Resources Minister Rory Stewart has given his backing to a new action plan for food waste recycling, after a steering group met for the first time last week.

Industry members have backed planned government changes to packaging and battery legislation.

A consultation on the three proposed WEEE compliance fee methods for 2015 has been launched.

Welsh Resources Minister Carl Sargeant has pledged to introduce Welsh legislation extending the powers of waste crime enforcement.

A round-up of news from the waste and resources sector, including the Welsh recycling rate, cardboard at Lord’s and a Reconomy acquisition.

The National Federation of Retail Newsagents have asked Rory Stewart to consider including small businesses in the carrier bag charge.

Fixed penalty notices for fly-tippers will be introduced in England ‘at the earliest opportunity’ following a government consultation into waste crime enforcement.

Scotland is to be set a formal food waste reduction target, Scottish Environment Minister Richard Lochhead has said.

Environment Secretary Liz Truss vowed to ‘crack down on waste cowboys’, while Resources Minister Rory Stewart has called for more consistency in collections.

WRAP has been named as one of four beneficiaries of Wilko’s carrier bag charge profits.