News in Brief | Commercial Partner News 28 August

News updates written by CIWM’s commercial partners.

Plan B | Supporting Food Banks, Supporting Our Communities

This isn’t a milestone we’re celebrating. It reflects the reality that too many families and individuals across the UK continue to experience severe hardship.

According to Trussell data, emergency food parcel distribution remains around 45% higher than pre-pandemic levels, highlighting the lasting impact of the cost-of-living crisis and the financial strain faced by many.

As a business rooted in the communities we serve, we aim to make a positive difference beyond the services we provide, and supporting local foodbanks is one way we can help.

We all want a day when food banks are no longer needed. Until then, we’ll support them wherever we can.

Thank you to everyone whose generosity and commitment help make these contributions possible.

FCC Environment | Greatmoor Energy from Waste Facility marks 10 years of operation with Buckinghamshire Council

FCC Environment marks 10 years of operation at the Greatmoor Energy from Waste Facility, reflecting on a decade of partnership with Buckinghamshire Council and the role the plant has played in managing the county’s residual waste sustainably. 

Since becoming operational in 2016, the Greatmoor facility has provided Buckinghamshire with a long-term, local solution for treating waste that cannot be recycled, helping to reduce reliance on landfill while generating energy from material that would otherwise be disposed of.

Operated by FCC Environment on behalf of the Council, the facility has become an established part of the county’s waste infrastructure. In the last 10 years, it has processed 2.6 million tonnes of waste (including third party waste), producing 1.8 million MWh of electricity.

In this time, Greatmoor has also developed a strong focus on community engagement and the environment, welcoming thousands of visitors through education programmes and site tours. One notable initiative was the “One Million Bees for Buckinghamshire” project, launched in partnership with Buckinghamshire Council in 2019, which saw the sponsorship of 20 beehives to support local biodiversity and mark an early operational milestone at the plant.

FCC and the council have worked closely together throughout the facility’s first ten years to ensure it operates safely, responsibly and transparently, maintaining high standards while supporting wider environmental aims.

As Greatmoor reaches its 10‑year milestone, FCC Environment and Buckinghamshire Council took the opportunity to reflect on the progress made since opening and to look ahead to the next phase of the facility’s operation when the plant team welcomed the Leader of the Council and its CEO to the site for a tour on 4 August.

Ade Osibogun, Buckinghamshire Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment, Climate Change & Waste, said:

“This 10-year milestone is a chance to recognise the significant contribution Greatmoor has made to Buckinghamshire’s waste infrastructure. Over the last decade, the facility has helped reduce reliance on landfill by treating residual waste locally and generating energy from material that cannot be recycled.

“Buckinghamshire has made real progress in managing waste more sustainably, and Greatmoor has been an important part of that journey. Today is also an opportunity to thank the staff, officers and residents whose efforts have helped make that progress possible. As we look ahead, our focus remains clear – reducing waste, increasing recycling and driving positive environmental outcomes that will benefit Buckinghamshire for generations to come.”

Steve Longdon, Chief Executive Officer at FCC Environment, said:
“Reaching ten years of operation at Greatmoor is an important milestone and a moment to reflect on what strong, long‑term partnerships can achieve. Working with Buckinghamshire Council, the facility has provided resilient infrastructure for managing residual waste while also supporting wider environmental goals and community engagement. I’m extremely proud of what has been delivered over the last decade and of the unwavering commitment of the teams who make it happen every day.”

Steve Rawlinson, General Manager at the Greatmoor Energy from Waste facility, said:
“Greatmoor’s first ten years have been about safe, consistent operation and being a good neighbour to the local community. The site has grown beyond being just a facility – it’s a place where people can learn about how waste is managed, where we’ve supported environmental initiatives, and where our team takes real pride in what they do. As we look ahead, our focus remains on operating responsibly and continuing to build trust through openness and engagement.”

Greatmoor: 10 years in highlights

• Operational partnership: Working with Buckinghamshire Council since opening in 2016 to provide a long‑term solution for managing residual household waste.
• Community engagement: Thousands of residents, schools and community groups welcomed to the site through tours, education visits and outreach programmes over the decade.
• Environmental initiatives: From supporting local biodiversity through to wider environmental enhancements on and around the site.
• Education and transparency: Ongoing commitment to helping local people understand how waste is managed and the role energy‑from‑waste plays alongside recycling.
• Looking ahead: Continuing to operate safely, responsibly and in close partnership with the Council, while planning for the next chapter of the facility’s operation.

Beyondly | Predictable uncertainty: How to future proof packaging for UK and EU regulation 

Written by Liz Wood (MISEP CEnv MEI), Head of Consultancy and International at Beyondly.

Companies placing packaging on both the UK and EU markets face ongoing regulatory evolution as the UK Packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) and the EU Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulation (PPWR) move from concept to implementation.

For packaging producers, the next two to three years will be defined by evolving obligations, definitions and data expectations. Those who prepare early and plan their packaging and packaging data management in line with the advancing regulations, will be rewarded with lower compliance costs and administrative burden. 

PPWR poses fundamental challenges in how packaging suppliers share information on compliance with their customers who, in many cases, carry the legal obligation as ‘manufacturers’ under PPWR. With new research conducted by Advanced Supply Chain revealing 93% of British businesses have been affected or expect to be affected by the regulation, the scale of impact it will have is clear. The next few months are therefore expected to bring considerable back-and-forth across supply chains, as manufacturers and packaging suppliers identify and understand their roles in the system. One thing is clear following the new guidance from the European Commission’s updated Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ), released in early August: 

Elements of the manufacturer’s responsibility can be delegated, e.g. the conformity assessment procedure, drafting the DoC, and managing the documentation; however, the obligation to draw up the technical documentation cannot be delegated. Regardless of who the manufacturer appoints to carry out the required tasks, the manufacturer bears sole responsibility for compliance under the PPWR. This legal responsibility cannot be transferred by means of contractual arrangements. 

EPR and PPWR in context 

UK EPR for packaging puts the financial burden of dealing with packaging waste on producers, requiring obligated organisations to collect detailed data on packaging placed on the market and to fund the management of that waste. The regulations are still pretty new, and guidance continues to evolve; for example, on how to differentiate household and non-household packaging, or the introduction of the recyclability assessment methodology (RAM) whereby different packaging components attract a fee which varies in relation to their recyclability. 

In parallel, PPWR replaces the EU’s Packaging and Packaging Waste Directive with directly applicable minimum rules across all Member States, including recyclability performance classes, minimum recycled content for plastics, and harmonised labelling and information requirements. The Windsor Framework means Northern Ireland (NI) will remain aligned with key elements of EU rules, including aspects of packaging regulation. Therefore, businesses selling into NI will have to simultaneously consider UK EPR and PPWR derived obligations. 

Driving for alignment as a strategic opportunity 

From conversations with producers, retailers and brands, a clear message emerges: the administrative burden becomes manageable when the UK and EU regulators look to align. One opportunity for alignment is labelling. PPWR will introduce mandatory harmonised labelling requirements, including symbols indicating material composition and disposal routes, while the UK is actively reviewing mandatory packaging labelling under EPR and related policy processes. 

Aligning UK labels as far as possible with PPWR’s structure and iconography would minimise confusion for consumers and reduce redesign costs for companies selling across both markets. Early adopters are already using PPWR’s proposed definitions, recyclability performance classes and design-for-recycling (DfR) criteria as a de facto standard when briefing designers, even for packs primarily destined for the UK market. 

The emerging role of RAM and design-for-recycling 

The UK RAM is rapidly becoming the reference point for determining whether packaging is deemed recyclable for the purposes of EPR fees and reporting. Industry feedback suggests that, behind the scenes, the RAM’s structure and criteria are increasingly being aligned with European frameworks such as RecyClass, which already offers detailed, material-specific design-for-recycling guidelines and classifications. 

If that trajectory continues, UK producers could benefit from a high degree of interoperability between UK RAM outcomes and PPWR recyclability classes (which are still yet to be formally confirmed), particularly for plastics. For companies, this means that using RecyClass type criteria (for example), limits on label coverage, the need for compatible adhesives, or restrictions on dark pigments, is a pragmatic way to futureproof designs across both UK and EU compliance landscapes. 

Predictable uncertainty and recycled content 

One of the most frequently cited challenges among our customers is knowing that certain measures are coming but not yet having the detailed implementing rules which will follow with secondary legislation. For example, PPWR includes an obligation for the European Commission to adopt, by 31 December 2026, an implementing act establishing the methodology for calculating, verifying and certifying the percentage of recycled plastic content in packaging. 

While that methodology is still to be defined, standards such as ISO 14021 on self-declared environmental claims offer guidance on using a mass balance approach for recycled content claims, allowing producers to start building internal rules and data systems that will be easier to map to the eventual PPWR methodology. 

Moving from traffic lights to data 

A recurring theme in our work with producers is that storing the outcome of recyclability assessments, such as red, amber, green scores for UK RAM, is limiting in a world of overlapping regimes. 

Instead of storing only a RAM status, companies should focus on capturing primary, granular data points for each component. Examples include: 

• Label material (e.g. PP, PET, paper), coverage area as a percentage of surface, and adhesive type 

• Closure material, colour and presence of removable liners 

• Film thickness, presence of metallisation, and specific multilayer combinations 

These data points can then be reused against different rulesets, UK RAM, retailer-specific recyclability checks, PPWR recyclability performance classes (once released) or DfR checklists from schemes like RecyClass, without repeatedly going back to suppliers. Customers who have already invested in structured bills of materials and specification databases report that re-running packs through new assessment tools becomes an exercise in mapping rules, not recollecting data. 

Global spill overs and market access 

Regulatory developments in the EU and UK increasingly shape packaging policy beyond Europe. Several jurisdictions, including Australia, are basing or benchmarking their own packaging EPR schemes and recycled content rules on EU models, partly to ease trade and ensure consistent environmental outcomes. 

This alignment has tangible commercial consequences. A recent BBC report profiled a UK radiator manufacturer that exited the EU market due to regulatory complexity, only to discover that markets such as Australia, which had mirrored EU rules, also became harder or impossible to access without similar levels of compliance and documentation. For packaging producers, the lesson is clear – treating EU rules as “someone else’s problem” risks closing doors in third country markets that use PPWR as a template.   

Turning compliance into competitive advantage 

Across Beyondly’s customer base, those finding opportunity in this landscape share a few common behaviours.   

• Prioritising data: Building centralised, structured packaging specifications which can feed multiple reporting systems and recyclability tools. 

• They design to the strictest credible standard: Using PPWR and RecyClass‑style criteria as the design brief, even where local rules have not yet caught up. 

• They integrate EPR into commercial decisions: Considering EPR fees, recycled content and potential fee modulation alongside traditional metrics like material cost and shelf impact. 

Companies that move early can shape retailer expectations, secure preferred supplier status, and reduce the risk of last-minute redesigns as detailed implementing measures such as the PPWR recycled content calculation methodology arrive. Those left behind face a future of expensive reactive change as regulation evolves.

Washed Aggregates Trade Association | WATA welcomes changes to planning framework but calls for explicit recognition of wash plants

The Washed Aggregates Trade Association (WATA) has welcomed several important changes contained within the Government’s newly published National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF).

But the trade association is continuing to call for greater recognition of high-grade recycled aggregates produced through washing and processing, within the national policy. The revised framework, which was published earlier this week (17 August), strengthens several aspects of national minerals planning policy, including the reinstatement of the description of mineral supply as “essential” and a clearer recognition of the role that processing activities play within the wider minerals supply chain.

However, WATA believes there is still an opportunity to strengthen the explicit recognition of aggregate washing facilities and the infrastructure that supports the production of washed aggregates.

Andy Hill, CEO of WATA, said: “The Government has clearly listened to concerns raised by the minerals sector and has strengthened several important aspects of national minerals planning policy. The recognition that mineral supply remains essential to housing, infrastructure and economic growth is particularly welcome.”

“Our members recover and process millions of tonnes of valuable construction materials every year, helping to reduce reliance on primary extraction and supporting a more circular approach to resource use.”

“The amendments to the NPPF is progress, but it is unfinished business. While we welcome the direction of travel, we would still like to see aggregate washing facilities explicitly recognised within planning policy.”

“The forthcoming review of national waste policy will provide a crucial opportunity to ensure that washed aggregates and the infrastructure that produces them receive the recognition they deserve. But we would also like to see that recognition reflected more explicitly within national minerals planning policy.”

WATA will continue to work with policymakers to ensure that washed aggregates and the facilities that produce them are fully recognised within both waste policy and national minerals planning policy.

Valpak | Valpak research helps councils understand the flexible plastics challenge

Newly published research by Valpak by Reconomy, commissioned by the Local Government Association (LGA), gives local authorities detailed evidence on the volumes, costs and practical challenges associated with household flexible plastics collections.

The research was carried out while councils in England were preparing for mandatory collections of plastic film and bags from March 2027. That deadline has since been moved to 2030, but councils remain at very different stages of preparation: some already collect flexible plastics, others have contracts or plans in place, while others are still considering how and when to introduce a service. 

For councils, understanding how much material they are likely to handle, how it could be collected and sorted, what outlets are available and what the service could cost therefore remains important regardless of the revised rollout date.

Evidence-led modelling can help councils understand what flexible plastics collections could mean for their own services.

Valpak’s analysis estimates that around 770,000 tonnes of film is placed on the market annually in England, with 392,000 tonnes entering household waste streams. Councils in England currently collect only around 15,000 tonnes of household film for recycling. Under nationwide rollout, this was estimated to rise initially to around 96,000 tonnes a year.

The research examined not just the quantity of material, but the readiness of the system to handle it, including collection arrangements, sorting and reprocessing capacity and available end markets.

It found that current UK reprocessing capacity would not have been sufficient to handle the anticipated step-change in tonnage under the original timetable. Around 145,000 tonnes of film sorting capacity and 139,000 tonnes of reprocessing capacity currently exists in the UK, with some of that capacity also required for commercial film and rigid plastics.

Steve Gough, CEO of Valpak, said: “Whatever the timetable, local authorities need clear evidence to understand what flexible plastics collections could mean for their services. This is a challenging waste stream, and the picture will vary considerably between councils. Understanding likely volumes, collection systems, available capacity and end markets will help authorities plan and assess the implications for their own services.”

The research also highlights the financial implications. Valpak estimated England-wide costs for collecting and managing household plastic film at between £82 million and £301 million a year – equivalent to around £3 to £12 per household.

The cost to an individual authority will depend on factors including its existing collection system, whether film will be collected loose or in bags, sorting arrangements and available treatment routes.

An estimated 14% of film in household waste streams is non-packaging material. Unlike packaging, the costs associated with this material will not be covered by packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) payments.

For local authorities, the national figures provide a starting point rather than a prescription. Different collection systems, contracts, infrastructure and local circumstances mean that individual councils may face very different costs and practical considerations.

Zoe Goodman, Principal Consultant at Valpak, said: “There is no single answer that will apply to every council. Our role in this work was to examine the evidence objectively: how much material there is, where it currently goes, what capacity exists and what different collection approaches could cost. That same kind of modelling can help individual authorities understand what flexible plastics could mean for their own services.”

Valpak’s consultancy team combines detailed packaging data with material-flow analysis, cost modelling and practical waste and recycling expertise. The LGA study drew on Valpak’s packaging data alongside information from FlexCollect, WRAP, councils and industry stakeholders.

Valpak Consulting also produces the PackFlow reports, the industry baseline for understanding the quantities of different packaging materials placed on the UK market. The reports are now freely available at packflow.co, and Valpak also undertakes bespoke material-flow analysis for individual clients.

This type of modelling can help local authorities and other organisations understand their own material flows, likely costs and the implications of changes to collection and recycling systems.

The findings are also relevant to the wider recycling industry, producers and policymakers by providing evidence on the scale and composition of the material stream and the infrastructure required to manage it.

The full report, Rolling out plastic film collections to all households in England, is available from Valpak.

Valpak’s PackFlow analysis on plastic film recycling in England is also available online.

Vision Techniques | Vision Techniques celebrate the recertification of one of their best-selling products

Commercial Vehicle Safety and Security Specialists, Vision Techniques, are celebrating after one of their best-selling products, the VT Banksman Autobraking Radar System, passed a recent recertification.

A few weeks ago the long established company invited the VCA to the Vision Techniques office for the recertification of the system and are delighted to announce that they passed.

And whilst this is a great win for the business, they want to share why it is important systems are certified and how serious the consequences can be.

Managing Director Dave Smith said: “At Vision Techniques, vehicle safety and compliance are at the heart of everything we do.

“When a product or system alters the OEM braking system design, a VTG10, together with supporting regulation 13 documentation issued by the VCA must be submitted to the DVSA by the vehicle operator to ensure the vehicle remains legal and compliant.

“Our systems including the VT Banksman Autobraking System, VT BrakeSafe and VT StopSafe that all interact with the OEM braking system have been designed and developed in consultation with the VCA, DfT and the DVSA to ensure they are designed with safe and compliant road use in mind.

“We have been made aware recently that some systems that integrate into the OEM braking system, not ours, being fitted to vehicles may not have gone through the appropriate compliance process, this includes advising customers that the submission of a VTG10 in not required.

“Fitting a non-compliant system and not submitting a VTG10 with supporting documentation can have serious consequences. The system may not be fit for purpose, the operator could face enforcement action and the vehicle could also potentially be taken off the road.

“More importantly, if a system were to fail, the consequences could be far more serious, potentially resulting in injury or loss of life.”

With more than 25 years of expertise in vehicle braking systems, Vision Techniques is committed to providing the best safety systems that give operators confidence and peace of mind.

If you have any questions about vehicle braking system compliance or you’re unsure whether a system fitted to your vehicle is compliant, the Vision Techniques team is happy to help.

Email them on info@vision-techniques.com or call 01254 679717. Alternatively browse their website at www.vision-techniques.com.

Greyparrot | Greyparrot to demonstrate compliance automation in practice at RWM 2026

Greyparrot will be exhibiting at RWM 2026 (16–17 September, NEC Birmingham), bringing operators who use its AI waste analytics platform to discuss the practical results of automated compliance reporting and operational efficiency gains. The team will be at Stand RS-D192.

This year’s agenda focuses on outcomes. Earlier in 2026, Biffa and FCC Environment became the first UK operators to submit AI-derived waste composition data to the Environment Agency for statutory compliance purposes – a UK first for the sector. The operators behind that work will take to the stage at RWM.

On-stage: panel with 3 operators sharing what AI has achieved for them

On Thursday 17 September at 11:45am in the Commercial & Industrial Waste Stage, Greyparrot will host a panel session: How Amcor, CWR and FCC are using Greyparrot waste intelligence to run more efficient plants and overcome regulatory challenges.

Speakers include:

• Patrick Brighty, Head of Recycling Policy at the ESA
• Jody Sherratt, Managing Director at Cheshire West Recycling
• Pedro Faraldo Garcia, Senior Technical Manager at FCC Environment
• Sophie Lerway, Performance Improvement Director at Amcor

Rather than focusing on what AI could do, the session examines what is already happening on the ground: where automated, auditable data is replacing manual sampling for EA reporting, and where the same data is helping operators make faster decisions on staffing, contamination and line performance. Patrick Brighty will share the ESA’s view of what’s happening across the sector and where policy is heading next.

We’re also excited to launch at RWM our most extensive portal update yet, a new way to see how your whole facility is performing – and pinpoint operational gains when it counts.

Hands-on at Stand RS-D192

Visitors can get live demonstrations of Greyparrot Analyzer’s latest features at Stand RS-D192 and speak directly to the team about compliance automation, operational data and what AI deployment looks like in practice. The Greyparrot team will be on-site across both days of the conference.

Find out more and arrange a meeting with the Greyparrot team at RWM.

Contel | Contel to showcase connected fleet safety solutions at RWM Expo 2026

Vehicle technology specialist Contel will exhibit within the LARAC Lounge at RWM Expo 2026, taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 16 and 17 September.

The company will use the event to meet local authority waste and recycling professionals and demonstrate how connected vehicle technology, AI-enabled safety systems and operational data can support safer and more efficient services.

Visitors will be able to discuss a range of solutions, including Contel AI, the company’s AI-enabled camera and vehicle safety platform; Contel Connected, its integrated telematics offering; and Binsight, which helps fleet operators turn food waste collection data into actionable intelligence.

Contel’s wider portfolio includes mobile digital video recording, vulnerable road-user protection, radar braking and 360-degree camera systems. Its technology is supported by an experienced UK-based team providing installation, integration and ongoing customer support.

The company works with waste and environmental services operators across the UK, including local authorities seeking greater visibility of fleet activity, stronger safety oversight and better-quality information to support operational decision-making.

Andy Kelly, Co-CEO and Founder of Contel, said:

“RWM gives us an important opportunity to speak directly with the people managing local authority waste and recycling fleets. These teams are dealing with significant service pressures while continuing to prioritise safety, compliance and reliable service delivery.

“We want to understand the challenges authorities are facing and explore how connected technology can provide practical support. Our approach is guided by Service before Sales, so the conversation always begins with the customer’s operation and what they genuinely need.”

The LARAC Lounge is located within RWM’s Collections & Transport Zone and provides a dedicated meeting point for local authority waste and recycling professionals. Contel’s team will be available throughout both days to discuss existing fleet challenges, planned technology projects and opportunities to connect data from different vehicle systems.

Andy added:

“Vehicle technology has the greatest impact when systems work together and the information produced can be used confidently by operational teams. RWM allows us to demonstrate that connected approach and discuss how it can be applied within different local authority fleets.”

RWM Expo is free to attend and takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 16 and 17 September 2026.

Visitors can meet Contel within the LARAC Lounge throughout the event.

Vehicle Weighing Solutions | Vehicle Weighing Solutions to showcase overload protection solutions and introduce Actionable Business Intelligence at RWM 2026

Vehicle Weighing Solutions (VWS) will exhibit alongside sister company VWS Software Solutions at on stand CT-J220 at RWM 2026, taking place at the NEC Birmingham on 16 and 17 September.

A key focus for the VWS team will be the VOPS2 Packer Plate Cut-off feature, developed to help operators reduce the risk of overloaded vehicles during waste collection rounds.

VOPS2 is an axle overload protection system designed, which when specified with the optional Packer Plate Cut-off feature, can automatically prevent further compaction when the vehicle reaches a predetermined weight threshold. This gives crews an immediate safeguard against adding more material once the permitted limit has been reached.

The technology is expected to be of particular interest to local authorities and waste collection contractors seeking practical ways to strengthen compliance, protect vehicles and crews, and reduce the operational disruption associated with overloading.

Visitors will be able to discuss how the system works, its suitability for different vehicle configurations and the ways it can support safer, more efficient collection services.

The team will also demonstrate VWS Live, the company’s live fleet data portal. The platform gives operators real-time access to vehicle weighing information alongside telematics data, providing a clearer view of fleet activity from a single online system. Branded “Actionable Business Intelligence”, access to this data can offer businesses a powerful tool to make informed decisions about their operations and improve overall efficiency.

VWS Live can help managers monitor vehicle weights remotely, identify trends and use accurate operational data to support day-to-day decision-making. All VWS weighing systems can be connected to the platform as an optional add-on, allowing operators to extend the value of their existing onboard weighing technology.

Representatives from both Vehicle Weighing Solutions and VWS Software Solutions will be available throughout the exhibition to answer questions, discuss individual fleet requirements and demonstrate how connected weighing data can support safer and more informed operations.

RWM 2026 takes place at the NEC Birmingham on 16 and 17 September.

About Vehicle Weighing Solutions

Vehicle Weighing Solutions provides onboard weighing, axle overload protection and connected data solutions for waste collection, commercial and specialist vehicles. Its systems help fleet operators improve safety, maintain compliance and gain greater visibility of vehicle weights and operational performance.