Steve Reed announces plans to end UK ‘throwaway society’

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) has identified five priority sectors that will be the initial focus of the government's Circular Economy Taskforce. Environment Secretary Steve Reed announced that textiles, transport, construction, agri-food, and chemicals and plastics will be targeted for transformation as part of efforts to end Britain's ‘throwaway society’.

Speaking to industry leaders at Dock Shed in Canada Water today (27 March), Reed outlined plans to work with these sectors to create specific roadmaps for improving material use, backed by a Circular Economy Strategy to be published in autumn.

"It's time to end Britain's throwaway society – the status quo is economically, environmentally, and socially unsustainable," said Reed. "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."

The sectors were selected following extensive analysis by the taskforce, which was established in November 2024. It determined which sectors offered the greatest potential for economic gains while supporting environmental protection and Net Zero targets.

Keith James, member of Circular Economy Taskforce and Head of Public Sector Partnerships and Policy and Insights at the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP), added: "We look forward to the publication of the Circular Economy Strategy this autumn, and regulatory roadmaps across the core industries of agriculture and food, textiles, the built environment, transport, and chemicals & plastics.

"We are already seeing the green roots of what is possible with a circular economy in these key industries in the UK.

"Innovation is driving developments in chemical recycling in plastics, Textiles 2030 is helping to transform more than 60% of clothes placed on the UK market and the UK Food and the Drink Pact is addressing our broken food systems. The UK is in prime position to build on these strong initiatives, and to learn from circular economies developing elsewhere in the Netherlands, Germany and Denmark."

Addressing stagnating recycling rates

Reed emphasised that the transition to a circular economy has become essential as recycling rates have stagnated and too much waste continues to go to landfill or incineration.

The 2023/2024 recycling rate rose slightly to 44.0 per cent in England, according to Defra. Although the rate increased from 2022/23, household recycling is yet to reach 2019 levels.

The initiative forms part of the government's broader Plan for Change, aiming to boost economic growth while tackling environmental challenges.

"My vision for delivering a truly circular economy is an important step in kickstarting this path to change," Reed told attendees, which included representatives from Mace, Jaguar Land Rover, the Food and Drink Federation and the Environmental Services Association.

The government's approach responds to business calls for stronger leadership in this area, with the taskforce designed to provide greater certainty for long-term planning and investment in new infrastructure.

Andrew Morlet, chair of the Circular Economy Taskforce, 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.

“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."

Economic growth through resource efficiency and circular innovation

The government has highlighted multiple benefits of transitioning to a circular economy, including new profit streams for businesses, job creation, and strengthened supply chains. The upcoming waste reforms, including the Extended Producer Responsibility for packaging (pEPR) scheme and Simpler Recycling, set to be introduced at the end of the month, are expected to generate approximately £10 billion in new recycling infrastructure investment and create 21,000 green jobs.

Reed also pointed to national security benefits, noting that recent global instability has exposed vulnerabilities in international supply chains. He suggested that a circular economy approach would reduce Britain's dependence on imported materials, which currently account for 80 per cent of resources used.

Libby Peake, Head of Resource Policy at Green Alliance and member of the Circular Economy Taskforce, commented: "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.”

Mike Maudsley, CEO of Enfinium, responded to the announcement: “We welcome the Government’s efforts to promote the transition to a circular economy that supports economic growth. Society must reduce and reuse the waste it produces, with state-of-the-art energy from waste plants stepping in to manage the unrecyclable waste that will persist for years to come.”

The announcement follows a meeting at Mansion House between UK Government officials, the Dutch Government, and the City of London Corporation, where discussions focused on financing the transition to a circular economy.

The National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NADWO) added: "The National Association of Waste Disposal Officers (NAWDO) welcomes the Secretary of State’s speech making a firm commitment to delivering a Circular Economy, particularly the focus on how businesses can play a more significant role in reducing waste, increasing reuse and repair, and investing in new recycling infrastructure."