England’s Environment Agency has eased enforcement of packaging recycling rules for 2026. Producers meeting at least 83% of their statutory plastic recycling obligation, 90% for wood and 92% for steel, will normally avoid enforcement action. However, legal targets remain unchanged, and certificates may still record noncompliance. The temporary measure follows shortages and soaring prices for recycling compliance credits.
Personal Remarks
I must admit, I’m disappointed by the UK. I expected a little less greenwashing and a little more common sense. This increasingly looks like environmental theatre: ambitious targets on paper, unrealistic in practice. I thought the British were above this kind of bureaucratic farce.