Advancing the Circularity of Plastics in the UK
This research – commissioned by RRUK and prepared by Anthesis – explores how the UK can reduce plastics in the residual waste stream and accelerate progress towards a circular economy.
The report analyses the criticality of removing plastics from the UK’s residual waste, setting out six key recommendations for policymakers to help reduce plastics in residual waste and accelerate progress towards a circular economy including:
- Radically reducing plastic use and production
- Investing in reuse models and domestic recycling
- Aligning ETS expansion with circular economy policies
Modelling, analysis and research from inhouse and industry experts have been consolidated to present a strong call to action for the UK Government. The release of the report is significant as the UK’s Energy from Waste (EfW) sector prepares to join the Emissions Trading Scheme (ETS) in 2028. The report warns that current EfW emission profiles could make costs for local authorities unsustainable unless the level of fossil-based plastics in residual waste is significantly reduced.
The research also dispels the common misconception that EfW operators want plastics in their feedstock due to the high calorific value. In reality, plastics reduce operational efficiency, damage equipment and prevent valuable materials from being recycled.