waste. Similarly, textiles contribute vast amounts of global waste and pollution, driven by fast fashion and consumption trends.

However, both sectors also share opportunities through circular economy practices – specifically reuse, recycling, and modular design – though meaningful progress appears to remain stalled without regulatory guidance and incentives.

Regulation as a driver of circular change

The UK’s road to net-zero has shown measurable progress, with greenhouse gas emissions halved between 1990 and 2023. Yet, critical delays in policy implementation mean further steps are urgently needed, especially in areas like “embodied carbon” (the carbon footprint “built into” an item or structure) and waste management.

As detailed by Harris, initiatives such as the government’s Zero Avoidable Waste in Construction Route map and the England Trees Action Plan have laid valuable groundwork. However, these initiatives need more robust regulatory frameworks to drive meaningful behaviour change and scale up circular practices industry-wide.

Similarly, regulation has emerged as a crucial lever for change within the textile sector through Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes. Jordan Girling, Head of EPR at WRAP, emphasises the viability of an EPR scheme for textiles in the UK, which could significantly boost domestic recycling infrastructure and shift producer behaviours towards circular design.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s recent report reinforces this, calling EPR a “necessary part” of addressing textile waste. This aligns with successful international examples, particularly France’s advanced EPR scheme, which includes incentives for repairing garments, thereby promoting a systemic shift away from disposable fashion.

The economic and environmental imperative

A comprehensive McKinsey and World Economic Forum study underscores the scale of opportunities available in circular construction.

The report suggests circular approaches could reduce construction emissions by up to 75% by 2050, saving as much as four gigatonnes of CO2 globally. Additionally, these circular practices could generate substantial financial benefits—up to $360 billion annually by mid-century.

Construction can learn significantly from textiles’ move towards EPR by adopting similar producer responsibility models.

Modular construction, highlighted by Harris, significantly reduces waste through precision manufacturing, controlled environments, and reusable components. Yet, without clear regulations, its widespread adoption remains limited.

Conversely, for textiles, EPR policies could push producers to design products with recycling, durability, and repair in mind from the outset, shifting consumer expectations and market dynamics fundamentally.

Legislative challenges and solutions

Despite evident benefits, introducing effective regulation in both sectors faces common barriers – political hesitancy, economic sensitivity, and gaps in data collection.

James Beard of Valpak highlights the UK textile industry’s particular barriers, such as poor-quality post-consumer textiles, underdeveloped recycling technologies, and a volatile global resale market.

Parallel challenges exist in construction, where Harris underscores the need for a staged approach to embodied carbon regulation, cautioning against hurried legislation that could harm industry competitiveness.

Addressing these barriers will require careful regulatory planning, significant investment in infrastructure, and fostering confidence in long-term circular initiatives.

Valerie Boiten of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation underscores this point, noting the essential role robust data plays in reassuring policymakers and industry stakeholders of the feasibility and impact of EPR schemes.

The paradox, Boiten argues, is that EPR itself may be the solution to the existing data gap, creating clearer metrics and transparency about product life cycles, waste streams, and recycling rates.

Lessons from leading practice

At the upcoming Festival of Circular Economy, scheduled sessions on day two (which is virtual to allow for global access) specifically address these critical regulatory and industry issues, spotlighting “Circularity in Construction: Scaling Up Innovation” and “Textiles and Fashion: Navigating the Circular Economy Transition.”

These sessions aim to offer practical insights, successful case studies, and collaborative solutions to address shared sectoral challenges.

Effective regulation could encourage adoption of innovative financial models in construction – like shifting from capital expenditure (CapEx) to operating expenditure (OpEx), as suggested by Harris, making renting or leasing modular structures financially attractive and environmentally beneficial.

For textiles, successful EPR implementation – exemplified by France’s evolution toward incentivising repair and reuse – is instructive.

This system not only recycles more efficiently but encourages businesses to fundamentally rethink their production and consumption models.

A circular future is possible

Realising a circular future for both construction and textiles is ambitious but achievable through targeted, evidence-based regulation. Such regulation must be designed to unlock innovation, drive market transformation, and overcome entrenched linear practices.

The opportunity to reshape these industries sustainably lies within reach – provided the UK can navigate the political, economic, and infrastructural challenges effectively.

The Festival of Circular Economy offers a critical platform to explore precisely these strategies, share experiences, and build consensus around ambitious, practical regulatory frameworks.

In conclusion, regulation is not merely an enforcement tool – if used properly, it can be the key to unlocking a genuinely circular economy, turning environmental ambition into everyday practice in two of the UK’s most impactful industries.

To explore these issues further and engage directly with experts and policymakers shaping the future of circularity, register for the Festival of Circular Economy today and join the conversation on building a sustainable tomorrow.

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A new Ellen MacArthur Foundation on reuse in the Global South has called for countries to set clear definitions and targets for reuse systems.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s report, written in partnership with WWF, explores the possibilities for reuse in the Global South by highlighting case studies of how companies in this region are using reuse models.

The Reuse in the Global South report says companies in the Global South are facing common challenges to scaling reuse solutions.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation highlighted that these challenges include access to finance required for upfront infrastructure investments and regulatory restrictions on delivering certain products in reusable packaging.

The case studies also found there is a lack of common guidelines and standards to ensure consistency in establishing reuse across value chains.

The Ellen MacArthur Foundation common guidelines are important because they facilitate collaboration, reduce complexity, ensure compatibility, build consumer confidence, simplify compliance, and accelerate innovation.

The report found to be most effective, reuse systems must be tailored to the local context. However, the Ellen MacArthur Foundation highlighted universal conditions that can support the transition to reuse systems.

Three policy priorities were highlighted in the report:

• Harmonised guidelines and regulations to support reuse;
• Setting clear definitions and targets for reuse systems alongside targets to reduce virgin plastic use can provide the impetus for companies to drive progress;
• Targeted incentives to support reuse initiatives, such as tax breaks or subsidies, while simultaneously introducing disincentives for single-use packaging.

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The European Commission has classified shredded battery waste, also known as “black mass”, as hazardous waste as part of plans to increase the circular management of batteries and critical raw materials.

The Commission updated the List of Waste last week as part of their goal to keep batteries and their critical raw materials in the European economy for longer.

Black mass, lithium-based, nickel-based, and zinc-based waste batteries, and sodium sulphur and alkaline waste batteries are now classed as hazardous.

The European List of Waste provides common terminology for identifying and classifying all different types of waste, including hazardous waste, which can be harmful to human health and the environment.

Access to shredded battery waste is essential for electric vehicle battery recycling. The Commission said the change will “pave the way” for a more sustainable automotive sector.

In accordance with the Basel Convention and the Waste Shipments Regulation, the Commission also said the change will allow them to better control shipments of black mass and ensure that black mass remains in the European economy.

The change is part of the battery regulation’s objective of shifting to a circular economy, increasing security of supply for raw materials and energy, and enhancing the EU’s strategic autonomy.

By keeping black mass longer in the economy we can boost battery recycling and our circular economy.

Commenting on the change, Jessika Roswall, Commissioner for Environment, Water Resilience and a Competitive Circular Economy, said: “To better protect the environment, the Commission will now classify black mass from batteries as hazardous waste.

“This will lead to better control of black mass shipments and especially a ban on its export to non-OECD countries.

“By keeping black mass longer in the economy we can boost battery recycling and our circular economy.”

New specific waste codes have also been introduced to identify and support the proper management of waste from different stages of the batteries’ life cycle.

These include waste from battery manufacturing, waste from post-consumer batteries, and intermediate fractions from battery recycling.

A new hazardous code for lithium-based batteries for separately collected municipal waste has also been added.

The amendment of the List of Waste will enter into force 20 days after its publication in the Official Journal of the EU if the European Parliament or the Council of the EU do not object to it.

The amendment also aims to improve protections for the environment and human health by ensuring the proper management of battery-related waste.

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Karen Graley has been appointed as the Head of the Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) for packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR).

The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the Industry Council for Packaging and the Environment (INCPEN) announced the appointment.

Graley has 30 years of experience working on packaging strategies across major UK retailers, including Safeway and Waitrose, and most recently in her role as Head of Packaging at Marks and Spencer.

Graley is also a founding member of the Board of Directors for the On-Pack Recycling Label (OPRL) scheme.

Reacting to her appointment, Karen Graley said: “I am truly honoured to be appointed as the Head of the PRO at this pivotal moment for the future of the UK’s recycling system.

“The PRO’s success hinges on collaboration between producers, industry stakeholders, local authorities, and the wider community.

“I look forward to working together with all these partners to drive collaboration so we can achieve the shared goals of improving recyclability and ensuring resources are used efficiently and effectively.”

Graley sits on the EPR Interim Steering Group, which was created to support the mobilisation of the scheme and the formation of the scheme’s administrator, PackUK. She was also previously on the Government’s Advisory Committee for Packaging.

The PRO is being established by packaging producers across all the sectors covered by EPR, led by FDF and the INCPEN, to ensure that the fees raised by producers contribute to an increase in recycling rates.

The organisation will act on behalf of producers to represent their views in the scheme, support local authorities, and attract investment into recycling infrastructure.

As Head of the PRO, Graley will work with PackUK and key stakeholders across the UK’s four governments to set up the PRO and ensure it achieves its purpose of delivering a circular economy for packaging.

Paul Vanston, Chief Executive Officer of INCPEN and Chartered Member of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM), commented: “We welcome Karen to her new role with enthusiasm and warmth at an incredibly important time to establish the PRO on firm foundations with Pack UK and the four UK governments.”

“INCPEN and the FDF are serious in our intent to create a PRO that delivers the highest quality economic and environmental outcomes for the UK, for obligated producers and across the value chain.”

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