The Circular Economy Taskforce is undertaking extensive engagement with industry leaders, trade associations, and other key stakeholders across the priority sectors to ensure that the Circular Economy Strategy for England reflects the needs and insights of all involved.  

As a reminder the priority sectors previously announced are:  

• Chemicals and Plastics 
• Built environment 
• Textiles 
• Transport 
• Agrifood 

The Taskforce has several events planned through to the summer and beyond. These include workshops, webinars, panels, and roundtables focused on various aspects of the circular economy. Invites to these events are going out over the coming weeks. Upcoming events include:  

• Textiles: Ministerial Roundtable and  Stakeholder Webinars 
• Electricals: Ministerial Roundtable, Stakeholder Webinar and Panel Discussions 
• Built Environment:  Stakeholder Webinars and Roundtables 
• Agrifood: Stakeholder Webinar and Specialised Panels 
• Transport: Stakeholder Webinar 
• Chemicals: Stakeholder Webinar and Targeted Workshop 
• Circular Economy Festival- Minister Creagh / Emma Bourne attendance  

These events aim to seek views from all those who have expressed an interest in supporting the Taskforce as well as discussing policy options with those who have expertise in particular areas, gather insights from across the value chains, and drive forward sector-specific initiatives.  

As part of our ongoing efforts to develop the Circular Economy Strategy, Ministers are also hosting a series of activities with our priority sectors and cross-cut topics over the coming months. Further details to follow.  

For answers to questions taken at the April Engagement forum, please read on. 

Questions and Answers

Question: Where does the Maximising Resources, Minimising Waste (MRMW) programme for England fit with the Circular Economy work programme? 

Answer: The ‘Maximising Resources, Minimising Waste’ Waste Prevention Programme for England was published under the previous government, and, like other outputs of that period, are no longer government policy. However, MRMW comprises a valuable range of ideas, evidence, learning, and stakeholder insight, upon which the new government will draw. The Circular Economy Taskforce is building on many sources, including MRMW, to shape a comprehensive and effective Circular Economy Strategy for England.

Question: What workstream does food-contact materials fit in, especially the end market for flex plastics? Agrifood or Chemicals and Plastics?

Answer: Packaging is considered a cross-cutting issue as it relates to so many different sectors and products. Food contact materials are being considered as part of agri-food roadmap development. However, packaging proposals will look beyond agri-food. 

Question: Will engagement with Circular Economy Network primarily focus on those who signed up under the priority cross-cutting enablers?  

Answer: Yes. In the first phase of the Circular Economy Taskforce’s work, it is prioritising engagement with sectors and cross-cutting issues. These sectors have been identified as areas with the greatest potential to grow the economy, protect our environment, provide new income for businesses, generate thousands of skilled jobs, and ensure resilience in the face of global supply chain shocks. 
This approach ensures high-quality, meaningful engagement with key stakeholders. We expect to progress to other sectors in future phases of the work.  
The Taskforce has already begun extensive engagement with industry leaders, trade associations, and other key stakeholders to ensure that the Circular Economy Strategy for England reflects the needs and insights of all involved. Looking ahead, the Circular Economy Taskforce will continue its engagement efforts, targeting all priority areas and enablers with several upcoming events taking place through to the summer and beyond. To quickly reach as many people as possible, we will look to involve those who have registered to join our Circular Economy Network as well as many others through conventional forums and networks like trade associations and government-run groups. This inclusive approach aims to gather diverse insights and foster collaboration for a sustainable future. 

Question: Will the Circular Economy strategy be sense-checked against the food strategy, and vice-versa, particularly in ref to industry's financial capabilities relative to costs they will bear in the coming years? 

Answer:  Yes, ensuring coherence across the Circular Economy Strategy and other strategies in development is a priority for us to ensure that we are minimising rather than growing burdens on business. We will be reviewing many other strategies including the Farming Roadmap, Critical Minerals Strategy, refreshed Carbon Budget Delivery Plan, Trade Strategy, and more. 

Question: It looks like work on electricals will be focused on recycling initially. Are there plans to look at promoting repair, reuse and other waste reduction measures? 

Answer: Repair and reuse are fundamental tenets of any circular economy, and a successful transition aims to eliminate waste and promote sustainability through reuse and resource efficiency. We are considering the evidence for appropriate action across the economy as we develop the Circular Economy Strategy for England.  How reuse and repair measures may be implemented is one of the many things we are exploring through our stakeholder engagement. We would welcome further input and ideas on this matter, and we can be contacted via circulareconomystrategy@defra.gov.uk

Question: With the Textile Circularity group, where are the Reuse and Recycling business focus as Charities are only part of the solution and not full? 

Answer: Engagement to date does not reflect the limit of our ambition the Circular Economy Taskforce is ensuring its engagement efforts target all priority areas and enablers with several upcoming events taking place through to the summer and beyond. To quickly reach as many people as possible and gather comprehensive evidence for appropriate sector-specific interventions, we will look to involve those who have registered to join our Circular Economy Network as well as many others through conventional forums and networks like trade associations and government-run groups.   

Question: We have over 59 years of Electrical Appliance Repairs and Training. Can we engage in the 16 April Roundtable?  

Answer: The engagements that we have confirmed and detailed at the forum do not represent the limit of our ambition and will not be the sole opportunity to speak with the Taskforce. To quickly reach as many people as possible, we will look to involve those who have registered to join our Circular Economy Network, as well as many others through conventional forums and networks like trade associations and government-run groups. 

Question: Much of the success of establishing recycling in target sectors (e.g. Waste Electricals and Electronic Equipment - WEEE) has come from a full UK approach? 

Answer: Although the Circular Economy Strategy will be England only in scope (aside from policy areas that are reserved matters, e.g. waste exports), we are exploring opportunities to align with the devolved governments. Defra works collaboratively and closely across the four nations, and we are very conscious of the many benefits of alignment throughout the UK for industry and our outcomes. 

Question: £2.5billion of discarded furniture highlighted in the first slide - but not in first tranche of programme? 

Answer: Not all waste streams will need a dedicated roadmap to be addressed effectively. For example, interventions on textiles and chemicals & plastics could capture a large proportion of discarded furniture. The Taskforce is carefully evaluating evidence to determine the most suitable sector-specific interventions and the details of these will be included in the final roadmaps included in the Circular Economy Strategy for England. We would welcome further input and ideas on this matter, and we can be contacted via circulareconomystrategy@defra.gov.uk

Question: Will this be maintained with devolved administrations? 

Answer: The Circular Economy Strategy will be England only in scope (aside from policy areas that are reserved matters, e.g. waste exports), and we will be actively looking for opportunities to align with the work that devolved governments have underway. Defra works collaboratively and closely across the four nations, and we are very conscious of the many benefits of alignment throughout the UK for industry and our outcomes. 

Question: Would like to see a shift in metrics towards waste reduction, repair, reuse rather than focussing on recycling metrics? 

Answer: Repair and reuse are fundamental parts of circular economy, and a successful transition aims to eliminate waste and promote sustainability through reuse and resource efficiency. The Circular Economy Taskforce has identified ‘measurement, data & metrics’ as an important cross-cutting enabler that will underpin the Circular Economy Strategy for England. Work is ongoing to develop our understanding of the requirements and likely interventions in these areas, including through upcoming broad stakeholder engagement. We would welcome further input and ideas on this matter, and we can be contacted via circulareconomystrategy@defra.gov.uk

Question: When would the engagement related to packaging take place? 

Answer: We are already engaging extensively with the packaging sector (and have been doing so for several years) as part of the delivery of the Collection & Packaging Reforms. Looking forward, the Circular Economy Taskforce has begun extensive engagement across the priority sectors as well as principal cross-cutting areas with industry leaders, trade associations, and other key stakeholders. The Taskforce will continue its engagement efforts with several upcoming events taking place through to the summer and beyond – bringing into the fold those voices from the identified sectors and cross-cuts, including the packaging sector. 

Question: Have you any plans to reintroduce a UK wide industrial symbiosis project? If so, are you aware of the current activity in this space in the West Midlands (West Midlands Resource Reuse Network funded by WMCA and free for all WM based businesses to participate)? 

Answer: The Circular Economy Taskforce is aware of regional industrial symbiosis and reuse networks and is considering the evidence for sector-specific interventions right across the economy, including industrial symbiosis, as we develop our Circular Economy Strategy for England. We would welcome further input and ideas on this matter, and we can be contacted via circulareconomystrategy@defra.gov.uk

Question: Why is there an omission within transport circularity, there is no mention of the sector that actually collects & recycles vehicles/ parts & has done for the last 100 yrs? 

Answer: The Circular Economy Taskforce has begun extensive engagement across the priority sectors, including in transport, as well as principal cross-cutting areas with industry leaders, trade associations, and other key stakeholders. Looking ahead, the Taskforce will continue its engagement efforts with several upcoming events taking place through to the summer and beyond – bringing into the fold those voices from the identified sectors and cross-cuts. We would welcome further input and ideas on this matter, and we can be contacted via circulareconomystrategy@defra.gov.uk

Question: Will the strategy incorporate metrics and targets for reduced resource use per capita and for waste reduction per capita? 

Answer: The Circular Economy Taskforce has identified ‘measurement, data & metrics’ as an important cross-cutting enabler that will underpin the Circular Economy Strategy for England. Work is ongoing to develop our understanding of the requirements and likely interventions in these areas, including through upcoming broad stakeholder engagement. We would welcome further input and ideas on this matter, and we can be contacted via circulareconomystrategy@defra.gov.uk 

Question: What will be included in the built environment roadmap? Will it include residential buildings as well as all industrial facilities and infrastructure such as rail, energy, etc? 

Answer: There are numerous elements to consider within the Circular Economy Taskforce’s identified priority sectors, including in the built environment, as well as principal cross-cutting areas. The Taskforce is considering the evidence for appropriate sector-specific interventions and the details of these will feature in the final roadmaps included in the Circular Economy Strategy for England. We would welcome further input and ideas on this matter, and we can be contacted via circulareconomystrategy@defra.gov.uk

Question: How will the strategy support sustainable circular lifestyle changes, enabling reduced consumption, product / facility sharing, repair, refill, etc? 

Answer: A successful transition to a circular economy aims to eliminate waste and promote sustainability through reuse and resource efficiency however we recognise that the transition will require significant behavioural and cultural change. Continuing to factor in behavioural perspectives and research into the development of the Circular Economy Strategy for England is crucial for a complete approach to this ambitious cultural shift. The Circular Economy Taskforce agree, and so correct messaging and utilising behavioural insights will be a key consideration of the Taskforce and will be factored into the final roadmaps included in the Strategy. We would welcome further input and ideas on this matter, and we can be contacted via circulareconomystrategy@defra.gov.uk

Question: We are big believers in digital solutions for circularity but haven't seen anything yet on how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can deliver the strategy. will there be work on this within Defra? 

Answer: We recognise the value of continued innovation in AI, and we have already seen its worth within the waste management space over recent years. The Circular Economy Taskforce is considering the evidence for sector-specific interventions right across the economy as we develop our Circular Economy Strategy for England. We would welcome further input and ideas on this matter, and we can be contacted via circulareconomystrategy@defra.gov.uk

Question: Is rail being considered in the 'transport' workstream? 

Answer: The Circular Economy Taskforce is considering the evidence for appropriate sector-specific interventions, which will be detailed in the final roadmaps within the Circular Economy Strategy for England. Rail has not been a primary focus of the transport roadmap work to date, however we would welcome further input and ideas on this matter, and we can be contacted via circulareconomystrategy@defra.gov.uk

Please encourage your colleagues to sign up to our newsletter

Please click on the button to receive up to date Circular Economy news