Welcome to the environmental policy and consultations calendar; your main reference point to keep abreast of all current and upcoming environmental legislative developments
The calendar is continually updated by our Policy Team in line with government announcements. Click on each calendar entry to read more information about that event and note the key below the calendar to understand the status of each entry.
2021 is a key year where we will see the Resources and Waste Strategy secondary consultations covering the Plastic Tax, Extended Producer Responsibility, Consistent Collections and a Deposit Return Scheme for England. This may be the last opportunity to feed in policy changes that will see a complete overhaul of the waste management infrastructure in the UK. We will be communicating when these consultations are released and sharing how producers can share their views, as well as how we can support with responses.
If you have any queries or would like further information about any of the below policy events, please contact our dedicated, in-house Policy Leader Martin Hyde who will be happy to help - consultation@complydirect.com / 01756 706 577
2020
Q1
Q2
Q3
Consultations/Regulation Review
The UK's upcoming plastic packaging tax consultation closed on 20 August 2020
Q4
2021 - 2023 Packaging Targets Released
Consultations/Regulation Review
Estimated
DEFRA confirmed they would wait ‘as late as possible’ in 2020 to set the packaging targets due to the Covid situation.
2021
Q1
New Regulation Launch
The EU has agreed a levy to be placed on all non-recyclable plastic packaging waste handled by its member states from 1 January 2021.
New Regulation Launch
The EU have banned exports of contaminated and highly mixed plastic (known as Y48) waste to non-OECD countries.
UK Environmental Bill Follow-up
New Regulation Launch
Estimated
More information and a follow up on the UK Environmental Bill is due
Consultations/Regulation Review
The second round of packaging consultations for Extended Producer Responsibility has been delayed until 2021
Consultations/Regulation Review
DRS Consultation - the second round of packaging consultations for Deposit Return Scheme has been delayed until 2021
Q2
Recycling Consistency Consultation
Consultations/Regulation Review
Delayed
Consistency Consultation - the second round of packaging consultations for Collections Consistency has been delayed until 2021
Q3
Consultations/Regulation Review
In July 2021, UK government published a consultation on proposed changes to strengthen the current ESOS scheme as we move into phase 3
WEEE Review
Consultations/Regulation Review
Estimated
We expect to see consultations on amending the WEEE regulations before the end of 2020/early 2021
Q4
Single use plastic ban/limit in Wales & Scotland
2022
Q1
Q2
New Regulation Launch
£200 per tonne value for the upcoming tax on plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled content
Q3
Deposit Return Scheme England
New Regulation Launch
Estimated
Introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers (bottles and cans) in England
Deposit Return Scheme Scotland
New Regulation Launch
Estimated
Introducing a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) for drinks containers (bottles and cans) in Scotland
Packaging EPR Regulations Published
Consultations/Regulation Review
Estimated
Estimated date for the Packaging EPR Regulations wording being published
Q4
2023
Q1
Q2
Collection Consistency for Local Authorities
New Regulation Launch
Estimated
Waste and recycling: making recycling collections consistent in England
Q3
Q4
2024
Q1
Q2
Packaging EPR Regulations enacted
New Regulation Launch
Estimated
Estimated date when we expect to see the reformed Packaging EPR Regulations come into force
Q3
Q4
Delayed
Estimated
