CIWM and Resource Futures call for clear new resources and waste strategy

A new policy briefing – developed by Resource Futures and released by CIWM – lays out how the UK Government should build on progress made under the 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy by setting out a long-term plan to support investment, resource security and economic growth.

The CIWM policy briefing – titled ‘A New Strategic Direction for the Resources and Waste Sector in England’ calls for a clear new strategic direction for England’s resources and waste sector that can provide the long-term certainty and confidence needed to plan and invest for the 2030s and beyond, as well as setting out clear opportunities and priorities for the next generation of resources and waste policy.

With the 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy entering its final phase of implementation, the time has come to articulate a new strategy and roadmap that can cover the period of the Sixth Carbon Budget (2033–37) and, ideally, extend as far as 2042, when the long-term residual waste reduction target falls. This would provide the resources and waste sector with sufficient time to plan for and invest in the changes required.

The briefing recognises the progress made under the 2018 strategy, with Defra expecting England to achieve 90–100% of its 2030 interim waste reduction target. However, at present it remains unclear how the 2042 target will be met. The next generation of policy measures must build on this progress and unleash the sector’s potential to contribute to the UK’s reindustrialisation and economic resilience.

While the interviewees that supplied insight for the briefing confirmed a sector-wide commitment to supporting the wider delayed Circular Economy Growth Plan, they highlighted that a specific resources and waste roadmap will be immensely valuable in setting out how the sector can support this transition.

The briefing notes that a next-generation resources and waste strategy must continue to improve recycling and accelerate the decarbonisation of residual waste management, while going significantly further in terms of enabling materials to be retained further up the waste heirarchy. In particular, it calls for the strategy to:

• Go beyond packaging and food waste, extending the focus to other high-impact materials including textiles, electrical and electronic equipment and construction and demolition waste.
• Go beyond recycling to incentivise reuse and reduction, supporting repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and product lifetime extension.
• Go beyond consistent and improved collections, creating stronger domestic demand for recycled materials and reused products and encouraging investment in UK reprocessing, refurbishment and remanufacturing.
• Go beyond environmental goals, recognising the strategic role resource management can play in economic resilience and security, reindustrialisation, social value and skilled employment.
• Tackle health and safety and waste crime, ensuring these core issues are improved and do not undermine progress across the sector.

The briefing argues geopolitical uncertainty and disruption to international supply chains place greater emphasis on resource security. It highlights the opportunity to retain more value within the UK by developing stronger domestic markets for secondary materials and reused products, supporting investment in reprocessing, refurbishment and remanufacturing, and creating skilled jobs in every region.

“There has been significant and welcome progress under the 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy, but we now need to look ahead and provide this vital sector with a clear sense of direction for the 2030s,” comments Dan Cooke, CIWM Director of Policy, Communications and External Affairs. “We hope to see a high-level and ambitious Circular Economy Growth Plan published soon, but this sector needs a coherent strategic roadmap to deliver on its potential and continue the strong progress made over recent years towards greater UK resource efficiency. The next strategy must build on what has already been achieved while broadening our ambition beyond recycling, renewable energy and better collections.”

“Resource security is a prerequisite for economic prosperity in the UK, with serious constraints already emerging in areas like IT equipment,” submits Susan Evans, Policy Lead at Resource Futures and author of the policy briefing. “Other countries and regions have recognised this and are adopting measures to boost domestic markets for recycled and reused goods. With a clear direction of travel, and a map for how this will be supported through policy, the sector can position itself for the future – underpinning local value and jobs in all sectors and every region.”

“Businesses and local authorities need sufficient certainty and lead-in time to invest in critical infrastructure and improved services,” adds Marcus Gover, Chair of CIWM’s Policy & Innovation Forum. “A clear, achievable long-term strategy can provide that confidence while helping to strengthen resource security, support economic growth and create more skilled jobs.”

The briefing concludes that, with the right policy support, the resources and waste sector can play a critical role in supporting UK economic growth and security, creating skilled careers and enabling and revitalising strong local economies.

Read ‘A New Strategic Direction for the Resources and Waste Sector in England’