SUEZ, one of the country’s largest waste management companies, has backed a deposit-return scheme, after reports emerged this week that officials at the Defra had said it was ‘unlikely’ that such a system would be considered as part of a forthcoming national litter strategy.

Officials from Defra have played down the possibility of introducing a deposit-return scheme for plastic bottles as part of its new litter strategy for England, according to reports.

There is a great risk of a ‘vacuum’ once the European Commission and European Court of Justice no longer have a role in the oversight and enforcement of environmental legislation, a House of Lords report has said.

Green Party Co-Leader Caroline Lucas has warned of a ‘cocktail of risks’ to the UK’s environment arising from Brexit, in which key environmental rules could become ‘unenforceable’.

MP for Workington Sue Hayman has been named Shadow Secretary of State for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, after Rachael Maskell resigned last week.

Members of the waste industry have expressed disappointment with Defra’s decision to not withdraw a derogation that allows air pollution control residues to be disposed of as hazardous waste landfill.

The government confirmed through its Brexit White Paper that it plans to transpose all current European environmental regulation into UK law after Brexit.

Rachael Maskell has resigned from her role as Shadow Environment Secretary, becoming the second holder of the position to step down over Labour’s stance on Brexit in just over seven months.

Construction businesses in Scotland are being offered free waste prevention support from Resource Efficient Scotland’s advice and support programme.

Environmental charities across England are to receive over £1.5 million after 26 businesses agreed to make donations in response to pollution charges brought by the Environment Agency.