An estimated 4.3 million mini-fans are likely to be thrown away in household rubbish bins this year, according to new research from Material Focus. The latest surge mirrors a trend seen in July 2025, when demand for portable fans rose sharply during periods of hot weather.

The organisation said demand for the portable cooling devices has increased sharply during this summer's hot weather, with around 7.9 million mini-fans expected to be bought across the UK in 2026.

Material Focus said the figures illustrate the rise of so-called "FastTech" products – inexpensive electrical items designed for convenience, including mini-fans, charging cables, earbuds and novelty gadgets, which are often discarded after limited use or left unused in homes.

What is "FastTech"? FastTech refers to inexpensive, mass-produced electronic gadgets with short lifespans that consumers often treat as disposable and discard after minimal use.

Scott Butler, Executive Director of Material Focus, said: "Mini-fans, one of the poster children of FastTech, first appeared en masse last year and more are surging onto the market during this heatwave, helping us deal with this extreme heat.

"However, as quickly as they are bought, many are thrown away or lie forgotten at the bottom of our drawers of doom."

The not-for-profit said online interest in mini-fans rose significantly during June's heatwave, with Google searches for the products more than twice as high as in the previous month.

Although the devices have become increasingly popular during spells of hot weather, Material Focus warned that they are frequently disposed of incorrectly despite containing materials that can be recovered and reused, including copper, lithium and small quantities of gold.

If mini-fans are placed in general household waste, those resources are lost when the products are sent for disposal through landfill or energy recovery rather than being recycled.

Butler added: "What we should do instead is make sure if it doesn't work anymore we safely recycle it.

"Search up recycle your electricals to find your nearest recycling point."

There are approximately 30,000 locations across the UK where small electrical items can be recycled, including household waste recycling centres, participating supermarkets and electrical retailers.

The organisation is encouraging people to recycle unwanted mini-fans through these collection points rather than disposing of them in their household waste.

The government has confirmed that the introduction of mandatory kerbside collections for plastic films and flexible packaging in England has been postponed until 1 April 2030.

Under the original Simpler Recycling regulations, councils were due to begin collecting these materials from households by 31 March 2027.

However, following ongoing concerns about the availability of processing infrastructure and viable end markets, Defra has delayed the requirement by three years.

The department announced the change last week, with updates to the Simpler Recycling regulations expected to be made during the next parliamentary session.

The postponed requirement covers a range of commonly used flexible plastic packaging, including crisp packets, bread bags and reusable shopping bags.

Gareth Rollings, Chair of the Local Authority Recycling Advisory Committee (LARAC), said: "LARAC welcomes the Government's intention to move the mandatory collection date for plastic films and flexibles to 1 April 2030.

"This reflects the concerns that our members have consistently raised about the readiness of the wider system and the financial and operational consequences for local authorities.

"The additional three years must now be used constructively by government and industry to build that infrastructure and provide local authorities with the clarity they need to plan."

The challenge of flexible packaging

Flexible packaging is often made from multiple polymers – including polyethylene (PE), polypropylene (PP), PET and others – combined with inks, adhesives and barrier layers such as aluminium.

These multi-material structures deliver performance benefits but complicate both mechanical and chemical recycling.

At the same time, recycled flexible plastics struggle to compete with virgin polymer produced in large-scale, highly optimised facilities. Recycling plants tend to operate at far smaller scale, with higher costs and less mature technology.

The FlexCollect programme, which concluded in September 2025, found that although collections could be successfully introduced, the UK still lacks enough recycling and reprocessing capacity to deal with the volumes expected once mandatory collections are rolled out nationwide.

PackUK has released an updated version of its Recyclability Assessment Methodology, known as RAM 2027, following extensive consultation with industry stakeholders.

The revised framework builds on RAM version 1.1, which was published in April 2025, and reflects input from producers, trade bodies, technical experts, and recycling operators.

The methodology is a key part of the UK’s packaging Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) system, where packaging is scored as green, amber, or red depending on how easily it can be recycled.

These ratings directly affect the level of fees producers must pay, with less recyclability leading to higher costs.

Scope and rollout of RAM 2027

PackUK has confirmed that RAM 2027 applies to the 2027 Data Year and 2028 Compliance Year. Therefore, if you expect to report Household, Public Binned or Glass Household Drinks Containers in the 2027 Data Year, it is recommended that you review the updated RAM at your earliest convenience to get ahead of any potential Red/Amber/Green ‘RAG’ classification changes.

The first reporting deadline under the new version is scheduled for 1 October 2027.

The updated framework is intended to make assessments more consistent and easier to apply, while better reflecting how packaging actually performs within UK collection, sorting, and reprocessing systems.

RAM 2027 introduces a series of refinements to definitions, material rules, and guidance notes, developed with support from the RAM Technical Advisory Committee and recycling data collected from real-world facilities.

According to PackUK, these updates are designed to reduce uncertainty in assessments and ensure producers apply the rules more consistently across different packaging types.
The organisation also said RAM 2027 is more closely aligned with actual recycling performance in the UK, improving the connection between design choices and what can realistically be collected and reprocessed at scale.

Impact on pEPR fees

Under the UK pEPR system, producers must evaluate household packaging using the RAM framework. Packaging rated green is considered widely recyclable and benefits from lower fees. Amber indicates partial recyclability or system limitations, while red signifies the poorest recyclability and attracts the highest charges.

The modulated fee system is a central feature of pEPR reforms, which aim to transfer the full net cost of managing household packaging waste from local authorities to producers.

PackUK has also indicated that the methodology will continue to be reviewed annually, ensuring it keeps pace with changes in recycling infrastructure, regulation, and material innovation.

A year after the UK banned single-use vapes, the waste and recycling industry is intensifying calls for a nationwide vape takeback scheme.

The ban on disposable vapes, introduced on 1 June 2025, was designed to cut environmental harm and tackle rising youth use.

While campaigners say it has reduced the number of throwaway devices entering the waste stream, evidence suggests the wider problem of vape disposal remains far from solved.

New figures from Material Focus estimate that 6.3 million vapes and pods are still being binned every week across the UK, despite legal obligations for retailers to offer takeback services.

That figure marks a 23% drop compared with the previous year, with sales of disposable-style devices also down by almost a third, showing the ban has had a measurable effect.

But industry leaders say regulation alone has not changed consumer habits enough.

A Deposit Scheme for Vapes

Waste firms are now urging ministers to back a deposit-style return system for vapes, arguing that financial incentives could significantly increase recycling rates.

Under proposals put forward, consumers would pay a small upfront charge when buying a vape, reclaimable once the used device is returned through existing retailer collection schemes.

Supporters say the infrastructure is already in place, but uptake remains low because there is little motivation for people to return devices.

A consumer poll found that 85% of people would be more likely to return used vapes if they received money back, with respondents suggesting a deposit of around £4 would be enough to encourage participation.

Patrick Brighty, Head of Recycling Policy at the ESA, added: “We believe a small refundable deposit on vape devices at the point of purchase is a simple, fair, efficient and cost-neutral solution that will see millions more vapes recycled properly across the UK.”

The Rise of Waste Fires

The renewed push comes amid growing concern over battery fires linked to discarded vapes.

Material Focus has previously reported that more than 1,200 fires were recorded in waste trucks and recycling centres during 2023/24, many linked to lithium-ion batteries hidden in general waste.

The shift away from disposables has also created a new challenge, with many consumers now buying cheap rechargeable models but continuing to treat them as single-use items.

Industry research suggests these devices are often discarded with substantial battery charge still remaining, increasing the fire risk even further.

Exchange for Change has unveiled a package of support measures designed to help retailers prepare for the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme.

The deposit management organisation said the support arrangements, developed in collaboration with regulators in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland, aim to give retailers flexibility in deciding how they take part in the DRS.

Current regulations already exempt urban retailers with a retail footprint below 100 square metres from the requirement to provide a return point for eligible drinks containers. Exchange for Change has now confirmed that exemption eligibility will be widened.

Urban stores with sales areas between 100 and 199 square metres will be able to apply for size-related exemptions, while rural retailers with less than 200 square metres of selling space will also have access to the same route.

Further exemption criteria will cover circumstances such as being located close to another return point, operating from listed or heritage properties, having restricted site access, or lacking the utilities needed to support return infrastructure.

Russell Davies, Chief Executive of Exchange for Change, commented: “Retailers will play a fundamental role in transforming how we increase recycling and reduce litter in every corner of the UK through the Deposit Return Scheme.

“This package of support has been developed following extensive consultation with industry and intended to help retailers of different sizes make the best choice for their business, whether that’s installing an RVM or applying for an exemption.”

Grants to Hit 10,000 Small Retailers

Along with the revised exemption arrangements, Exchange for Change announced a £60 million grant programme to assist smaller retailers with the installation of reverse vending machines.

The funding pot is expected to benefit as many as 10,000 independent stores across England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Eligible retailers will be able to claim grants worth £6,000 for each participating site, with the money distributed in three annual payments of £2,000.

According to Exchange for Change, each payment will be issued three months after an RVM has been installed.

The grants are designed to offset the initial costs associated with introducing reverse vending technology and will sit alongside the Return Handling Fee (RHF) available to participating retailers.

Earlier this month, Exchange for Change confirmed the RHF rates that will apply once the DRS is operational. Manual return points will receive 3p for every eligible container collected.

Retailers using reverse vending machines will receive payments based on annual volumes.

A fee of 5p per container will apply to the first 225,000 eligible containers processed each year, with returns above that level attracting a payment of 1.3p per container.

Exchange for Change has announced the return handling fees (RHFs) that retailers will receive for collecting beverage containers under the UK’s forthcoming Deposit Return Scheme (DRS).

According to the scheme administrator, the fee model was developed through a six-month process involving industry consultation, stakeholder engagement, and detailed technical assessment with retailers, producers, and trade organisations.

The RHF is designed to reimburse retailers for the costs incurred when accepting empty drinks containers returned by consumers through the DRS.

These payments are intended to offset expenses such as purchasing collection equipment, storing returned containers, training employees, and allocating retail space to support the scheme when it launches across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland in October 2027.

Tiered Payment Structure Introduced

Exchange for Change confirmed that retailers operating manual return points will receive 3p for every eligible container returned.

Businesses using reverse vending machines (RVMs) will be compensated through a tiered fee structure.

Automatic return points will earn 5p per container on the first 225,000 eligible items collected each year. Any returns above that volume will attract a reduced fee of 1.3p per container.

The organisation explained that the payment framework was created to accommodate the wide range of retail formats across the UK, recognising that operating costs and collection volumes differ significantly between small stores and larger retailers.

Russell Davies, CEO of Exchange for Change, commented: “The UK’s retail landscape is unique in the world, spanning large supermarket chains, medium-sized franchises and a very high ratio of small and independent convenience stores compared to other nations.

“This means the network of return points across the UK will be extensive, and the nature of collections will range from small convenience stores manually collecting and returning a small amount of containers, through to large multinational supermarket chains operating multiple reverse vending machines that collect several thousand containers each week at every store.”

Davies added that the fee model has been designed to reflect these differences and provide an equitable approach for retailers of all sizes.

Financial Framework for the Deposit Return Scheme

The announcement provides additional clarity on the funding structure of the DRS. It follows recent confirmation that consumers will pay a standard 20 pence deposit on all eligible drinks containers and that the scheme will operate under the Exchange for Change brand.

Exchange for Change also stated that the RHF levels will be reviewed before the scheme becomes operational and reassessed annually thereafter.

Future evaluations will use real operational data gathered through the DRS, allowing assumptions and cost calculations to be adjusted as more evidence becomes available.

The organisation believes this process will help ensure the fee structure remains appropriate and responsive to the experiences of producers, retailers, and scheme operators.

The UK government has opened a consultation on potential changes to the Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), including stricter verification rules for recycled plastic claims.

Issued by HMRC on 18 May 2026, the consultation will run for 12 weeks and examine whether companies seeking PPT exemptions should provide certified proof for mechanically recycled plastic used in packaging.

The government says the review is intended to address concerns about inaccurate or potentially fraudulent declarations relating to recycled content.

It is also gathering feedback on the possible introduction of compulsory third-party certification for packaging that contains mechanically recycled plastics.

This follows earlier announcements confirming that chemically recycled plastics will require certification from April 2027, alongside the adoption of a mass balance accounting approach under the PPT framework.

The Plastic Packaging Tax

Introduced in April 2022, the Plastic Packaging Tax was designed to encourage greater use of recycled plastics in packaging production.

Packaging made with 30% or more recycled plastic is exempt from the levy. Packaging that falls below this threshold is currently taxed at a rate of £228.82 per tonne.

HMRC stated that businesses and industry groups have continued to express concerns about the reliability of evidence used to support recycled content declarations, particularly where imported packaging is involved.

The consultation document says certification requirements could help reduce the likelihood of false or inaccurate claims, create more consistent evidence standards, and strengthen enforcement efforts.

Although HMRC noted that it currently has limited evidence of widespread fraud, organisations such as the British Plastics Federation (BPF) and RECOUP have repeatedly argued for more robust verification procedures.

Much of the concern relates to imported materials and the challenge of tracking recycled content across complex international supply chains.

Proposed Certification Model

Rather than introducing a single mandatory certification provider, the government is considering a system in which businesses could select from approved third-party schemes that meet defined legal criteria.

The proposed schemes would focus on traceability and chain-of-custody checks for recycled materials, with inspections carried out by accredited auditors.

If implemented, companies across the supply chain – including recyclers and packaging manufacturers – would need certification for the PPT exemption to apply.

Importers would likewise be expected to secure valid certification from overseas suppliers.

HMRC added that the proposed framework would closely mirror the certification system currently being developed for chemically recycled plastic packaging.

The consultation period ends on 10 August 2026, and responses will help shape any future legislative changes.