Industry has reacted to the Environment Secretary’s speech on how the UK Government will support the nation’s transition to a circular economy.
Speaking at the Dock Shed in London, the Environment Secretary Steve Reed set out how the UK Government will provide direction for businesses to plan and “spearhead” the nation’s transition to a circular economy.
The government has now confirmed the first five priority sectors that the Taskforce will focus on – textiles, transport, construction, agri-food, and chemicals and plastics.
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) said the sectors were chosen after the Taskforce found they had the best potential to generate major economic gains while protecting the environment and delivering net zero.
The Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM)
Responding after attending the speech, Dan Cooke, CIWM’s Director of Policy, Communications and External Affairs, said the Institution looks forward to more engagement with the Taskforce to support its “vital work”.
He continued that it was important to raise the fact that the resources and wastes sector will be part of the bedrock of a more circular economy.
“The opportunity is clear to facilitate waste prevention, reuse and repair at scale, underpinned by higher recycling rates,” Cooke said.
“A more circular UK economy will bring jobs, skills and sustainable growth for our sector and the others we work with.”
Cooke also emphasised the importance of implementing reforms, such as Carriers, Brokers and Dealers regs and Digital Waste Tracking, to “make sure we can walk before we run”.
Environmental Services Association (ESA)
Executive Director of the ESA, Jacob Hayler, said: “With the right regulatory interventions, delivered correctly and consistently, our industry stands poised to invest a further £10 billion in the UK’s low-carbon circular economy over the next five to ten years, as the Secretary of State recognised today.
“These regulatory reforms include the long-awaited collection and packaging reforms, which the Secretary of State also referred to, as well as measures to stimulate markets for secondary raw materials and crack down on waste crime.
“Long-term policy clarity and the right targeted interventions will help our sector deliver the next generation of circular economy innovations at scale, and help our sector play our critical role in delivering Government’s binding recycling and resource-efficiency targets.
“It is deeply encouraging that Defra, under a Labour Government, shares our vision for a circular economy, particularly in recognising the benefits of a more resource-resilient UK economy on a volatile world stage, where supply chains for critical materials are far from guaranteed.”
WRAP
Head of Public Sector Partnerships and Policy and Insights at WRAP Keith James, a member of Circular Economy Taskforce, said: “We look forward to the publication of the Circular Economy Strategy this autumn, and regulatory roadmaps across the core industries of agriculture and food, textiles, the built environment, transport, and chemicals & plastics.
“We are already seeing the green roots of what is possible with a circular economy in these key industries in the UK.
“The UK is in prime position to build on these strong initiatives, and to learn from circular economies developing elsewhere in the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark.
“We will continue to support our industry and government partners to develop this green and healthy vision of a circular systems at scale through WRAP’s work, bringing circular living into every boardroom, and every home.”
North London Waste Authority (NLWA)
Reflecting on the announcement, NLWA Chair, Cllr Clyde Loakes said: “The government is moving at pace to meet its commitment on a circular economy, and it is right that the priority sectors announced – textiles, transport, construction, agri-food and chemicals & plastics – will be supported to move towards circularity and decarbonise their fossil heavy products.
“Yet it is concerning that local authorities who work on the front line of waste and resource management and play an imperative part in successfully delivering related policy, are not at the centre of the conversation.
“NLWA is keen to engage with the work of the Taskforce, which does not include local government representation on its membership.
“We will continue to call on the Taskforce to give us clear and meaningful ways to contribute to their work so we can successfully deliver a circular economy.”
Reconomy
Diane Crowe, Group Sustainability Director at the leading circular economy specialist Reconomy, welcomed the government’s commitment to accelerating the transition to a Circular Economy “given the pressing need to maximise our resources”.
“Closing the circularity gap is essential if we are to tackle both the environmental and economic costs of waste,” Crowe said.
“Innovation – like material passports and digital tracking – is already driving real change, but we need to see this momentum matched with a consistent and supportive regulatory framework that gives businesses the certainty to invest.
“A stable policy landscape will empower innovation to scale solutions, retain value from resources and reduce the environmental footprint of waste.
“We look forward to working closely with the government, the Circular Economy Taskforce and other businesses to realise our vision of a waste free world.”
