Refuse workers on Dartford council contract vote to reject pay offer. More than 45 GMB members working on FCC Environment’s refuse collection contract in Dartford have rejected a 3.4 per cent pay offer by 92 per cent, according to the union, which says it will now move towards a formal ballot for strike action over pay it says lags behind neighbouring contracts.
GMB organiser Craig Prickett said members at FCC Dartford are being left behind on pay compared to refuse workers on neighbouring contracts. FCC Environment, which acquired the contract when it took over Urbaser in 2024, said it is in negotiations with the union but would not negotiate through the media. Workers on the contract previously struck over pay in July 2023 under Urbaser’s management.
Packaging firm Pact Group has invested in Plan B Circular, the UK textile-to-textile polyester recycler behind Project Re:claim, its joint venture with the Salvation Army Trading Company (SATCoL). The deal aims to scale polyester recycling ahead of EU legislation expected in 2028.
Sixteen international partners led by Danish Technological Institute have launched InFACT, a project to turn household flexible plastic waste such as crisp packets, coffee bags and meat films into new packaging, including food packaging. Less than 15 per cent of this material is currently recycled.