WasteRecruit Ltd

20/01/2026

Just how toxic is recycling?

New EU watchdog says there should be more caution.

For decades the focus has been on recycling volumes, now there are increasing questions on chemicals and long term safety.

While recycling methods are constantly evolving and improving, these are not questions to be ignored.

Recyclers are typically not required to know what chemicals are in the waste they process. A new policy briefing by waste advocacy group Zero Waste Europe ( ...

18/01/2026

While the world debates, China is taking action.

Reforming plastic packaging to create a circular economy.

This article makes for some interesting reading.

China has outlined measures for packaging recycling in two action plans, aiming to enhance circularity while supporting stronger waste governance and expanded recycling systems. In its detailed plan for renewable resource recycling, the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) encourag...

17/01/2026

Precious resources, highest recycling risk.

Is it worth it?

So many fires are caused by batteries, but that's not a reason to NOT recycle them.

Batteries cause fires when they're improperly disposed of in residual waste. When they're crushed surrounded by (often) flammable substances. Igniting slowly and unseen, until spreading to larger loads.

As this article highlights, this can change when disposals change and collections support this. It's an example of having the systems and skills in place to improve recycling efforts.

Offering kerbside collections for electrical items and portable batteries can significantly increase recycling rates, according to Material Focus.

16/01/2026

Investing in clearing the bottleneck

That's good news for renewables.

Generating clean energy isn't the hard part. Storage and transmission so that it's available when needed has been the challenge.

As the investment in projects like this increase, green skills will be in demand.

Key to success willed be hiring skilled people.

The way to do that is to test for skills, not rely on certificates and CV's.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/gusbartholomew_4840-clicks-to-live-sustainability-roles-activity-7417853132279410688-blsg

13/01/2026

We were always going to miss it.

The more important question is what are we going to do about it?

Policy, investment - both are important.
But it's skills that move the needle.

Hiring the right people with attitudes and behaviour that impact productivity, and increase profitability - that's what will accelerate change.

To find those people is easier than you think.

Well it is for us after 30 years of recruiting for renewables.

Ask us how.

The UK is on course to miss its 2030 clean power target by up to a decade due to delays in offshore wind, nuclear closures and rising electricity demand, according to analysis by Cornwall Insight.

11/01/2026

How do we boost the demand for recycled plastic?

Competitive pricing from plastic producers is making it challenging for recyclers to compete.

According to FEAD, the EU's new circular economy pilot actions fail to boost recycled plastic content demand.

10/01/2026

Pledges to do more for the environment are very much needed and to have a show of public support at the start of a new year is promising.

The challenge is that good intentions don't translate into action unless people have a roadmap of what to do.

This is where there waste and resource sector has a valuable role to fill. The knowledge and expertise exists. With a focus on developing skills and assessing attitudes and behaviour when recruiting for key roles, those pledges can become so much more.

People are looking to boost the environment this year, rather than health and wellbeing

09/01/2026

Excluding plastic from recycling plans, how's that?

Is it just an oversight?

This is exactly what campaigners are highlighting with the new circularity plans that have been published in Scotland.

Time for those with recycling expertise and skills to add their voice.

Campaigners from Friends of the Earth Scotland have raised the alarm about the omission of plastic from the Scottish government's draft Circular Econom ...

08/01/2026

This is good news, but also fair warning.

The number of planning approvals for renewable projects jumped last year.

Do we have the skills to support this growth and more importantly how do we develop them?

There's an opportunity to access expertise from other industry sectors as many skills are transferable, IF:

- you know how define which skills are needed for success in a role
- you know how to assess these skills

And, most importantly, you have the systems to back this up with data.

We've recently launched our online WasteRecruit assessments to enable hiring managers in renewables to hire people that add to productivity and profitability. Using a proven system, backed by science and 30 year's experience recruiting for the renewables and resource sectors.

DM if you want to find out how to identify skilled candidates most likely to succeed in a role.

The consultancy says more than 45GW of capacity received planning consent in 2025, a 96% increase on the roughly 23GW approved in 2024. That capacity is

03/01/2026

Battery fires remain a major challenge in recycling.

Can targeted campaigns make a difference?

Local authorities are warning Liverpool residents about the growing risk of fires caused by binned batteries and electrical items.

02/01/2026

A reality check for EPR.

It was never going to be the silver bullet, magically transforming recycling.

It doesn't mean can't make an impact.

Extended Producer Responsibility frameworks are directing materials towards recycling rather than higher-value reuse and repair, according to a new policy brief from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, which calls for stronger fee incentives and clearer regulation to support circular economy goals. Exte...

31/12/2025

Here's to 2026 being a great year!

Thank you to all our partners, colleagues and clients for your continued support.