Defra hosted their monthly Circular Economy Joint Stakeholder Forum on 2 June. The main points are summarised below.
Waste Crime
- New waste transport and management reforms, aiming to reduce illegal dumping and fly-tipping, and address abuse to the current transport waste registration system.
- Those who offer waste services to businesses will need to apply to the EA for an Environmental Permit to operate, with certain exemptions e.g. charities.
- The intention is to increase the charge; however, there will be two public consultations on permitting and the charging system.
- Legislation is due early July with the system going live 12 months later. During the 12 months, EA will be developing and consulting on chargers. There will be a three-year transition period to full roll out of the new permit system.
PackUK: pEPR
General
- Confirmed that there is no change in government position on pEPR. Policy to go ahead as planned.
- PackUK’s 5 year strategy to be published Autumn 2026.
- No current Notice of Liabilities (NoL) or LA fee timelines announced. No NoLs to be published in June.
- PackUK are looking to have earlier deadlines for data resubmissions to avoid the shortfall challenges experienced in Year 1.
- Confirmed pEPR payments will be additional funding for years 1-3 of the scheme. Didn’t confirm beyond this timeframe.
RAM 2027
- Publication July 2026. Will apply to the 2026/27 reporting year and will not affect the 2025/26 reporting year.
- Modulated fees, informed by the RAM, to be introduced for the first time this year.
- A yearly updated RAM will be published going forward.
Local Authority performance
- Local authority effectiveness assessments likely to start in 2028.
- LA consultation on payment assessments to be held.
- A couple examples were shared on how LAs are spending pEPR funding e.g. Antrim and Newtownabbey Borough Council used £2.6 million pEPR funding to increase kerbside collection and Cardiff City Council used pEPR funding to introduce dedicated recycling officers.
- Formal delegation of functions to Producer Responsibility Organisation (PRO) from PackUK to be confirmed. They are working to delegate as the PRO’s resources ramps up.
EA
- Gave evidence of successes in tackling Waste Crime and Fraud, including thirteen arrests made in 2025 for PRN and PERN fraud, and investigations into fraud valued at £23 million.
PPT
- Ongoing consultation on Certification for Mechanically Recycled Plastic used in packaging, ends 10th August. For more information, please read our briefing.
Future Forums
- The July Forum has been moved from 7 July to 14 July.
- There will not be a Forum in August.
- Forums to resume normally on 1 September.
