UK and devolved governments have committed to developing a more circular economy which means reducing consumption and minimising waste through reuse, repair and recycling. It has launched a circular economy taskforce and has committed to further circular economy strategies.

This long-term thematic inquiry will scrutinise the progress of the UK government in bringing about a more circular economy, and the work of key regulators to ensure that waste is sustainably managed. The Committee will call for evidence on a regular basis and produce iterative and focused reports throughout the inquiry.

Topics for scrutiny may include, but are not limited to:

• packaging reforms such as Extended Producer Responsibility, Deposit Return Schemes, Simpler recycling and the plastic packaging tax;
• reducing the use of single use items and encouraging more ecological product designs;
• international cooperation and waste exports;
• encouraging more sustainable product imports;
• growing domestic reuse, repair and recycling industries;
• developing circular economies across different sectors, including agriculture and organic wastes such as food;
• efforts to lessen the environmental impact and use of landfill and incineration;
• tackling waste crime.

If you have information or evidence which may be of interest to the Committee, please contact: efracom@parliament.uk

Read the ‘Global Plastics Treaty’ call for evidence here