Recycling and waste management

The waste, recycling and resource management sector has a significant role to play in the net zero agenda. The Climate Change Committee Carbon Budget Report in 2020 warned that unless new policies were implemented urgently, the waste sector could generate ‘substantial’ emissions and recommended an acceleration of the UK territorial emissions 80% target by 15 years.

At Browne Jacobson our waste lawyers are committed to supporting our clients across a wide array of transactions and generally navigating through the opportunities and challenges which are fast arising in this sector - including rising fuel prices, increased cost pressures, surging inflation and legislative developments.

We are increasingly seeing clients refer to and focus upon the concept of a circular economy. The implication of such an approach will require major waste law reforms which will be central to developments in the sector over the coming years and require measures to be taken across the entire value chain from production/ consumption to waste and resource management.

Driven and continued investment in UK recycling capacity and capability together with the innovation, development and scale-up of new technologies will also be required. There are also significant infrastructure assets, equipment and fleets within the delivery chain resulting in an increased focus on fleet electrification the use (and integration) of climate/clean/infra-tech and renewable energy resources/alternatives to drive ‘green’ ambitions.

Waste authorities and contractors alike will need to come to terms with the implications of the Environment Act 2021, which has introduced several new measures affecting both waste collection and disposal, particularly in the recycling and reuse of food waste, plastics and bottles.

Separate weekly food collections will soon be required and the introduction of deposit return schemes will present opportunities for the public to recycle drinks containers and cans. Our weaste lawyers are advising our public and private sector clients on how to implement these changes in their current contracts and how to make the best use of the opportunities presented.

Waste to energy projects are fundamental to the long term strategy of landfill diversion through the processing and treatment of waste and providing in many cases a source of renewable energy generation. The UK has been a prominent market for waste projects and our team of waste law experts have advised on numerous waste projects.

Our extensive waste law experience enables us to provide full service legal advice underpinned by specialist sector and asset specific knowledge. Our waste lawyers understand the variety of waste types, different processing techniques and their associated technologies and technical terms commonly used in this sector, enabling us to deliver pragmatic and commercial advice to our clients ‘in their language’.

We are proud to support our clients in delivering essential transactions in the recycling and waste management sector which continue to drive a direct and positive impact on economic, environmental and social prosperity.