Wales showcases circular economy progress at international conference
Wales' journey towards a circular economy took centre stage at the Circular Economy Hotspot conference in Cardiff today (8 Oct). The annual international event, which highlights circular economy initiatives and innovations in different host regions, provides a platform for businesses, policymakers, and other stakeholders to share best practices and explore partnerships for transitioning away from a linear economy.
In a keynote address, Deputy First Minister Huw Irranca-Davies highlighted Wales' transformation over the past two decades. "From the beginning of the Welsh Government's existence back in 1999 we recycled less than five per cent of our municipal waste. We sent 95 per cent to landfill. Today, that rate is 1.6 per cent and we are aiming to phase it out entirely.
Wales has now climbed to second in the world for recycling, with our recycling rate climbing from less than 5 per cent of our waste to now over 65 per cent." This achievement, he noted, is underpinned by the Welsh Government's "Beyond Recycling" strategy, which aims to move Wales towards becoming a zero-waste, net-zero carbon nation.
The Deputy First Minister emphasised that this success was not achieved in isolation. "Our recycling success is underpinned by several things. From the outset, we've had that clear, long term vision, consistent policy and progressive regulations, and we've also, by the way, invested one billion pounds since devolution to make this happen," he explained.
The importance of partnerships emerged as a key theme throughout the conference. Councillor Andrew Morgan, Leader of the Welsh Local Government Association, commented: "I have to give credit to the partnership that we've had between the Welsh Government, local government, third sector, and private sector. It would not be possible without bringing those people and those ideas and the practices together."
Sebastian Munden, Chair of WRAP, highlighted the economic potential of a circular economy, stating: "Our estimates show that as well as the environmental rewards, a fully circular economy could create up to 30,000 new jobs in Wales and deliver annual savings of 2 billion pounds in material costs alone."
The conference showcased various innovative circular economy initiatives in Wales, including the expansion of repair and reuse facilities. Irranca-Davies noted: "80 per cent of our local authorities now have a dedicated reuse or a repair facility serving our communities in Wales, and we are working to expand our coverage further right across the whole of Wales."
International perspectives provided a global context to the circular economy discussion. Uxue Itoiz, Director General for Energy, Business R&D&I and Entrepreneurship from Navarra, Spain, presented on the European Circular Innovation Ballet project, emphasising the importance of cross-regional collaboration in advancing circular economy initiatives.
Ben Burggraaf, CEO of Net Zero Industry Wales, discussed the role of industry in the transition to a circular economy. He highlighted the scale of investment required, stating, "The South Wales industrial cluster needs to invest 30 billion pounds between now and 2040 to reduce 16 million tons of emissions." This figure underscores the magnitude of the transition ahead and the potential for significant industrial transformation.
While acknowledging the progress made, speakers also addressed future challenges. Carsten Gerhardt, Chairman of the Circular Valley Foundation, pointed out the global scale of resource use: "There's 100 billion tons of emissions that are taken from the technosphere to the biosphere each and every year." This perspective highlighted the need for continued innovation and global cooperation to address these challenges.
Concluding his keynote, Deputy First Minister Irranca-Davies articulated Wales' ambitious vision: "Our aim together is clear to move to be a zero waste, a net zero carbon nation, here in Wales, using only our fair share of the Earth's resources."
