UK Waste Legislation

UK waste legislation is essentially based on the interpretation and implementation of overarching EC legislation, e.g. the EC Landfill Directive is implemented through the Landfill Regulations (England and Wales Regulations 2002 as amended, though with separate legislation in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The raising of new or amended Acts and regulations on waste in England is generally coordinated by Government Departments such as DEFRA, with other departments also involved such as the DBERR (formerly DTI)in the case of producer responsibility and the DCLG in the case of waste planning legislation.

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WEEE - Approved producer compliance schemes at 1 March 2007 (05/03/2007)
On 1 March 2007, the environment agencies of the UK revealed the full list of approved producer compliance schemes. More...Local Government And Public Involvement In Health Bill - Explanatory note (07/02/2007)
The Bill was introduced in the Commons on 12 December and is progressing through the various stages at 7 February 2007. The explanatory note relates to the original bill, which is likely to have a major impact on local authorities in some areas. More...WEEE - Valpak's Distributor Take Back Scheme (DTS) (06/02/2007)
Valpak is urging both retailers and Local Authorities to participate in the WEEE Distributor Take Back Scheme (DTS) , and take advantage of its benefits. More...WEEE Regulations - explanatory note (25/01/2007)
Explanatory note to the The Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Regulations 2006. More...Understanding Landfill Targets and the Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (16/01/2007)
The UK needs to reduce the amount of waste it sends to landfill, to tackle climate change and to meet challenging EU targets set by the Landfill Directive, which fall in 2010,2013 and 2020. More...UK Statute Law Database (SLD) (22/12/2006)
The UK Statute Law Database (SLD) is the official revised edition of the primary legislation of the United Kingdom. More...House of Commons - General Information (18/12/2006)
Definitions of some terms More...Selection of waste management legislation and regulations (06/10/2006)
The following is a brief summary of some of the key UK legislation and regulations affecting England and Wales in particular on waste management. However the list is not comprehensive, nor exhaustive and there is much legislation applicable in Scotland and Northern Ireland that is not summarised. More...8th edition of the Approved Supply List must be used for Hazardous waste classification from 1 Nov 06 (25/09/2006)
The presence of a dangerous substance in waste can result in a hazardous waste classification. Dangerous substances are listed in the Approved Supply List (ASL) More...Recycling Credit modifications 2006 - Explanatory Note (12/03/2006)
Explanatory memo to the Environmental Protection (Waste Recycling Payments0 Regulations 2006 applicable in England. More...Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 in a nutshell (17/07/2004)
The Planning and Compulsory Purchase Act 2004 introduced a major new approach to the planning in England and Wales More...Important decision in landfill tax liability case - cover and engineering materials (01/09/2008)
Janet Jones, Partner, Tax Group, Eversheds LLP, writes about the Waste Recycling Group Ltd v Revenue and Customs Commissioners case. More...UK Government invites partnership approach on waste (10/06/2008)
Powers to create Joint Waste Authorities came into force last year as part of the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act. More...Views sought on radioactive waste disposal in Scotland (19/05/2008)
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) is seeking views on guidance to be issued on the principles and requirements for near-surface disposal facilities dealing with radioactive waste. More...New Environmental Permitting Regulations effective from this weekend (03/04/2008)
The new regulations will reduce red tape whilst protecting the environment and human health. More...UK Government to resolve local authority “tension” with waste definition (09/03/2008)
Defra has issued a report summarising comments on the Department's proposals to change the definition of municipal waste. More...Improved protection on waste exports for developing countries (11/01/2008)
Developing countries will be better protected against receiving unwanted waste from developed nations under revised international rules... More...Tachographs for refuse collection vehicles? (08/01/2008)
The Department of Transport has set out its opinion as to whether refuse collection vehicles (RCVs)should be subject to new tachograph regulations or not. More...UK Government consults on implementation of the EU Batteries Directive (04/01/2008)
A consultation paper on the implementation of the EU Batteries Directive has been issued by the Department for Business Enterprise and Regulatory Reform. More...UK makes WEEE progress and amending regulations issued (18/12/2007)
Official figures have been released, showing the progress made during the initial compliance period under the 2006 WEEE regulations. More...New environmental permit from April 2008 says Defra (12/10/2007)
Defra has said that a single environmental permit will be introduced under the Environmental Permitting Programme (EPP) from April 2008. More...Pet cemeteries no longer to be subject to PPC (18/09/2007)
Following a Government consultation earlier this year pet cemeteries are to be pulled out of the PPC regime. More...UK businesses unaware of tough new treatment requirements (03/09/2007)
Most UK businesses are unaware of and unprepared for regulations that require all businesses to treat their own non-hazardous waste before landfill disposal from 31 October. More...Defra moves to cut waste ‘red tape’ (19/07/2007)
Defra has issued a consultation paper on further draft guidance for the proposed Environmental Permitting Regulations. More...New rules for exporting recyclables from today says Environment Agency (12/07/2007)
New rules affecting the export of waste for recycling such as paper, cardboard and certain types of plastic and metal came into force today. More...New rules tackle illegal waste exports (22/06/2007)
The Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations 2007 affects the range of powers available for controlling the export of waste from the UK. More...London’s Mayor objects to new Recycling Board (15/06/2007)
The Mayor has told the Government that he sees no purpose in participating in a Board which has no statutory powers to deliver ‘real change on the ground'. More...Packaging Regulations, 2007 now in force (04/04/2007)
The 2007 Packaging Regulations consolidate the original 1997 Regulations with all of the subsequent amending Statutory Instruments and they also incorporate the changes made to the Regulations in 2007 as a result of a major public consultation exercise. More...Site Waste Management Plans to cut waste (02/04/2007)
Proposals for reducing the 109 million tones of waste produced by the UK construction industry every year were published today for consultation by Defra. More...SEPA launches “Better waste regulation” consultation (02/04/2007)
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) and the Scottish Executive have launched a consultation exercise. More...Agency urges WEEE producers to sign up (30/03/2007)
The Environment Agency urges producers to continue to sign up to WEEE schemes. More...Environmental Permitting Programme consultation - response summary (12/03/2007)
Defra has issued the Environmental Permitting Programme summary of responses on the second consultation. The consultation was on the proposals for creating a streamlined environmental permitting and compliance system. More...Series of WEEE deadlines looming (05/03/2007)
Several deadline or target dates relating to the WEEE regulations are rapidly approaching following the publication by the Environment Agency of the full list of producer compliance schemes. More...WEEE - DTI issues guidance on the WEEE Regulations (01/03/2007)
The Department for Trade and Industry (DTI) yesterday issued guidance notes on the WEEE Regulations. More...London wide waste authority rebuffed in the Commons (28/02/2007)
In a debate yesterday on the Greater London Authority Bill, Karen Buck moved the second reading of amendments to Clause 1 of the Bill which were aimed at the introduction of a London wide waste authority. More...Commons to debate single London Waste Authority today (27/02/2007)
The Commons is due to debate amendments introduced by a group of MPs to establish a single waste authority for London to achieve a more sustainable approach to waste management that will place more emphasis on recycling and reduce the influence of incineration. More...Exports - Consultation on waste exports ends soon (26/02/2007)
Defra's consultation on the review of the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste is due to end shortly. More...EA approve more WEEE Producer Compliance Schemes (26/02/2007)
Following the initial approval of 5 Producer Compliance Schemes earlier this month, the Environment Agency has now produced an updated list of schemes at the 23 February together with a provisional list of schemes which may be subject to later approval. More...LGA says leaked pay-as-you-throw proposals 'unhelpful and unnecessary' (22/02/2007)
Council leaders have spoken out against proposals outlined in the leaked Number 10 dossier for the introduction of a blanket ‘pay-as-you-throw’ system for charging for the disposal of household waste. More...SEPA approves WEEE compliance schemes (22/02/2007)
The Scottish Environmental Protection Agency has revealed that it has approved a number of producer compliance schemes (PCSs) under the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations, 2006. More...West London WDA have to seek judicial review (15/02/2007)
West London Waste Disposal Authority have been granted a judicial review in relation to some aspects of the London Mayor’s powers. More...PRNs - regulatory changes following going electronic (14/02/2007)
In order to support the maintenance and development of the NPWD, Defra ha indicated that there will be a corresponding increase in fees. More...Agency approves WEEE compliance schemes (13/02/2007)
The Environment Agency recently issued a list of approved compliance schemes under the requirements of the WEEE regulations. More...News bites (07/02/2007)
REPIC introduces cradle to grave tracking for WEEE. The Independent wages war on waste. Holmen keen to get going with Tilbury Dock MRF. Balcan gets approval for on-site lamp crushing. More...Valpak's WEEE Distributor Take Back Scheme (DTS) (06/02/2007)
Valpak is urging both retailers and Local Authorities to participate in the WEEE Distributor Take Back Scheme (DTS) , and take advantage of its benefits. More...Shrewsbury under pressure to axe weekly bin collections (06/02/2007)
Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council face a £240,000 per annum financial shortfall if they continue to collect residual waste on a weekly basis. More...Company pleads guilty to breaches of Transfrontier Shipment Regs (news in brief) (05/02/2007)
A waste company which handles household waste from London and the Home Counties, pleaded guilty on Friday last to illegally exporting household waste. More...Waste pre-treatment before landfilling from 30 October 2007 (02/02/2007)
New guidance has been issued on the requirement for non-hazardous waste treatment prior to landfilling, as required by the Landfill Directive. Waste pre-treatment comes into effect on 30 October 2007. More...EA issues WEEE reminder (02/02/2007)
Companies who produce electrical and electronic equipment are being reminded by the Environment Agency to register in order to comply with the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) Regulations. More...Bids for unitary status will affect the face of waste management (29/01/2007)
Local Government Secretary Ruth Kelly has confirmed that DCLG received 26 proposals from councils across England wishing to become unitary authorities. More...Joint waste authorities on the cards (23/01/2007)
Ruth Kelly proposes to amend the local government bill to allow Joint Waste Authorities More...Government consults on Environmental Permitting Guidance (22/01/2007)
Defra has issued a third consultation under the Environmental Permitting Programme (EPP), providing guidance on a new environmental permitting system for England and Wales. More...Amendment tabled for single London Waste Authority (17/01/2007)
Karen Buck, Labour MP for Regent's Park & Kensington North, has tabled an amendment to the Greater London Authority Bill that could lead to a single Waste Authority for the London area. More...Legal issues in brief (03/01/2007)
Chaotic scenes after decision on recycling plant taken. Duty of Care consultation seminars. Persistent Organic Pollutants consultation. Management of healthcare wastes. Electronic COSHH Essentials Website. More...ELV Regulations implemented from 1 January 2007 (02/01/2007)
The End of Life Vehicle Regulations are implemented from 1 January. The regulations give car owners an entitlement to have their old (End of Life Vehicles or ELVs) vehicles taken off them free of charge known as "free take back". More...End of Life Vehicles Directive fully effective in UK from 1 January 2007 (02/01/2007)
The End of Life Vehicles (Producer Responsibility) Regulations were laid in Parliament on 9th February 2005. They completed the UK's implementation of The End of Life Vehicles (ELV) Directive (2000/53/EC). More...News Bytes (22/12/2006)
English Partnerships has issued a Brownfield Guide. Local Government on track to deliver a further £1.3 billion efficiency gains. UK Statute Law Database (SLD) publicised More...News Bites (20/12/2006)
OSS Group gets reprieve. Household recycling rates continue to rise. More...DEFRA reviews waste imports and exports (18/12/2006)
Defra is undertaking a review of the Transfrontier Shipment of Waste Regulations and the UK Management Plan for Exports and Imports of Waste. More...Variable charging still in the balance (15/12/2006)
In a debate in the House of Commons Ben Bradshaw was asked what progress he was making on the review of the national waste strategy. More...New WEEE Regulations laid before Parliament (12/12/2006)
Producers of electrical, and electronic equipment (EEE) will from July 2007 be required to meet the environmental costs of dealing with waste products under new regulations published today. More...Stirling Council fined £7500 for leachate discharges from landfill (08/12/2006)
Stirling Council has been fined £7500 for discharging excessive amounts of leachate from its Lower Polmaise landfill site into a river. More...NFU Scotland claims victory in composting waste exemptions (08/12/2006)
NFU Scotland has secured an important win in relation to biobed and composting regulations within the Waste Management Licensing system. More...Barker Review - major infrastructure projects (06/12/2006)
Kate Barker's proposals included a radical overhaul of the planning system for major infrastructure projects, including transport, waste and energy, to improve speed and certainty. More...Environment Agency welcomes High Court ruling on waste oils (06/12/2006)
The Environment Agency has welcomed the High Court ruling made at the end of November, on the burning of waste as fuel. More...Barker proposes planning system for the 21st century (05/12/2006)
The report highlights the vital role planning needs to play to deliver sustainable economic development in the context of the pressures of a growing population, rising incomes......... More...Inspector's decision on Brogborough 'extension' expected in January (04/12/2006)
A decision on controvertial plans to extend the life of Brogborough landfill site, is expected in January 2007 following a public inquiry. More...Consultation paper launched on waste crime prevention (30/11/2006)
DEFRA considers that elements of the duty of care regime can represent an opportunity for waste crime, rather than a deterrent. More...GLA Bill published (29/11/2006)
The Government has published the Greater London Authority Bill proposing enhanced powers for the GLA (the Mayor of London and the London Assembly) with the intention of giving greater leadership on strategic issues across London. More...Residents celebrate victory in the High Court (28/11/2006)
A Denholm resident and town councillor, together with colleagues, are celebrating victory at the High Court relating to Buck Park Quarry near Bradford. More...Scottish Executive considers establishing an environmental court (24/11/2006)
Proposals to improve the enforcement of environmental law, including the law on waste management, have been published in a consultation paper which looks at ways in which the criminal justice system could work better. More...England easily achieves 2005/06 LATS allowance (20/11/2006)
England has made a good start towards meeting its first tough EU targets of sending less biodegradable waste (cardboard, garden and food waste) to landfill. More...The municipal waste tide has turned? (17/11/2006)
DEFRA have indicated that the currently issued municipal waste management statistics for 2005-06 may indicate that the historic tide in the growth of waste has turned. More...End of line for paper based PRNs (14/11/2006)
The Packaging Federation has said that the new E-PRNs and PERNs will commence in January 2007. This will mark the end of the paper based version. More...European Waste Catalogue (EWC) (10/11/2006)
The EWC is a crucial element of waste legislation and regulation providing a consistent way of classifying wastes across the European Union. More...Firm fined for using untreated waste in community woodland planting project (08/11/2006)
A company pleaded guilty today at Ayr Sheriff Court to disposing of untreated waste between May and October 2004. More...Temporary stop notices available for unauthorised landfills under new guidance (07/11/2006)
New guidance for local authorities on how to take planning enforcement action was outlined today, including comment on the existing enforcement action that came out of the Review of Planning Enforcement More...British Plastics Federation urges Government action on energy (13/10/2006)
The British Plastics Federation (BPF) has repeated key points for the UK Government's consumption in its to pursuit of a sustainable energy policy. More...English WDAs meet LATS limits - provisionally (12/10/2006)
According to an interim statement from DEFRA, all waste disposal authorities in England have successfully met their LATS limits for the first year of the Landfill Allowances Trading Scheme. More...'Its in the bag' as DEFRA calls for voluntary code (news in brief) (12/10/2006)
DEFRA and the devolved administrations have invited major UK retail groups to discuss a voluntary code of practice aimed at reducing the number of plastic and paper bags distributed to consumers. More...Scrap dealer contravenes End-of-Life Vehicle Regs (09/10/2006)
A scrap yard owner has been ordered to pay £18,905 for failing to dispose of waste vehicles and vehicle parts properly and for running a site without the correct Waste Management Licence. More...One week only to WEEE consultation deadline (09/10/2006)
Readers are reminded that the recent consultation on the implementation of WEEE will come to a close on the 17 October 2006 (on Tuesday next). More...DEFRA issues model LATS contract (05/10/2006)
Defra has published a Model Landfill Allowance Trading Scheme (LATS) Trading Agreement to assist local authorities in drawing up formal contracts when trading their allowances. The model contract is also supported by a set of guidance notes. More...8th edition of the Approved Supply List must be used for Hazardous waste classification from 1 Nov (25/09/2006)
The presence of a dangerous substance in waste can result in a hazardous waste classification. Dangerous substances are listed in the Approved Supply List (ASL) More...DEFRA consultation on amendments to the Packaging Waste Regulations 2005 (30/08/2006)
The recent consultation launch from DEFRA, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly on amendments to the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2005 was reported by MoreThanWaste – see article of 29.8.06 – and a further report on the consultation document is summarized below. More...DEFRA issue consultation on amendments to the Packaging Waste Regulations 2005 (29/08/2006)
DEFRA, the Scottish Executive and the Welsh Assembly Government have issued a consultation paper for changes to the producer responsibility legislative regime for packaging and packaging waste as contained in the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2005. More...DEFRA has issued a report on its investigation – ‘fact finding mission’ – into the paper packaging waste industry (15/08/2006)
A government investigation into allegations against parts of the paper packaging waste industry has uncovered ‘inappropriate practices’ by a number of exporters, though no evidence of fraud was found. More...Environment Agency to deal with radioactive contaminated land (07/08/2006)
Changes to land contamination rules set out how radioactive contaminated land should be dealt with. The changes came into force on 4 August and set out how radioactive contaminated land should be dealt with by the Environment Agency and local authorities. More...The Government Aims to Improving Regulatory Impact Assessments (RIAs) (31/07/2006)
A public consultation on a proposed new Impact Assessment process was recently issued by Hilary Armstrong, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster. More...EIA - Advice for Outline Planning Consents (13/07/2006)
Interim guidance has been issued by the Department of Communities and Local Government (DCLG) following the outcome of ECJ judgements relating to the requirement for revisions to an EIA where necessary, at the approval of reserve matters stage following the issue of an outline planning consent. More...Northern Ireland Introduces Controls on Agricultural and Mining Waste (11/07/2006)
The Waste Management Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2006 are to bring Agricultural and Mining waste under waste management controls amongst other issues. More...DEFRA Guidance on the Incineration of Waste (10/07/2006)
The DEFRA guidance to the Directive, the Regulations and directions describes the scope, regulatory and technical requirements of the WID and how they should be interpreted and applied. More...UK cement manufacturers comply with new Waste Incineration Directive (04/01/2006)
According to the British cement Association, all four members of the British Cement Association – Buxton Lime Industries, Castle Cement, Cemex UK and Lafarge UK – are in full compliance with the Waste Incineration Directive (WID) which came into force on 28 December 2005. More...DEFRA's position on non-collection of side waste in a letter of 26 August 2005 (26/08/2005)
The following text is extracted from a letter issued by DEFRA date 26 August 2005 and sent to all waste collection authorities (WCAs) in England. The letter outlined the Departments position on non-collection of side waste at that time and originated from the Local Authority Waste Performance (LAWP) More...Explanatory Notes to Waste And Emissions Trading Act 2003 - 2003 Chapter 33 (23/11/2003)
These explanatory notes relate to the Waste and Emissions Trading Act 2003. They have been prepared by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs in order to assist the reader in understanding the Act. They do not form part of the Act and have not been endorsed by Parliament. More...