A new report commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) is urging the UK to shift its focus beyond recycling and place greater emphasis on preventing waste through a more circular economy.
Produced by the University of Portsmouth’s Global Plastics Policy Centre (GPPC), the report reviews research and innovation across six priority sectors: food and agriculture, chemicals and plastics, electrical and electronic equipment, transport, textiles and the built environment.
A circular economy aims to keep products and materials in use for as long as possible through better design, repair, reuse and refurbishment. The report concludes that although activity is increasing across the UK, most efforts remain focused on recycling and waste management rather than reducing waste at its source.
Researchers found relatively few initiatives addressing the earlier stages of a product’s lifecycle, such as designing products for repair or expanding reuse systems. These areas offer some of the greatest opportunities to reduce resource consumption and environmental impacts.
The study also identified a gap between research and commercial deployment. While many promising innovations are being tested, too few progress beyond pilot projects to achieve widespread adoption.
In addition, many programmes measure activity rather than outcomes, making it difficult to assess their impact on reducing waste, emissions or material use.
Dr Antaya March, Director of the Global Plastics Policy Centre at the Revolution Plastics Institute, University of Portsmouth, said: “Recycling remains a part of a circular economy, but it cannot deliver the transition on its own. Our research found growing activity across all six sectors, yet much of this remains focused on managing waste after it has been created rather than preventing it in the first place.
“Greater attention to product design, reuse, repair and resource efficiency could help retain more value within the economy while reducing demand for new materials.”
The report concludes that stronger links between research, innovation and commercial deployment, supported by targeted policy and investment, will be essential to help the UK build a more circular economy.
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