Apart from Gavin & Stacey, which no one should have missed over Christmas (tidy!), here are some news snippets that may have passed you by over the festive period.
On Christmas Eve the UK government announced that it will publish a Public Participation Strategy on climate change next year. This is big news, and important for all those working in, or involved with climate change mitigation and adaptation in the UK. It could have implications for many different businesses including electric vehicle manufacturers, wind farm developers or heat pump installers to name a few. These products need a market, and therefore understanding how to engage the public would be critical for this.
Two weeks ago the government launched its Circular Economy Taskforce (link here). The task force will be working to establish the first strategy to begin a transition into a circular economy in England. The aim is to create green jobs, support economic growth, and promote the efficient use of resources in order to accelerate the transition to net zero. The aim is to drive economic growth by stimulating investment in technologies, sectors and infrastructure that will facilitate resource circularity.[1]
The Environment Agency (EA) have also released a number of updated standard rules guidance on waste management operations including treatment of waste to produce soils, C, D & E waste transfer stations, non-hazardous waste transfer stations, HWRCs, MRFs and waste wood treatment.[2] In addition, two new guidance documents on choosing and registering waste exemptions have also been published. The first document explains how to choose appropriate waste exemptions for waste management activities and comply with exemption conditions. The second outlines the steps required to register, deregister, or update waste exemptions for storing, treating, using, or disposing of waste.[3]
In other news, the EA announced that the use of new WEEE codes will be commencing in 2025. The EA called upon importers and exporters of waste electrical and electronic equipment to prepare for changes that will be commencing on the 1st of January. From this time, a notification from a competent authority prior to the export or import of WEEE will be required. The amendment aims to address the need for better regulation of WEEE shipments with the intention to help protect human health and the environment.[4] Please note that new codes do not cover components or fractions of whole WEEE that are currently covered by specific codes.
Finally, this week, ministers have stated that new rules announced on 30th December, will limit the development of new waste incinerators which burn rubbish to produce electricity. The government are now proposing that new incinerators in England can only
progress if they meet ‘strict requirements’ such as ensuring that they reduce the amount of rubbish going to landfill, or replace older, less efficient incinerators.[1] This announcement was accompanied by a Residual waste infrastructure capacity note, available here.
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[1] https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cvgrl72e975o
[1] https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/circular-economy-taskforce-is-launched/
[2] https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/standard-rules-environmental-permitting#waste-transfer-station-or-amenity-site-with-or-without-treatment
[3] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/choosing-waste-exemptions-for-waste-management-activity
[4] https://www.letsrecycle.com/news/ea-announces-new-weee-codes-commencing-in-2025/
