SUEZ recycling and recovery UK has released a document on the necessary conditions for the reopening of Household Waste and Recycling Centres (HWRCs) during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has decided to postpone the ban on plastic straws, cotton buds and stirrers until later this year due to supply chain difficulties caused by the pandemic.

Environment Minister Rebecca Pow has thanked the waste sector for its efforts in maintaining “vital” waste services during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Waste compliance company Dsposal has launched a series of free training modules for waste industry workers to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission.

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has released guidance to local authorities on prioritising waste collection services during the coronavirus outbreak.

The Environment Agency (EA) has announced that waste storage limits on permitted waste sites can be ‘temporarily’ exceeded if Covid-19 restrictions mean that waste cannot be removed from those sites.

The government has announced grant funding of £3.25 million to be made available to food redistribution organisations to ensure surplus food can reach those in need during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Waste Industry Safety and Health (WISH) Forum has published its finalised guidance on reducing the risk of Covid-19 in the waste management sector.

HMRC has announced a degree of ‘operational flexibility’ for landfill site operators for Landfill Tax operators in light of the Covid-19 outbreak as rate increases to £94.15 per tonne for 2020/21.

With UK households being encouraged to stay at home and limit trips to the supermarket, it is more important than ever to make food last for longer. Resource has compiled some tips to create less household food waste during the Covid-19 outbreak and create positive habits for the future.