HM Treasury explores reforms in Plastic Packaging to boost chemical recycling. In addition, UKVIA Publishes ‘Greenprint’ for Sustainable Vaping. And DESNZ announces a new powerline to deliver clean power to 1.8 million UK homes.
Plastic Tax to be reviewed to support chemical recycling
HM Treasury announced plans to launch a consultation on changes to the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT) which it hopes will encourage investment in chemical recycling. The PPT was introduced last year and sits alongside other reforms to tackle plastic waste. The Government explained that, unlike traditional mechanical recycling, chemical recycling can break down plastic waste to a molecular level to produce feedstock which can be used to produce new plastic. This means it can offer a complementary route for plastic waste which can’t be mechanically recycled, reducing amounts going to incineration or landfill. It can also produce a higher quality of recycled plastic. The Government says the consultation will be launched later this year (2023).
Greenprint for Sustainable Vaping
The UK Vaping Industry Association (UKVIA) has published a comprehensive “Greenprint for Sustainable Vaping’. This was developed following an industry-wide consultation, which addressed concerns about the environmental impact of vapes, especially disposable vapes. The report contains a 22-point action plan for the sector and proposals include setting up recycling facilities where vapes are bought and where they are commonly used, such as at pubs, clubs, transport hubs and offices.
UK to power 1.8m homes with ‘world’s biggest’ power line
The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) announced that the world’s largest multi-use electricity power line will be built under the North Sea, which will boost UK energy supplies with enough to power 1.8 million homes and boost energy security.
The new LionLink will connect the UK and the Netherlands with offshore wind farms, providing clean, affordable and secure energy to Britain which will help cut household bills and drive Putin’s Russia further out of the energy market. While normal interconnectors only connect 2 countries, the multipurpose LionLink will join the UK and Netherlands to each other as well as simultaneously with offshore wind farms at the heart of the North Sea.
The new LionLink will carry 1.8GW of electricity, which builds on the 8.4GW interconnector capacity that the UK has – and LionLink alone will increase that by up to a fifth, meaning more clean and affordable power for UK homes and businesses. The Government has expressed its hopes that boosting clean energy not only helps create better-paid jobs across the country but also strengthens economic security by reducing reliance on foreign gas supplies.
Storm overflow target to be enshrined in law
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA) has announced that its target to reduce storm overflows will be enshrined in law. The Storm Overflows Discharge Reduction Plan, published in August 2022, sets out stringent targets, which were backed up by up to £56 billion capital investment, and this will now be enshrined further in law through the Environment Act 2021. The plan to reduce storm overflows comes as an extension of the existing Plan for Water, which set out further detail on how the Government is tackling every source of pollution including agriculture, plastics, road run-off and chemicals.
Funding aims to enhance UK sustainable biomanufacturing
Innovate UK has announced new feasibility awards to develop and improve sustainable biomanufacturing in the UK. The joint investment by the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC), Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and Innovate UK will support 34 feasibility studies across the UK. The 34 projects will represent an investment of more than £2 million and will help advance the development of biomanufacturing across a range of UK industry sectors, including:
- Agriculture
- Construction
- Fast-moving consumer goods
- Textiles
- Healthcare
The aim of these projects will support UK biomanufacturing in becoming net zero and resource efficient, resilient and responsive and technologically advanced and digital.
-Further Reading-
DEFRA: Introduces second round of grants to tackle fly tipping
The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA) have announced another round of funding grants to help local authorities in England deliver projects to crack down on fly-tipping.
Scottish Government: Deposit Return Scheme update
The Scottish Government has confirmed that the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) is now to be implemented on 1st March 2024, rather than the intended date of 16th August 2023. The delay was announced with additional information regarding changes to the scheme.
HM Treasury: Reforms to Plastic Tax to boost chemical recycling
HM Treasury announced plans to launch a consultation on changes to the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT).
Government Announces New Departments for Energy Security and Net Zero
Number 10: New Department for Energy Security & Net Zero Announced