New report urges UK to move beyond recycling to build a more circular economy

Across the UK, innovation, business and research activity is making progress towards a circular economy.  However, too much activity remains focused on recycling and waste management rather than preventing waste in the first place, according to a new report by the University of Portsmouth's Global Plastics Policy Centre (GPPC). 

Commissioned by the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), the report - Progressing Beyond Recycling for a Circular Economy - reviews research and innovation activity 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 approaches such as better design, repair, reuse and refurbishment, reducing the need for new raw materials and minimising waste. 

The report found that while circular economy activity is growing across the UK, most efforts are concentrated towards the end of a product's life. Much of the current focus is on recycling, improving waste recovery and encouraging changes in consumer behaviour, with fewer initiatives addressing how products are designed, manufactured and used. 

Researchers found that relatively few initiatives, such as UK reuse systems and design for repair are tackling the earlier stages of production and design, where the greatest potential exists to reduce resource use and environmental impacts. 

The study also found a gap between research and commercial deployment. While many innovative ideas are being tested, too few are progressing from pilots and demonstrators to reaching the market at scale. In addition, many projects measure activity rather than outcomes, making it difficult to assess their real impact on reducing waste, emissions or material use. 

The findings provide and evidence base to help inform future government research, innovation programmes and policy development by identifying areas where evidence, investment and innovation are currently limited. 

The findings provide and evidence base to help inform future government research, innovation programmes and policy development by identifying areas where evidence, investment and innovation are currently limited. 

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 identifies opportunities to strengthen the UK's circular economy, including expanding reuse systems, supporting repair and refurbishment activities, improving product design, encouraging more efficient use of materials, and developing better ways to measure impact. 

It also highlights the need for stronger links between research, innovation and commercial deployment, alongside policies and incentives that support waste prevention and value retention rather than focusing solely on waste management. 

The research concludes that moving beyond recycling will require coordinated action across government, industry and researchers. Greater emphasis on product design, resource efficiency and reuse could help accelerate the UK's transition to a more circular economy. Unlocking these opportunities will require a mix of evidence, innovation and investment, alongside policy measures which support circular business models develop and scale.