Environment secretary to vow to ‘end throwaway culture’

The environment secretary has said he will “vow to end throwaway culture” and “make reuse and repair the norm” in a speech he will make in London.  

The plan will include the work of the Circular Economy Taskforce, which has confirmed the first five priority sectors it will focus on: textiles, transport, construction, agri-food, and chemicals and plastics. 

The Taskforce will now work with these sectors to create a series of specific roadmaps to improve and reform the approach to using materials, underpinned by a Circular Economy Strategy which will be published in Autumn.

The speech will highlight how the roadmaps will provide “direction and certainty” for businesses as the UK moves towards a circular economy.  

Ahead of the event, Reed commented: “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. 

“My vision for delivering a truly circular economy is an important step in kickstarting this path to change. That is why we are bringing together the brightest minds from industry, academia and civil society to deliver this, which won’t just clean up our streets and reduce the need for landfill and incineration, but help us cut carbon emissions, create new jobs and increase business profitability.” 

The speech will take place later today at the Dock Shed in southeast London and will have the likes of Jaguar Land Rover, the Food and Drink Federation (FDF) and the Environmental Services Association (ESA) in the audience. 

The Circular Economy Taskforce

In December 2024, the government set up the Circular Economy Taskforce to design the first strategy to begin the transition to a circular economy in England. 

The taskforce is chaired by Andrew Morlet, former CEO of the Dame Ellen MacArthur Foundation.  

Morlet said: “Transitioning to a circular economy is an ambitious but crucial goal as this government kickstarts economic growth and turns Britain into a clean energy superpower.  

“I welcome the vision set out by the environment secretary at this critical juncture in our journey. Our taskforce will bring together industry, academic and policy experts with central and local government to ensure we maximise its potential fully by creating jobs, increasing resource efficiency and accelerating the path to net zero.” 

Libby Peake, head of resource policy at the Green Alliance and member of the Circular Economy Taskforce, added: “Waste is baked into our current economic system and causes us harm on so many levels. It’s degrading our environment and international supply chains to the extent that economic shocks become inevitable. It adds a cost burden to the businesses’ bottom lines and frustrates people who are fed up with shoddy products, blatant waste and litter.  

“But as the environment secretary outlines today, it really doesn’t have to be this way and it’s great to hear his vision for how innovative, circular businesses will thrive in the UK in future. It’s an incredible opportunity to help bring that about this change as part of the government’s Circular Economy Taskforce.”