Overview
A circular economy is one in which we value materials and keep them in use for as long as possible, while minimising harm to the environment from their extraction, processing, use and disposal. By shifting to an economy where waste and harmful materials are designed out and repair, reuse, remanufacturing and high quality recycling are the norm, we can create new jobs and increase the resilience of supply chains.
Since 2012, we have pioneered new approaches to preventing and reducing waste with our business consortium, the Circular Economy Task Force (CETF). It is currently chaired by Colin Church, chief executive of IOM3.
With the support of the CETF, Green Alliance conducts independent, objective research and analysis to inform resources policy, convening stakeholders from government, civil society and industry to develop and test ideas.
The task force has had a significant impact on government policy. For example, Defra’s 2018 resources and waste strategy adopted many of its recommendations, including harmonising recycling services and implementing an extended producer responsibility regime.
Read our most recent reports:
Changing fashion: what people want from a greener clothing industry 
The landscape of reuse is rapidly evolving, with a noticeable surge in interest from major corporations and a growing openness among the public to embrace second-hand goods, particularly amidst high cost of living. However, despite shifting attitudes, the full potential of the reuse economy remains untapped.
In this report, we investigate how reuse is working in the UK for the fashion sector. Research by PwC for the Circular Economy Task Force shows that reuse can already be profitable for fashion businesses, especially if they create appealing platforms and develop technologies to cut costs.
The findings underscore a public consensus that the government must take decisive action to curb overproduction in the fashion industry, with YouGov polling revealing strong support for policies prioritising quality over quantity. We conclude that the government should prioritise banning the destruction of unsold goods and establish an effective extended producer responsibility system for textiles. Such a system would not only improve data accuracy, but also set benchmarks for clothing quality, reduction and reuse, alongside facilitating effective recycling practices.
Ready steady grow: how the treasury can mainstream circular business
A more circular economy has the potential to create economic growth, improve resource security and support hundreds of thousands of jobs across the country.
To realise this potential, the government must make the circular economy a cross departmental priority. Given its important tax and spending responsibilities, as well as its role in co-ordinating government policy, the Treasury will be vital in steering this change.
We spoke to ten circular businesses to better understand their business case, the barriers to broader adoption of what they do and the incentives others need to follow suit. They revealed that fixing perversities in the tax system and cross cutting fiscal support would be particularly powerful in moving these models into the mainstream.
Circular construction
The construction sector uses more raw material than any other in the UK, produces the most waste and is responsible for a quarter of the country’s carbon emissions. It also faces challenges ranging from poor productivity and the need to solve housing shortages to supply chain risks and ensuring UK buildings and infrastructure are fit for a net zero carbon future. The industry needs an overhaul.
A more circular construction sector would help to solve many of these issues, making much better use of raw materials, avoiding unnecessary waste and supporting higher productivity with fewer negative impacts.
For this report we consulted a wide range of industry experts on what would have the best results. They told us that the industry already has the technology and the techniques, it just needs the right support to get on with it.
We recommend action in three important areas: finance, design and data, which would help to reduce this sector’s use of raw materials by 35 per cent, at the same time as dramatically cutting its climate impact.
Circular business: what companies need to make the switch
Circular business models cut carbon, create jobs and boost economic growth. We spoke to business leaders and industry about what government needs to do to support companies to switch to circular business models.
Critical point: securing the raw materials needed for the green transition
We highlight the supply chain risks of the critical raw materials needed to achieve net zero, and make the case for cutting energy use and a circular economy approach to ensure we stay within our ‘fair share’ of these vital resources.
Targeting success: why the UK needs a new vision for resource use
We call for a more ambitious and systemic approach to resource use. Even though higher product standards and recycling measures are necessary for a circular economy, without clear targets to reduce resource use itself, the UK cannot tackle its waste problem.
Design for a circular economy: reducing the impacts of the products we use
We set out how design influences a product’s environmental impact, and urge the government to fulfil its promise to match or exceed EU standards of ecodesign.
This report influenced the CCC to acknowledge the importance of resource efficiency in climate policy. Some of our recommendations feature in its advice to government on the sixth carbon budget. It also heavily influenced the Environmental Audit Committee’s report into e-waste and the circular economy, which contained 50 references to our work.
Partners
We’re grateful to the following partners for supporting our work.
The current members of the task force are INCPEN, Kingfisher, PwC, SUEZ, WRAP, and Zero Waste Scotland.
Related content
View AllReimagining resources: what’s holding back the circular economy?
18 November, 2024
Getting on track for a circular economy: how the government can avoid mistakes of the past
18 November, 2024
Mission critical: safeguarding resources for UK energy security
12 August, 2024
Measuring up: the potential of targets to reduce resource use
13 June, 2024
