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DEFRA UPDATE ON DRS

(Note: this information is applicable to England, Scotland and Northern Ireland)

 

Defra have confirmed that the Deposit Scheme for drinks containers (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025 were approved by both the House of Commons and the House of Lords and came into force on Friday 24th January 2025.

 

These regulations provide powers to appoint the Deposit Management Organisation (DMO) who will operate the scheme, which will launch on 1 October 2027. The regulations also set out:

  • The scope of the DRS
  • The role of retailers, drinks producers and suppliers
  • The functions of the DMO
  • The monitoring, compliance and enforcement measures that will be in place to support the running of the scheme

Guidance on the regulations for England and Northern Ireland has been published and can be found on Gov.uk.

The next step is to appoint a DMO. Applications for this opportunity opened in December 2024 and will close on Monday 3rd February. Defra will work with the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland and Scottish Government to assess applications and, following approval of the Regulations in each nation, appoint the DMO(s) in April 2025.

In November 2024, the Welsh Government announced their withdrawal from the four-nation approach to DRS. Defra have stated that they remain committed to delivering a Deposit Return Scheme and will continue to work closely with the Scottish Government and DAERA in Northern Ireland to launch the scheme across England, Northern Ireland and Scotland in October 2027. They remain in close working partnership with Welsh Government as they make decisions regarding a DRS in Wales and are keen to keep the door open to providing as much interoperability of schemes across the UK as possible.

 

Key links

To view the regulations, please visit Gov.uk.

To view the Defra press release, please visit Gov.uk.

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RIDER SURVEY INSIGHTS UNDERSCORE ZEELO’S IMPACT ON COMMUTES AND CAREERS

Zeelo, a leading provider of smart and sustainable transportation services, has released its 2024 Annual Rider Survey results, highlighting the impact of its transportation solutions on employees and businesses. The survey demonstrates how reliable and efficient commutes are transforming workforce mobility across the UK, US, and Ireland.

In 2024, Zeelo riders collectively saved £38,685,235 annually and reclaimed 234 years in commute time, demonstrating the significant impact of transportation solutions on financial and personal well-being.

With over 13 million rides completed to date, Zeelo’s shuttles have become a critical tool for connecting employees to job opportunities while delivering measurable business results. The survey highlights significant outcomes in job retention, recruitment, and employee well-being:

● Riders save an average of £1,200 annually through Zeelo’s cost-efficient solution.

● 85% said the service saves them time daily, with riders gaining an average of 83 hours annually – equivalent to two full workweeks.

● 98% of riders agreed that the availability of Zeelo’s transportation was important for them getting to work.

For employers, these results translate to significant cost savings and productivity gains. Zeelo’s services reduce absenteeism, improve retention rates, and enable businesses to expand their recruitment catchment areas. By providing transportation as a benefit, companies can better compete in today’s challenging labour market while fostering employee loyalty and engagement.

“At Zeelo, we’ve always believed that transportation is about more than moving people – it’s about creating opportunities,” says Sam Ryan, CEO and Co-founder of Zeelo. “These insights reaffirm that when employers prioritise access and reliability in transportation as a benefit, they’re not just addressing logistical challenges – they’re fostering stronger, more resilient workforces and communities.”

Zeelo’s services have proven particularly impactful in underserved communities, where access to reliable transportation is a key barrier to economic opportunity. By addressing this challenge, Zeelo is not only improving individual outcomes but also driving systemic change in workforce mobility.

By optimising routes and leveraging smart technology, Zeelo has eliminated the equivalent of millions of cars from the road, contributing to significant reductions in carbon emissions.

Zeelo’s asset-light model, paired with its proprietary routing algorithm and rider apps, enables it to deliver scalable, efficient, and cost-effective transportation solutions across industries, including logistics, manufacturing, healthcare, and corporate services. As businesses face ongoing recruitment and retention challenges, Zeelo’s fully managed programmes are a vital partner in overcoming workforce mobility barriers.

BRAKES LAUNCHES ENCHANTED BAKERY RANGE

 

Brakes, the UK’s leading foodservice wholesaler, has launched a new range of high quality, handmade tray cakes, providing customers who need an exceptional cake with a next level taste experience.

 

Created under the exclusive Enchanted Bakery brand, the range was developed following research that showed foodservice businesses wanted a tray cake that delivered a premium look and taste. The range is designed to offer a complete cake solution for customers.

 

Enchanted Bakery promises a magical experience delivering on its mission to bring happiness to the world, one slice at a time.  The initial range comprises six tray cakes, including a decadent Triple Chocolate Fudge cake, a classic Strawberry Victoria Sponge, a moist Banana Caramel & Malt cake, a zesty Dragonfruit & Lime cake, a perfectly spiced Carrot & Orange cake and a Sticky Rum & Raisin cake. Both the Carrot & Orange cake and the Sticky Rum & Raisin cake are suitable for vegans.

 

The range is delivered frozen in trays of 18 pre-cut portions, helping to minimise wastage and ensuring that caterers never run out of stock.

 

Paul Nieduszynski, Chief Executive of Sysco GB, said: “Our new range of tray cakes delivers a second-to-none eating experience. It’s the best combination - a great looking cake that also tastes amazing. We’re confident this new range will become a fixture for customers looking to drive excitement and delivers a slice of happiness to their consumers.”

 

OAKLAND INTERNATIONAL FAMILY TEAM TAKE ON WARWICK HALF MARATHON FOR MOLLY OLLYS

 

Three members of the same family from family business and supply chain solutions specialist Oakland International will be taking on the Warwick Half Marathon in support of Molly Ollys on Sunday 2nd February.

 

Making up the family team are Oakland International co-founder Dean Attwell, son and Molly Ollys ambassador Samuel, and Oakland finance manager and cousin Keith Davies.

 

Said Samuel: “I wanted to take part to support Molly Ollys, and my dad and Keith said they’d join me so it’s going to be a real family affair.

 

“Molly Ollys is a wonderful charity and makes such a huge difference to so many young people and children living with a life-threatening illness which means each and every pound donated will be very much appreciated.”

 

Molly Ollys supports children with life-threatening illnesses and their families helping with their emotional wellbeing. They fulfil wishes by providing gifts to individual children, donating their therapeutic toy ‘Olly The Brave’ and his story books, donate and support bespoke projects such as funding a Paediatric Palliative Care Consultant, and by furnishing the Magnolia House palliative care facility, at Birmingham Children’s Hospital, and so much more.

 

To donate please visit their fundraising page at JustGiving by searching Oakland and Friends and clicking on Attwell Run Warwick Half Marathon.

 

Added Samuel: “Our sincere thanks and gratitude to everyone for supporting us.”

PACKAGING PRODUCER RESPONSIBILITY PLAN FOR 2025 PUBLISHED

The Environment Agency have recently published the packaging producer responsibility monitoring plan for 2025 which includes the monitoring policy and the minimum number of persons they propose to monitor. 

 

The Environment Agency monitors compliance of businesses in England that have responsibilities under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging and Packaging Waste) Regulations 2024. This includes producers (including online marketplaces) and approved compliance schemes. 

 

The Environment Agency also monitors compliance of businesses in England that have responsibilities under the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 (amended). This includes accredited reprocessors and exporters. 

 

They monitor businesses to make sure that: 

  • packaging producers in England contribute to UK recycling targets 
  • all obligated producers register 
  • producer compliance schemes fulfil their legal duties on behalf of producer members 
  • producers and producer compliance schemes provide accurate data on packaging that is handled and recycled in the UK 
  • there is accurate data on registered producers 
  • reprocessors and exporters comply with their statutory duties, including conditions of accreditation 
  • waste packaging is recycled to the right standards 
  • waste packaging is recycled legally 

 

You can read the plan in full here  

 

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