An opportunity for Fit for the Future members to have an update from (and ask questions of) the Environment Agency.

The new Simpler Recycling regulations came into effect in England on the 31st March 2025 and will be applied to micro firms (fewer than 10 full-time equivalent employees) on 31st March 2027. The regulations require all workplaces in England to separate their waste before it is collected, including any waste produced by employees, customers and visitors.

The UK Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) will launch on 1 October 2027 across England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.  Consumers will pay a refundable deposit when buying drinks in eligible single-use plastic and metal containers, which is redeemed by returning empty containers to designated return points. All retailers that sell DRS items must host a return point for drinks containers, unless they qualify for an exemption. The return point can be manual or automated using a reverse vending machine (an automated recycling machine that accepts empty beverage containers (like plastic bottles and aluminum cans) and returns the deposit.

Following on from our very successful member’s webinar with the Environment Agency (June 25), we are delighted to announce that the Environment Agency will once again be providing Fit for the Future members with an overview on the Simpler Recycling regulations and also the Deposit Return Scheme; answering any questions you might have.

The Environment Agency will cover:

·       Who the Simpler Recycling regulations apply to and what is required

·       The materials in scope

·       What organisations need to do

·       How the Environment Agency will assess compliance

·       Who the Deposit Return Scheme applies to and what is required

·       The drink containers in scope

·       What organisations need to do, including the operation of manual or automated (reverse vending machines) return points.

·       How the Environment Agency will assess compliance

There will also be details of resources and support.

All members are very welcome to attend, whether you are directly involved in your organisation’s waste recycling or would like to find out more about the scheme.  Please do circulate details to any colleagues from your organisation that this webinar would be of interest and use to you, we would love to see them there.  Ahead of the webinar, please do send the Fit for the Future team any questions you would like us to ask the Environment Agency.

The Environment Agency is the environmental regulator for England and the Simpler Recycling regulations apply to England only.  The webinar will however focus on general approaches to recycling and the discussion will include current equivalents in other countries.  We hope that all Fit for the Future members throughout the UK will find this webinar of use.