The Welsh Senedd approved DRS legislation in March 2026, with the scheme due to launch in October 2027 alongside the rest of the UK. A first market engagement on return handling fees has been completed, and a second consultation is expected to launch after Easter.

Exchange for Change said it was "continuing to engage closely with the Welsh Government" following its application. The Welsh scheme is intended to be interoperable with the DRS operating in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

The Environment Agency said 16 containers of contaminated plastic, containing electrical components, wiring and circuit boards, were shipped to Malaysia between April 2022 and February 2025. Director Yulin Wang was sentenced to 120 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £15,114 in costs, while the company was fined £80,000 with £47,000 in costs and surcharges.

The Northern Europe zone covers the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Finland and the Netherlands, with nearly 20,000 employees and £4bn in revenue across water, waste and energy services. Kirkman, who has a doctorate in infrastructure for the circular economy, will also lead growth and innovation at Veolia group level and joins the company's executive committee.

The Greensboro-headquartered business specialises in identifying cost savings for customers and increasing their profitability through recycling solutions. Reconomy said the deal cements Lincoln's position as a top-three asset-light waste operator in the US, citing the country's low recycling rates and heavy reliance on landfill as long-term growth opportunities.