From new contracts to new plastic bans, read this week's EfW Net news bulletin to find out whats going on in the world of waste. 

Viridor has awarded FEED contracts to Technip Energies and Fichtner

The contracts are for the Runcorn Carbon Capture Project, announced earlier this month, and signify a £20m commitment to the project.  

Meanwhile, Defra announced further delays on the DRS scheme to 2027

Despite public consultations beginning in 2019, the Department of Environment, Food and Rural Affairs has pushed back plans for a deposit return scheme until 2027. Under the plans, members of the public would be able to deposit empty containers in return for cash or vouchers. Despite the pushback, Food and Drink Federation CEO Karen Betts views the announcement as a positive message that the UK is committing to a DRS scheme. She said: “A consistent, UK-wide approach is the best way to ensure value for money and to drive up the UK’s disappointing recycling rates.” 

Hopefully, the UK government follows in Norway’s footsteps, which has had its own DRS scheme up and running since the 1970s

Norwegian residents can earn the equivalent of 20-30p for every plastic and metal (aluminum/tinplate) container they return. Norway also has financial incentives for producers, offering exemption from the environmental tax if 95% of their containers are returned. 95% may seem like a high number, but the scheme has been incredibly successful: in 2021, the scheme saw 92.3% of eligible containers returned. 

Despite delays in a UK-wide DRS scheme, this week has seen advancements in bans on single-use plastics

Wet wipes containing plastics are the latest single-use plastic to be banned in the UK after a public consultation found that 95% of people support the move. This continues the Government’s flurry of bans on single-use plastics like plastic cutlery, balloon sticks, polystyrene cups and vapes. What single-use plastic needs to be banned next?

And another final piece of good news before the weekend: Jet2.com will begin using SAF at London Stansted Airport

Jet2 has partnered with clean energy company Fulcrum on plans to use sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) blend on departing flights from London Stanstead and Bristol Airport this year - meaning your summer holiday could be fueled by cooking oil.