UK Government releases its Resources and Waste Strategy

The government has released its strategy to preserve material resources by minimising waste, promoting resource efficiency and moving towards a circular economy in England. The document sets out several measures designed to meet the government’s pledge in the 25 Year Environment Plan to leave the environment in a better condition for the next generation.



Manufacturers and businesses will be expected to take more responsibility for items that can be harder or costly to recycle, including cars, electrical goods and batteries. This will be achieved through extending the Producer Responsibility, so producers bear the full net cost of managing their products at the end of their life. The following have also been identified for extending Producer Responsibility; textiles, bulky wastes, specified construction and demolition, vehicle tyres and fishing gear.   



The strategy is looking to overhaul England’s waste system to improve recycling rates by simplifying recycling for homes and introducing a consistent approach with more frequent collections (introducing of separate food waste collection throughout the country).