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International circular economy specialist, Reconomy has launched a 10-point regulatory framework aimed at supporting the new government to restructure the waste industry, unlock economic growth and tackle climate change.
The framework is published following the General Election with Steve Reed, Labour’s new DEFRA Secretary, already laying out his ambition to “create a roadmap to move Britain to a zero waste economy” as one of his five key priorities.
The project was completed with sustainability consultancy, Sancroft, utilising its deep understanding of the UK’s waste and resource management industries.
As part of its consultation process for the report, Reconomy engaged waste experts as well as public and private sector organisations. The resulting framework creates a consistent regulatory market within which businesses can operate and mitigate the negative environmental impacts of waste. It consists of 10 business-friendly principles to simplify the waste system, and make it easier for consumers and industries to boost recycling rates and manage resources.
The framework recommends:
- Creating national minimum standards to hold all waste providers to a new, higher sustainability standard
- Devising a new national infrastructure strategy consistent with today’s needs
- Developing nationally consistent and separate waste collection across the country
- Increasing frequency of Local Authority recycling collections
- Establishing a baseline data of waste figures to enable continuous monitoring
- Implementing Extended Producer Responsibility schemes to shift the burden of waste management onto producers
- Introducing eco-design standards including mandatory returnable packaging
- Ringfencing EPR funding to provide investment and subsidies to stimulate demand
- Digitising information to track resources digitally in real-time
- Creating an independent governing body to enact change
According to Reconomy, the framework addresses significant emissions from the waste sector, including energy-from-waste plants, accounting for six per cent of UK GHG emissions and landfill emissions accounting for 60 per cent of waste sector emissions. It adds, adopting this framework will not only have a material impact on emissions reduction and align with national efforts to keep global warming temperatures below 2°C, but will also unlock significant economic benefits. It is estimated that the full benefits of a circular economy could increase the value of the UK economy by £82 billion (GVA) and create up to 284,000 jobs in London alone by 2030.
The new government has the opportunity to put renewed impetus into achieving a more circular economy and the benefits this brings modern societies. Reconomy has invested significantly in the sector and its new proposed regulatory framework addresses the urgent need 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 the future and place businesses at the heart of the transition to a circular economy by ensuring reforms are aligned with sustainable growth strategies and work across different sectors.
Guy Wakeley, Group Chief Executive of Reconomy, said: “We are delighted to launch this framework to promote the circular economy and build a more sustainable future. To meet our climate objectives, protect finite resources and grow the economy, it is crucial this new government takes steps to help businesses and communities improve resource management.
“The joint Reconomy and Sancroft project team has produced an actionable 10-point strategy of structured and consistent reforms. By following this we can simplify the waste system and generate much needed investment in the system to move resources up the waste hierarchy.
“There is no better way for the new government to come good on its commitment to moving towards a zero waste economy than by championing our guiding principles to unlock growth, benefit businesses and materially reduce emissions. We look forward to working closely with businesses and the new government to realise our vision of a waste free world and invite those interested to discuss this work with us in more detail.”
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