Circular Economy in England

Strategy, Taskforces, and What “Circular” Means

By Zöe Rucker

Introduction

The circular economy is increasingly presented as a solution to environmental pressure from production and consumption. In UK policy discussions, it appears in government strategies, waste policy documents and industry initiatives as a framework for reducing waste, conserving resources and lowering emissions.

But the circular economy is not a single policy. It is a system-wide approach to managing materials, aimed at keeping products and resources in use for longer and reducing the need for new raw materials.¹

In England, circular economy policy operates through a combination of government strategies, regulatory reforms and industry-led initiatives. Understanding how these pieces fit together helps explain what “circular” means in practice and what the system is currently designed to achieve.

What the Circular Economy Means

The circular economy contrasts with the traditional linear model of production and consumption. In a linear system, resources are extracted, manufactured into products, used and eventually discarded as waste.

The approach focuses on designing products and supply chains to keep materials in circulation longer.

This typically involves:

• reducing the amount of material used in production • designing products to last longer or be repaired • reusing and refurbishing products • recycling materials at the end of a product’s life

The aim is to limit waste and reduce pressure on natural resources.²

In policy discussions, the concept is often framed around making better use of materials already in circulation, rather than relying on continued extraction of new resources.

Where Clothing Fits into the Circular Economy

Clothing is increasingly discussed within circular economy policy because of the scale of textile production and waste. In the UK, millions of tonnes of clothing are placed on the market each year, while large quantities are discarded or exported as second-hand goods.³

Circular economy approaches to clothing typically focus on extending the life of garments through reuse, repair and resale, improving textile recycling systems, and encouraging product design that allows fibres to be recovered and reused. These approaches are intended to reduce the environmental impacts associated with textile production, including raw material extraction, energy use and waste.

However, clothing has historically received less policy attention than sectors such as packaging or food waste. 

Circular Economy Strategy in England

England does not currently have a single standalone circular economy law. Instead, circular principles are embedded within wider environmental policy frameworks.

One of the most significant of these is the Resources and Waste Strategy for England, published by the UK government in 2018⁴

The strategy sets out a long-term plan to move the economy away from the traditional “take-make-dispose” model.

Key policy areas within the strategy include:

• improving recycling systems • reducing avoidable waste • increasing producer responsibility for products and packaging • supporting markets for recycled materials

Together, these measures are intended to change how materials move through the economy.

Regulatory Changes Supporting Circularity

Several regulatory reforms are being introduced to support this shift.

One of the most significant is Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR). Under EPR schemes, producers become financially responsible for the waste generated by the products they place on the market.⁵

The intention is to encourage businesses to design products and packaging that are easier to reuse, repair or recycle.

Other reforms include changes to packaging regulations and waste collection systems intended to improve recycling and material recovery across England.

These policies are designed to strengthen incentives for different approaches to production.

Circular Economy Taskforces and Industry Initiatives

Government policy is only one part of the wider framework. Industry groups and research organisations also play a major role in developing approaches to materials management.

In the UK, organisations such as WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme) work with businesses, local authorities and government departments to develop strategies that limit waste and improve how materials are used.⁶

WRAP programmes focus on areas such as:

• reducing food waste • improving recycling systems • promoting sustainable product design • supporting alternative business models

Industry taskforces and voluntary agreements are often used to test approaches before they become formal regulations.

These partnerships allow government and industry to collaborate on practical solutions.

What Circular Economy Policy Focuses On

Although the circular economy is often discussed in broad environmental terms, implementation tends to focus on specific material flows and sectors.

In England, policies most often apply to areas such as:

• packaging and plastics • food waste • electronics and electrical equipment • construction materials

These sectors are prioritised because they generate large volumes of waste or use significant quantities of raw materials.

Targeting high-impact sectors allows policymakers to track measurable changes.

The Role of Measurement

As with other areas of sustainability policy, progress is monitored through data and indicators.

These typically include:

• recycling rates • waste generation levels • material recovery rates • resource productivity indicators

These measurements allow government departments to track progress toward environmental targets and evaluate policy outcomes.

Measurement systems also influence which issues receive attention. Areas that are well monitored are more likely to attract intervention than those that are not.

Why Understanding Circular Economy Policy Matters

The circular economy is often presented as a broad environmental concept, but in practice it operates through a network of policies, regulations and industry initiatives.

Understanding how these systems function helps explain how environmental priorities are translated into policy measures.

It shows where policy attention is currently concentrated.

References:

1. European Commission, Circular Economy Action Plan: For a Cleaner and More Competitive Europe, EU policy framework for circular economic transition, European Commission, 2020.

   
   

2. Ellen MacArthur Foundation, What Is a Circular Economy?, Explanation of circular economic principles and system design, Ellen MacArthur Foundation, 2017.

   
   

3. WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), Valuing Our Clothes: The Cost of UK Fashion, analysis of clothing consumption, textile waste and environmental impact in the UK, WRAP, 2017.

   
   

4. HM Government, Resources and Waste Strategy for England, national strategy for reducing waste and improving resource efficiency, UK Government, 2018.

   
   

5. Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs, Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging, regulatory reform transferring waste management costs to producers, DEFRA, 2024.

   
   

6. WRAP (Waste and Resources Action Programme), Delivering the UK Circular Economy, programmes supporting resource efficiency and waste reduction, WRAP, 2023.