WRAP’s Household Food Management Survey shows a 21% increase in self-reported food waste for the four key food items monitored: bread, milk, potatoes and chicken.

Self-reported waste of the four key products – bread, milk, chicken, and potatoes – has been slowly rising since 2020, which WRAP says is the fourth highest on record since May 2018.

As part of Food Waste Action Week, Love Food Hate Waste has published its annual Household Food Management Survey giving a snapshot of the nation’s behaviours and attitudes towards food.

In June 2024, 21% of the four key products were wasted and 27% of respondents classified as high food wasters.

86% agree that food waste is an important national issue. However, 10% of respondents said they were comfortable wasting food and a further 17% were ambivalent.

On a per capita basis, the latest survey suggests that 27% of UK citizens classify as “higher” food wasters. Certain groups were significantly more likely to be classified as being high food wasters based on certain factors.

33% of 18-34-year-olds and 35-44-year-olds were likely to be higher food wasters. Larger households, those with a size of four people, were also more likely to be classified in this category (36%).

Love Food Hate Waste also found a disparity between people’s perception of their own waste and the reality, with nearly 8 out of 10 interviewees believing they waste less than the average.

Because most fruit and veg is sold packaged, we have to buy what we’re given not what we need, and that means a lot goes to waste.

Jackie Baily, Senior Campaign Manager Love Food Hate Waste, said: “We see fresh produce as the real kitchen victim when it comes to food waste.

“Because most fruit and veg is sold packaged, we have to buy what we’re given not what we need, and that means a lot goes to waste.

“As a result, our bins have a diet that most nutritionists would envy. And we’re a long way from breaking our food waste habit because of this packaging.”

When it comes to buying loose, the survey showed people prefer not having a date label on loose fresh produce and are happy to use judgement alone on when fruit and vegetables are still good to eat far more than a Best Before date.

WRAP says an estimated 60,000 tonnes of food waste could be prevented if all apples, potatoes and bananas were sold loose.

Love food Hate Waste has put forward a range of recommendations to help mitigate against household food waste.

These include:

• making it easier to purchase the right amount of food through better access to loose produce;
• introducing smaller pack sizes at comparable prices and stopping in-store promotions encouraging over-purchasing for perishable foods, such as multibuy offers;
• and enhancing individual citizens’ skills in meal planning and portion estimation.

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As the EU grapples with shifting waste generation trends dominated by construction, demolition, and recycling residues, Waste Robotics’ André Matula explores the challenges and solutions shaping the future of Europe’s circular economy.

The European Union’s waste landscape is undergoing significant changes, presenting considerable challenges and opportunities as the bloc seeks to strengthen its circular economy.

Recent Eurostat data highlights evolving trends, notably the continued dominance of construction and demolition (C&D) waste, along with substantial impacts from mining, quarrying, and secondary waste arising from recycling and energy recovery.

In 2020, the EU generated around 2,153 million tonnes of waste, with construction and demolition activities contributing the largest share at 37%.

This underlines the ongoing challenge of effectively managing C&D waste, especially given the continued renewal and renovation of Europe’s ageing infrastructure.

Mining and quarrying accounted for 23% of total waste, emphasising the significant environmental implications of extractive industries.

Between 2005 and 2020, the EU observed notable shifts in waste generation patterns. Particularly striking is the 176% increase in waste from waste and water services.

This surge is primarily due to increased recycling activities and energy recovery processes.

While these advancements signal progress towards sustainability goals, they simultaneously create significant secondary waste streams, most notably residues from incineration and material recovery, that pose additional management challenges.

One paradoxical consequence of higher recycling rates is the rising volume of residual materials. While recycling efforts improve, managing the by-products effectively remains a critical concern.

The construction sector exemplifies this challenge clearly. Traditional management practices, such as landfill disposal or rudimentary sorting, are inadequate to meet growing efficiency and sustainability demands.

Consequently, there is increasing emphasis across the EU on technological innovation to enhance waste sorting accuracy and overall recovery rates.

Emerging solutions within the industry increasingly rely on automation and artificial intelligence. For example, robotic sorting technologies are gaining prominence due to their ability to efficiently separate diverse materials within complex waste streams, such as those from construction sites.

AI-powered robotics can improve material recovery, reduce contamination, and lower reliance on manual sorting, enhancing the quality and recyclability of recovered resources.

Companies such as Waste Robotics have emerged as part of this broader technological shift, demonstrating how robotic systems can support more efficient and environmentally sound practices within waste management facilities.

Mining and quarrying present distinct but related challenges. The vast quantities of overburden, tailings, and residues produced by these activities pose significant environmental risks, including water contamination and landscape degradation.

Addressing these requires the implementation of circular economy principles through innovations in resource recovery, alongside regulatory frameworks that mandate responsible industry practices.

Moreover, the sharp rise in secondary waste – particularly residues from incineration like bottom ash and fly ash – highlights an urgent need for sustainable management approaches.

Developing methods to extract valuable materials from these residues, or repurposing them for use in construction or manufacturing, is a crucial next step towards a more circular waste management system.

To effectively address these challenges, integrated waste management strategies must

become standard practice across the EU. Strong collaboration between waste generators, technology innovators, and policymakers will be essential.

Regulatory frameworks should encourage innovation, infrastructure investment, and clear standards for managing recycling by-products.

Public awareness and consumer engagement are equally important. Educational initiatives designed to enhance responsible waste disposal practices and waste minimization at the household and industrial levels can significantly alleviate downstream pressures.

As the EU continues navigating this complex landscape, balancing technological advancements, policy initiatives, and public involvement will be pivotal.

The path towards sustainability depends on holistic approaches that combine improved waste management technologies, regulatory clarity, and active community participation.

Only then can Europe confidently address its evolving waste generation challenges and progress toward a sustainable circular economy.

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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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72% of Welsh voters say protecting the Welsh countryside and waterways through recycling was a “top political priority”.

The research, commissioned by Alupro, polled 1,100 adults in Wales and was conducted between 7 and 9 March by Redfield and Wilton Strategies on behalf of Alupro.

The poll also revealed 56% of Welsh voters approve of the Welsh Government’s record on recycling.

Wales’s local authority recycling rate is 66.6%, currently the highest council recycling performance of any UK nation.

Wales is also set to introduce a deposit return scheme for drinks containers that will include glass as an in-scope material.

“Despite a growing worldwide clamour to water down green policies, Welsh voters clearly care deeply about the environment,” Tom Giddings, Executive Director at Alupro, said.

Despite a growing worldwide clamour to water down green policies, Welsh voters clearly care deeply about the environment.

“As an industry, we are clear that higher recycling rates are good for people and planet. Delivering consistent local authority kerbside collections is key to ensuring all recyclable packaging is collected for recycling.”

The poll was released to coincide with an event in the Senedd hosted by Alupro and attended by Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies.

The event is set to include speeches from a host of figures including Janet Finch-Saunders MS, Shadow Cabinet Secretary for Climate Change and Environment (Conservative), Mike Hedges MS, Member, Senedd Climate, Nature and Wellbeing Cross Party Group (Labour), and Owen Derbyshire, Chief Executive Officer, Keep Wales Tidy.

Alupro is an industry-funded, not-for-profit organisation that represents the UK’s aluminium packaging industry.

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A Lincolnshire waste crime offender has been ordered to pay £278,492.92 after the Environment Agency discovered his undeclared assets.

Simon Mason, 54, was ordered to pay hugely increased proceeds of crime on top of the £8,317.02 he paid after being sentenced in 2021.

Mason’s case was reopened after the Environment Agency learned of changes in his financial position.

It was discovered that he owned a property that he had not declared at the time of his sentencing.

Mason was originally prosecuted in the summer of 2021 for waste crime offences and given a suspended prison sentence for storing and burning waste illegally at a site in Holbeach, Lincolnshire.

At Lincoln Crown Court, it was re-calculated that Mason benefited from his illegal waste activities by £286,809.94.

He was given three months to pay the remainder or serve five years imprisonment, and was ordered to make a £1,500 contribution towards the Environment Agency’s costs.

Peter Stark, Environment Agency Enforcement Team Leader, said: “Waste criminals should be aware how seriously we take their offending, including the benefit they obtain from their illegal activities.

“They won’t get away with concealing information or their assets, and due to the EA’s hard work, justice was served.”

During the initial investigation, the Environment Agency said its officers visited the Holbeach site on six occasions and told Mason verbally and in writing to stop bringing waste to the site and burning it.

However, on returning to the site, the Environment Agency said officers found more waste had been brought to the site and burned.

Waste observed at the site during the multiple visits included household waste, furniture, mattresses, clothing, paint cans, toilets, televisions and numerous fridges, classed as hazardous waste and require specialist disposal.

Some of the rubbish had been burned, prompting neighbours to complain about the smoke generated.

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Ahead of Resource Conference Cymru next week (26 March), resource efficiency adviser Brian Mayne FCIWM discusses the recent CIWM Cymru visit to the Pura NappiCycle facility in Capel Hendre, Wales.

I recently joined a CIWM Cymru site visit to the Pura NappiCycle facility in Capel Hendre, West Wales. NappiCycle offers a unique and innovative treatment system for the recovery of cellulose and plastics from absorbent hygiene products (AHP).

AHP covers a range of multi-material products used in everyday life – such as disposable nappies, incontinence pads and feminine hygiene products – which are mostly made of absorbent tissue-fibre and plastic.

They account for over 3% of the household waste and recycling that we produce as a country. Based on WRAP’s compositional analysis, Wales produces approximately 47,000 tonnes of AHP a year, including almost 150 million nappies.

Craig Masters, Operations Manager, and Rhiannon Chapple, Technical Manager, gave an illustrative talk on the background and the development of the project as well as a tour of the site.

What did we learn on the tour?

The presentation began by highlighting that director Rob Poyer developed the business concept over 15 years ago, leading to a partnership with eco-friendly baby products company Pura in 2020.

Craig and Rhiannon explained that AHP is collected from the kerbside by over a third of Welsh local authorities and transported to the site for treatment.

Once the material arrives at the facility, it is washed and shredded and the plastics separated from the cellulose fibre.

This fibre fraction is then used for a range of applications, including notice boards. It is also currently being trialled for use in the manufacture of fibreboard and wood-plastic composite.

Other applications currently undergoing research and development include the use of the end product in road construction.

In 2022, they were supported by the Welsh Government as part of a scheme to resurface the A487 road in Wales with the fibre from nappies being added to the bitumen – the binder that holds the asphalt together.

The company has also worked on a trial project to surface roads with recycled nappies collected by Carmarthenshire County Council.

The nappies recycled into fibrous pellets were delivered to local contractor GD Harries who fused them into the Stone Mastic Asphalt (SMA) surfacing material which was laid onto a road for surface improvement.

The first project diverted four tonnes of nappies, which is approximately 80,000 nappies from landfills. As well as the environmental benefits of repurposing nappy waste, this asphalt formula is expected to make the road quieter and longer lasting.

The aim is now to make this product available more widely for asphalt laying companies.

What innovations are possible?

Continuing the theme of innovation with local companies, we were informed of a unique project between NappiCycle and the Bluestone National Park Resort who are the world’s first holiday destination to use its own customers’ nappies to provide enhanced asphalt in paths on site.

NappiCycle recently commissioned a Life Cycle Analysis to evaluate the environmental impacts at each stage of their process, enabling customers to determine the carbon benefits of using the service.

There is no doubt that there are numerous advantages to be gained from nappy recycling, especially for councils looking to collect refuse every three weeks or longer as one of the main obstacles is the storage of AHP for such extended periods.

Additionally, recycling this waste contributes to the overall recycling rate of local authorities. It also has financial benefits, with estimates that local authorities saved £442,421 in 2023/24.

As for the future, the company is going from strength to strength as they get ready to accept nappies from Bristol, consider expanding the treatment capability by establishing a similar site in East Wales, and continue to research additional applications for the product from the process.

Ben Maizey, chair of CIWM Cymru thanked Rhia and Craig on behalf of the delegation for their time and praised their enthusiasm and commitment.

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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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SUEZ recycling and recovery UK’s new £30 million Material Recycling Facility is set to be fully complete this summer following a fire in 2022.

The rebuild began last year and the exterior of the building is now complete, with interior contractors now mobilising on site.

SUEZ manage the waste and recycling on behalf of Aberdeen City Council. When complete, SUEZ says the material recovery facility (MRF) will have the capacity to process around 60,000 tonnes of recycling every year.

This includes glass, cardboard, newspaper, plastics and metals, collected from households across Aberdeen and Scotland.

Alongside the MRF rebuild, the site will also be home to offices, a waste transfer station, and a visitor centre.

The waste transfer station allows council vehicles to tip off their household residual waste before it is bulked up for processing elsewhere.

Aberdeen City Council co-leader Councillor Ian Yuill commented: “Having a local recycling facility back in place will be a vital step towards a full service solution for improving the quality and quantity of the recyclables we send for reprocessing.

“Having our own facility for managing our recycling helps us provide the best possible recycling collection service for our citizens.”

The offices and waste transfer station are expected to be complete and in use by spring 2025, with plans being developed for the visitor centre to open alongside the full facility later in the year.

SUEZ says groups and schools can visit the centre to learn more about the way that their waste is managed and how everyone can work to reduce consumption and waste.

Specialist contractors Sutco have been appointed to install the machinery that will separate out waste streams at the MRF.

Colin Forshaw, Production Operations Manager for SUEZ, commented: “It is fantastic to see Sutco out on site, installing the machinery that will enable us to start separating out the recyclable materials from households here in Aberdeen once again.

“It’s a busy year for our team in Aberdeen, with lots of positives in relation to waste and recycling and we’re looking forward to being able to host community groups here in the new onsite visitor education centre to tell them more.”

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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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