OPINION: ‘Setting out a new framework for the UK’s waste industry’

A change in government heralds a fresh opportunity to re-evaluate the UK’s efforts in the fight against climate change and progress towards its Net Zero targets.

Focusing on the waste and resource management sector must be right at the top of the agenda.

The sector holds transformational potential to contribute to the new government’s sustainability objectives, given emissions from the waste sector currently account for 6% of the UK’s total Greenhouse Gas emissions.

Moreover, the transition towards a zero-waste economy will also help unlock the economic growth potential of the nation. It is estimated that a more circular economy could increase the value of the UK economy by £82 billion and create an extra 450,000 jobs by 2035.

However, recycling rates are stagnating meaning we are eating into finite resources.

To tackle this, the government needs a consistent regulatory framework within which businesses can operate, while mitigating the environmental impact of waste.

This can help simplify the system for all stakeholders, generate much needed investment in the sector’s infrastructure and move resources up the waste hierarchy – ultimately decoupling the consumption of finite resources from economic growth.

Reaching this goal means designing out waste in all stages of manufacture, keeping materials and products in use for much longer, and relying on renewable sources of energy to move away from fossil fuels.

But how can we achieve this?

At Reconomy, we conducted extensive research with notable think-tank Sancroft to create the context for a framework that would enable the government to take forward meaningful reforms of the sector, making it easier for consumers, businesses and the wider waste sector to manage resources.

Our ten principles, listed below, cover seven resource streams such as textiles and construction and include:

1. Creating national minimum standards to hold all waste providers to a new, higher sustainability standard
2. Devising a new national infrastructure strategy consistent with today’s needs
3. Developing nationally consistent and separate waste collection across the country
4. Increasing the frequency of Local Authority recycling collections
5. Establishing a baseline data of waste figures to enable continuous monitoring
6. Implementing Extended Producer Responsibility schemes to shift the burden of waste management onto producers
7. Introducing eco-design standards including mandatory returnable packaging
8. Ringfencing Extended Producer Responsibility funding to provide investment and subsidies to stimulate demand
9. Digitising information to track resources digitally in real-time
10. Creating an independent governing body to enact change

These achievable policies will enable the industry to invest confidently alongside the government, unlocking the economic and environmental benefits of a circular economy.

Additionally, this framework creates a template for new initiatives to drive waste separation, end landfill and incineration as easy disposal methods, incentivise responsible waste management and keep resources in circulation.

It lays out a path to enable greater investment in infrastructure, and places businesses at the heart of this transition to a circular economy by aligning reforms with sustainable growth strategies.

Most importantly, it recognises the urgent need for action and Reconomy stands ready to work with businesses and the government to kickstart stagnant recycling rates, combat climate change and unleash the growth potential of this country.