The UK government has announced plans to publish a new Circular Economy Strategy this autumn. The strategy will focus on reducing waste and reusing materials across key sectors such as construction, textiles, and plastics.
Key priorities for the Circular Economy Taskforce
Environment Secretary Steve Reed confirmed that the Circular Economy Taskforce has identified five priority sectors for the strategy:
- Textiles
- Transport
- Construction
- Agri-food
- Chemicals and plastics
These sectors were chosen due to their potential for economic growth, waste reduction, and lower emissions. The taskforce will work with businesses to create sector-specific roadmaps to improve material use and promote sustainable practices.
Slashing waste and strengthening supply chains: The need for change
Reed stressed the importance of moving away from the current ‘take, use, and throw’ model. He highlighted the environmental and economic consequences of waste, stating:
“It’s time to end Britain’s throwaway society – the status quo is economically, environmentally, and socially unsustainable. Moving to a circular economy is a pivotal moment for British businesses to innovate, grow and lead the world, so we can slash waste and strengthen supply chains.”
Reed also emphasised that transitioning to a circular economy will create new jobs, strengthen supply chains, and reduce reliance on imported materials. He noted that this shift will not only benefit businesses but also contribute to the government’s broader goals for economic growth and sustainability.
Circular Economy Strategy to build on past reforms
The new strategy will build on measures from the 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy (RWS), which introduced policies such as:
- Regular food waste collections for homes in England
- A UK-wide deposit return scheme for drinks packaging
- Simpler recycling reforms
However, progress on these reforms has been slow due to delays caused by Covid-19 and changes in government leadership.
What happens next?
The UK Government aims to provide businesses with clear guidance and confidence to invest in new infrastructure. The success of the strategy will depend on strong policies, business engagement, and effective implementation.
The Circular Economy Strategy is expected to be released in autumn 2025.
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