A new report recently launched by CIWM Group, “Let’s Not Waste the Next Four Years”, highlights how the resources and waste sector can drive the UK’s transition to a circular economy and net zero.
The report outlined ten recommendations for the sector and the UK Government to deliver on their mutual priorities of jobs, growth and investment, and to accelerate a resilient circular economy.
The summarised recommendations are:
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.
The review and recommendations can be found in our summary paper and the full paper can also be viewed online.