Whitepapers & publications
June 2026
Reimagining Recycling: The Economic and Environmental Imperative for UK Plastics Recycling Infrastructure
The UK's plastics recycling is facing serious commercial challenges but the benefits of supporting the sector are significant. Our independent report, commissioned by Viridor, finds that 22% of domestic recycling capacity has been lost since 2023, creating a growing gap between the plastics being collected for recycling and the infrastructure needed to process them domestically. The report sets out how the right government support could unlock up to £5.9 billion in private investment, generate £28 billion in Gross Value Added, and create nearly 8,000 jobs, while avoiding over 143 million tonnes of CO₂ equivalent emissions by 2060. Addressing fraud in recycled polymer markets, reducing offtake volatility, and de-risking emerging technologies are among the measures identified as key to making that investment happen.
Find out more and read the full report here
25th September 2025
Strategic approaches to minimising emissions trading schemes costs for waste producers
With less than three years to go until energy-from-waste becomes part of the UK Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS), a SUEZ recycling and recovery UK commissioned report authored by consultancy Ceres Waste, Renewables & Environment lays bare the potential impact on local authority waste management budgets, and outlines how existing, proven technologies and services can be used to best effect to mitigate cost increases.
Find out more and read the full report here: SUEZ commissioned report finds scope to mitigate potentially significant ETS costs - SUEZ in UK
March 2025
The systemic impact of ETS on the resources & waste sector
We announced the launch of a new report highlighting critical considerations for integrating the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) into the UK's Energy from Waste (EfW) sector.
The report, produced by Ceres Waste, Renewables and Environment in partnership with CIWM, calls on the UK ETS Authority to ensure that cost allocation fully reflects waste composition, emphasising that failure to do so will undermine carbon reduction incentives. It also highlights the potential for a £660 million annual increase in local authority costs.
The full report is available here: PowerPoint Presentation
September 2025
Clear Skies Ahead - a review of the potential for waste derived, sustainable aviation fuel
Ceres supported Philip New and Prysm Global to develop the waste related elements of the “Clear Skies Ahead’ which makes a number of key recommendations to ensure success for the UK’s SAF mandate. Ceres provided data and commentary on the waste market and how feedstock availability and pricing for waste-derived feedstock for SAF is expected to evolve as a result of policy, regulation and commercial pressures.
The full report can be found here.
