CIWM: Ten policy recommendations for the UK circular economy

The Let’s Not Waste the Next Four Years paper, published on 17 September 2025, followed an independent review of the UK’s policy landscape commissioned by CIWM’s Policy & Innovation Forum earlier this summer.

It highlighted where government and industry can collaborate to ensure the sector delivers its full economic and environmental potential.

According to CIWM, the four-year window to the next general election presents a critical opportunity to strengthen resource resilience, fully implement existing reforms and embed circular economy principles across UK policy.

Marcus Gover, Chair of CIWM’s Policy & Innovation Forum, said: “While all eyes are on the forthcoming Circular Economy Strategy for England, this review shows the importance of a wider policy perspective for operators and service providers in the resources and waste sector.

Ten recommendations for the circular economy

1. The circular economy must become central to Government thinking, since there is clear evidence that it directly supports its Plan for Change
2. Cross-Government policy integration must be strengthened across the resources and waste, energy, industrial strategy and net zero spheres
3. Skills England should broaden its focus to incentivise green skills initiatives and deliver more jobs
4. Improved resource resilience should remain a focus for Government with clear long-term advantages in the context of global political and economic instability
5. Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) should be applied for additional waste streams, including WEEE, batteries, textiles and mattresses, should remain a priority
6. Reuse and repair needs further, and specific, policy support including the establishment of clear targets and responsibilities throughout the supply chain
7. Dan Corry’s review of Defra’s Regulatory Landscape provides an opportunity for the resources and waste sector to work with regulators for improved outcomes
8. The increased cost of EfW, arising from bringing it into the UK ETS, must be reflected in packaging EPR fees to fully apply the polluter pays principle
9. The Resources & Waste Strategy 2018 reforms need to be fully implemented to ensure improved economic, social and environmental outcomes
10. Tackling waste crime needs more focus and additional resources as waste crime at all levels continues to be a £1 billion drag on the UK economy

Gover added: “Our recommendations show that there are major opportunities for UK Government and the Devolved Administrations to enable our sector to contribute in full to the shared ambitions of sustainable economic growth, more renewable energy, and acceleration towards net zero and a circular economy over the next four years and beyond.”

Dan Cooke, CIWM Director of Policy, Communications & External Affairs, commented: “This paper highlights the game-changing policies and regulations having to be navigated by our sector, which is the bedrock of any circular economy.

“Let’s not waste the next four years. By working closely with the sector on critical issues such as incentivising skills, tackling waste crime and aligning key policy themes, Government can take full advantage of the economic growth opportunities that the drive towards a circular economy and net zero must bring.”