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Posted: 16/07/2026

Circular Economy Joint Stakeholder Engagement Forum

RECOUP attended the regular Defra Circular Economy Joint Stakeholder Engagement Forum.

There was a small collection of speakers who provided summarised updates on ongoing projects or incoming policies:

  • Digital Waste Tracking
  • PPWR Update
  • Closed Loop Recycling Offset
  • PackUK Update
  • Environment Agency Update

 

Digital Waste Tracking

Defra representatives provided a brief update on their Digital Waste Tracking Project.

For England and Wales, the legislation is due to come into effect on 1 October 2026.

For Scotland and Northern Ireland, it is due to come into effect from 1 January 2027.

The legislation requires all permitted waste receiving sites to submit their information about receiving waste onto the new report receipt.

 

PPWR

Defra officials stated that the Packaging and Packaging Waste Regulations (PPWR) would begin from August 2026.

The PPWR Implementing Act (IA) for waste-sorting labelling is due to be published on 12 August 2026.

For more information regarding the technical proposal for waste sorting labels click here.

To attend a webinar about the EU Packaging Rules (PPWR) –  Monday 20 July register here.

 

Closed Loop Recycling Offset

Defra officials stated that large producers can now register and report eligible food-grade plastic closed-loop packaging through the RPD (Report packaging data) service.

 

PackUK

PackUK officials explained the main priorities for RAM 2028, including recycling at scale using the UK infrastructure, reviewing the take-back scheme guidance, potential new automatic REDs, and reviewing international approaches.

The deadline for resubmitted data is 1 September 2026. After this date, Notices of Liability could be issued.

This is a digital service for local authorities to securely access and manage information related to pEPR grant payments.

For help and support: contact EPRCustomerService@defra.gov.uk

 

Environment Agency

The Nation Data Guidance is to be published shortly on the government website.

Aggregated packaging data should be available from 15 July 2026.

To attend a webinar for reprocessors and exporters of UK packaging – Tuesday 4 August register here.