Articles from June 2025

CIWM President Tim Walker and Early Careers President Charlotte Davies spoke at the Waste Management Europe Exhibition & Conference 2025 in Bologna, Italy.

Taking place between 10-12 June, the Waste Management Europe (WME) 2025 Exhibition and Conference connects global experts in waste management, recycling, reuse and circularity.

WME 2025 says it promotes ‘cutting-edge thinking in applying innovative solutions to some of the world’s greatest challenges’.

CIWM President Tim Walker delivered the Keynote Address at the Exhibition on new frameworks for a holistic waste management strategy.

Walker also spoke on the ‘Next steps for the waste management sector – a call to action to policy makers’ session, which identified areas of consensus for priority consideration and action.

Speaking to Circular Online, Walker called the opportunity give the Keynote Address as CIWM President a ‘great honour’.

“This was a focused event specifically looking at resources and waste and, across the three days, there was considerable interest amongst the participants in exploring how circularity could be progressed with several recommendations likely to arise from the conference for the EU – some may even involve CIWM.

“All-in-all, the days were hot, the conference was well attended and packed with great content, there were many questions asked only broken up by superb food and strong coffee – Italian of course. What better way to see in summer while also showcasing CIWM.

“It also provided a last hurrah for my Presidential Report Turning Off the Tap, which has provided me with much content over the year and allowed me to focus on how the resources and waste sector can talk to and work with others across the value chain to deliver circularity.”

What better way to see in summer while also showcasing CIWM.

Walker’s presidential term ends this week when he will be succeeded by the current CIWM Vice President Dr David Greenfield. Dr Greenfield will be inaugurated as president during a ceremony at the House of Commons on 19 June.

CIWM Early Careers President Charlotte Davies appeared at WME 2025 as part of a ‘Fireside Chat’ on developing a new generation of waste management talent.

Davies also gave a presentation on advancing progress of the management of waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) in Europe through circular economy integration.

“Coming from a UK-based background in resources and waste, it was great to learn from leading projects, campaigns and waste experts in what is being done across Europe, but also globally, to tackle the waste challenge,” Davies told Circular Online.

“I was also able to share my early career insight and experience from the CIWM’s Early Career team during a fireside chat discussing how to develop a new generation of waste management talent.

“During this, we talked at length about the green skills gap and the importance of engagement with schools, universities and incoming talent to reinforce the sectors future and the transition to the circular economy.

“A key takeaway for me is that the circular economy is a long way off, and to truly embrace the transition we need to collaborate with other sectors, change mindsets and prioritise system thinking. I strongly believe the CIWM and CEI along with others, will be key in enabling this.”

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Research published on World Refill Day 2025 shows that 74% of UK consumers want more brands and retailers to offer reusable, refillable or returnable packaging.

As part of World Refill Day 2025 (16 June), environmental charity City to Sea has called on retailers and the UK Government to commit to ensuring 30% of packaging is reusable by 2030.

However, despite this demand, the research indicates that only 18% of shoppers are aware of where to find these refillable options.

Commenting on the research, CEO of City to Sea, Jane Martin, said: “The public (is) ready, but retailers, brands and government are stuck.

“We’re calling time on this broken system where shoppers carry the guilt while single-use sales soar. It’s time to break the deadlock – where government, businesses and consumers all wait for the other to move first.

“So, the ask is simple: make it easier to reuse than to throw away.”

The research also found that almost 80% of people in the UK already take action to minimise waste in their weekly shopping.

79% said they would also try new products if supermarkets offered refill or reuse options, 30% said they already bring a reusable container to a takeaway at least once a month, and 51% return packaging to a collection point at least monthly.

30% reusable packaging commitment

City to Sea is calling for a legally binding national commitment to ensure that 30% of packaging is reusable by 2030.

The environmental charity also wants the UK Government to establish a reuse infrastructure fund using at least 5% Extended Producer Responsibility fees to help build national refill and return systems and support shopper behaviour change campaigns.

Martin continued: “Without policy, investment and promotion, reuse schemes will continue to fail.

“We’re not lacking willingness – we’re lacking the infrastructure to make reuse mainstream. Reuse presents a win-win opportunity to a government with an  economic growth agenda and significant carbon and waste reduction commitments.”

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Volvo Cars have signed a new agreement with Swedish steel firm SSAB for the supply of ‘high-quality, recycled and near zero-emissions steel’ starting this year.

Volvo Cars says it is the first car maker to sign a supply agreement with SSAB for recycled steel for serial production deliveries.

The agreement is an extension of a long-term existing collaboration between the two companies to be at the ‘forefront of the transition to more sustainable steel’.

The recycled steel will be used in selected components of the forthcoming, fully electric EX60 SUV, as well as other cars based on Volvo Cars’ next-generation SPA3 car architecture.

Volvo Cars says the recycled steel meets the same safety-related requirements as primary steel in terms of strength and durability.

One of the biggest sources of CO₂ emissions in our production process is the steel we use to build our cars…

The car manufacturer has a target to use an average of 30% recycled content across its fleet by 2030 and for new car models released from 2030 to contain at least 35% recycled or bio-based content.

Compared with traditionally produced steel in Europe, Volva Cars says SSAB’s recycled steel generates ‘almost 100% less CO₂ emissions’ in its own operations and is made with almost 100% recycled content.

Commenting on the deal, Francesca Gamboni, Volvo Cars’ chief supply chain and manufacturing officer, said: “One of the biggest sources of CO₂ emissions in our production process is the steel we use to build our cars, averaging 25% of all material-related emissions for a new Volvo car.

“By signing this agreement, we have taken an important step in reducing the impact on the environment and increasing the awareness for using recycled materials within our supplier network.”

“We work towards achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040, and cutting steel-related emissions really has the potential to move the needle.”

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The UK Government’s 2025 Spending Review has delivered a complex message to the environmental sector: major capital commitments for clean energy and carbon capture sit in stark contrast to sharp operational cuts to the very department charged with environmental stewardship.

While Chancellor Rachel Reeves pledged a real-terms increase of 2.3% in total departmental spending across the review period, the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) faces one of the steepest real-terms reductions—an average 2.7% cut per year to its day-to-day budget.

That equates to a fall in resource spending from £4.8 billion in 2025–26 to £4.7 billion by 2028–29, with only the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and Department for Transport seeing deeper operational budget reductions.

This places Defra among the fiscal “losers” of the review, raising concerns from legal experts, environmental advocates, and industry leaders alike.

Circular Economy Overlooked

For the waste management and recycling sector, the Spending Review delivered few concrete commitments. Despite ongoing efforts to position the circular economy as a pillar of sustainable growth, the review contained only a passing reference to “simpler recycling” within local government settlements.

The settlement also includes funding for local authorities to deliver Simpler Recycling as part of the Collection and Packaging waste reforms, which is aimed at helping to stimulate investment in recycling services across the UK. Local authorities will continue to receive additional income through the Extended Producer Responsibility scheme for packaging. However, there was no specified funding for these changes—nor for the infrastructure overhauls many councils will require.

We welcome a commitment to sustainable growth, but recycling infrastructure must be a strategic priority

Instead, the Review stated that authorities “will continue to receive additional income through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for packaging.”  The extent to which this EPR funding will be ringfenced or integrated into general council finances remains uncertain.

Capital investment across Defra also appears skewed. While the department receives £16 billion over the Spending Review period—a real-terms annual increase of 2.5%—the bulk of this funding is directed toward farming subsidies, flood defence projects, and nature recovery. Notably absent are any significant capital allocations for waste infrastructure or circular economy initiatives.

As David Palmer-Jones, CEO of recycling firm CIRQLR, put it: “We welcome a commitment to sustainable growth, but recycling infrastructure must be a strategic priority. Giving waste a second life is not just environmental—it’s economic resilience.”

Defra Cuts Raise Delivery Risks

Defra’s operational reduction arrives at a critical moment for the department. It is tasked with implementing some of the most significant waste policy changes in decades—including Simpler Recycling, EPR, Deposit Return Schemes, and the integration of waste into the UK Emissions Trading Scheme.

Without clear definitions or communication, a rapid withdrawal of subsidies risks repeating past errors

Legal experts have flagged potential implementation risks. Maddie Dunn, Legal Director at Charles Russell Speechlys, specifically called out the fragility of the Environmental Land Management Schemes (ELMs), where funding is being redirected away from subsidies that fail to show a “return on investment.”

“This isn’t objectionable in principle,” Dunn said, “but without clear definitions or communication, a rapid withdrawal of subsidies risks repeating past errors, like the sudden SFI suspension earlier this year.”

The Spending Review confirms Defra will pursue £144 million in “technical efficiencies” and at least 5% in savings by 2028–29. It also plans to invest over £300 million in digital transformation to reduce reliance on contractors. But whether this internal reorganisation will help or hinder policy delivery remains an open question.

Big Wins for Industrial Decarbonisation

In contrast, the energy and decarbonisation sectors received a clearer boost. The government allocated £9.4 billion in capital funding for Carbon Capture, Usage and Storage (CCUS), including support for the HyNet and East Coast Clusters.

Dave Richardson, Chair of the North West Hydrogen Alliance, welcomed the backing but stressed the need for a “clear, long-term framework” for hydrogen deployment.

Energy-from-waste operator enfinium announced plans to invest £200 million in carbon capture at its Parc Adfer facility in North Wales, citing the government support as key to turning the site into one of the largest carbon removal projects in the UK.

The broader energy landscape includes £14.2 billion for Sizewell C nuclear power and funding for clean heat, electric vehicles, and energy efficiency under the Warm Homes Plan. But these initiatives focus on generation and decarbonisation—not on integrating circular economy principles into industrial growth.

Local Authority Funding: Welcome but Unclear

The Spending Review also confirmed a £3.4 billion increase in core grant funding to local authorities by 2028–29. This represents a 3.1% real-terms annual increase and includes funding streams for local transport, walking and cycling infrastructure, and air quality improvements.

However, the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH) cautioned that further detail is needed on how this funding will reach environmental health teams.

President Mark Elliott stressed: “The involvement of environmental health professionals will be vital… but clarity is still needed from the Government on how teams across the country will be supported.”

A Mixed Verdict

While the Spending Review has been cautiously welcomed for its industrial and energy commitments, the environmental policy community remains sceptical.

The lack of dedicated funding for waste infrastructure, combined with operational cuts to Defra, could create a bottleneck in the UK’s circular economy transition.

Many in the sector are calling for urgent clarification on delivery mechanisms, particularly for local authorities expected to implement system-wide changes without ringfenced support.

As Maddie Dunn said, “Policy intentions mean little without practical clarity. Fast-track changes without communication only add instability. We’ve seen it before. We can’t afford to see it again.”

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This year’s International E-Waste Day will focus on critical raw materials, the elements essential to the economy that have a high risk of supply disruption and limited substitutes.

Taking place on 14 October 2025, the 8th edition of International E-Waste Day will focus on highlighting how critical raw materials (CRMs) can be recovered from unused or broken electronic products.

A study by WEEE Forum and UNITAR showed that households own an average of 74 EEE items – excluding lamps and luminaires – of which 61 items are in use, nine are hoarded but working, and four are hoarded and not working.

The total mass of items in households is 90 million tonnes (Mt) of which 7 Mt is hoarded and working, and 3 Mt is hoarded and broken, according to the study.

Research published by Material Focus last year, found UK households are hoarding 880 million unused electrical items, and throwing away 103,000 tonnes of electricals annually.

The research, ‘Electrical Waste: Challenges and Opportunities’, found that the materials contained inside these “lost electricals” are worth £927 million.

By returning electrical items through official collection channels, consumers play a role in keeping critical resources in the loop and supporting the circular economy.

International E-Waste Day organisers will provide guidance, tools, and local events to help people make informed choices and dispose of their electricals in a way that allows CRMs to be recovered.

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Host of the Festival of Circular Economy 2025 and owner of sustainable innovation studio Ape, Mark Shayler, explains why a circular future has arrived by examining two successful circular economy businesses.

The future is circular we hear – and it is. It offers a vital shift in how we manage resources and stimulate economic growth, especially at a time when resource scarcity is becoming more pressing.

Globally we currently wastes more than 90% of the materials we extract, all that circularity attempts to do is to stop the economy leaking.

The circular model reduces our dependence on finite resources, helping to mitigate the economic risks associated with supply shortages and price volatility.

For instance, transitioning to a circular economy could unlock up to $4.5 trillion in economic benefits by 2030.

This approach not only supports environmental sustainability but also offers economic opportunities by enhancing innovation, reducing waste management costs, and creating new markets for recycled materials.

Let’s take a look at a couple of inspiring organisations who have developed successful circular economy businesses, brought them to market, and are now scaling them.

Toast Brewing – Brewing Beer with Surplus Bread (UK)

Toast Brewing uses surplus bread to brew beer, exemplifying the circular economy by turning food waste into a product.

Founded in the UK in 2015, Toast partners with bakeries to collect unsold bread to replace a portion of barley in the brewing process.

The results is an award-winning craft beer that not only reduces waste but also lowers raw material costs – using 25% less barley than typical brews.

Notably, all profits from Toast are donated to charities fixing the food system, aligning economic success with social impact.

This innovative business model demonstrates how a business can generate revenue and tackle waste simultaneously using a circular economy approach.

Key impacts in the last five years include:

• Waste Diversion: Saved over 3.3 million slices of surplus bread from going to waste since they began brewing in 2016, which saved bakeries disposal costs and created value from a would-be waste stream.
• Resource Savings: By using surplus bread, Toast also avoided 5.3 tCO2e in emissions.
• Economic & Social Impact: Toast donated £116,000 (as of 2024) to food waste charities.

It’s also important to make a great beer not just a waste beer, Toast Brewing has won numerous taste awards and is a firm favourite in our house.

Toast has built a viable brand carried by major retailers, and has a growing customer base of ‘planet-friendly’ beer drinkers and a small but passionate team, proving the approach makes business sense.

MUD Jeans – Leasing Denim for Circular Fashion

MUD Jeans is a Dutch denim brand pioneering a lease model to keep jeans in circulation for longer.

The company’s trademark ‘Lease A Jeans’ programme lets customers rent jeans for a monthly fee instead of buying them outright​.

This service-based model ensures MUD Jeans retains ownership of raw materials, enabling efficient recycling and waste reduction, but also quality.

It also fosters strong customer loyalty (free repairs are provided during the lease) and a steady revenue stream.

Over the past five years, the company has successfully scaled this model while maintaining a focus on sustainability and fair labour.

Key outcomes include:

• Business Performance: The circular model has gained traction and they now have over 5,000 people leasing jeans – this is around 50% of their customers.
• Environmental Impact: Each MUD jeans results in roughly 93% less water use and 74% lower CO₂ emissions compared to a conventional pair of jeans​. For example, an average industry pair may require around 7,000 litres of water, whereas MUD reduce this to around 460 litres.

Overall, the company reports a 42% year-on-year reduction in its corporate carbon emissions in 2022​. By using up to 40% post-consumer recycled cotton in each product, MUD Jeans also diverts textile waste and reduces demand for virgin cotton.

Celebrating the circular economy in action

What I love about these two examples is that they are centred around great products first-and-foremost. You would buy them because the products are great rather than circular.

They prove that circular economy principles – from product design to end-of-life recovery – can enhance profitability, innovation, and positive impact in parallel.

As more companies adopt such models, we move closer to a regenerative, waste-free future and at the same time show how rethinking the lifecycle of products can create economic value.

So put on your jeans and grab a beer (zero ABV available too).

The post Toast Brewing & MUD Jeans: Making circular work for business appeared first on Circular Online.

The UK Government has announced grants totalling £13.6 million have been offered to 12 food redistribution charities across England.

The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) says the grants will help redistribute an estimated 19,000 tonnes of food from farms to homeless shelters, food banks and charities.

Commenting on the grants, Waste Minister Mary Creagh, who is also responsible for the circular economy, said: “This government’s Plan for Change is acting on food poverty and tackling Britain’s throwaway culture, ensuring more good food ends up on plates and not in bins.

“I am delighted to see this support go to 12 outstanding redistribution charities to form closer relationships with our hard-working farmers, and ensure their good food goes to those in need.”

Successful redistribution organisations that applied for funding through the grants include City Harvest, a food charity which rescues surplus food and delivers it to more than 130,000 people a week, which will receive more than £303,000.

Sarah Calcutt, CEO of City Harvest, commented: “This new funding will allow us to increase the amount of food we pick up directly from farms, reduce farm costs and increase further the amount of fresh food we can offer our customers.”

A consortium bid led by FareShare UK and its network partners, including Felix Project, will receive more than £9.2 million.

Food in Community, based in Devon, will also receive more than £1.5 million to partner with local farmers and food producers to redistribute surplus food.

These Government grants will go a long way to supercharge more charitable networks to capture some of the estimated 330,000 tonnes of food that could be redistributed from UK farms every year

Last year, the UK Government established an independent Circular Economy Taskforce to develop a Circular Economy Strategy.

The Taskforce is focusing on five priority sectors, including agri-food, the built environment, chemicals and plastics, transport, and electronics.

The UK Government also reaffirmed its continued support for the UK Food and Drink Pact, managed by WRAP, which looks to deliver a more sustainable supply chain and reduce food waste in the home.

Catherine David, CEO of WRAP, said: “Food waste happens wherever food is grown, made, sold and consumed – from farm to fork.

“Redistributing surplus food from retail and manufacture is a real success story, stopping thousands of tonnes of good food from going to waste every year.

“These government grants will go a long way to supercharge more charitable networks to capture some of the estimated 330,000 tonnes of food that could be redistributed from UK farms every year – and use it for good – in communities around the country.”

Commenting on the grants, David Gudgeon, Head of External Affairs at Reconomy Connect, a brand by international circular economy specialists Reconomy, said: “We’re very pleased to see Defra tackling food waste through these grants, which rightly prioritise redistribution in line with the food waste hierarchy and ensure that high-quality, surplus food is used to feed people first.

“Initiatives like this not only offer vital support to families facing food insecurity, but also help to retain the highest possible value from our food system, preventing fresh, nutritious produce from going to waste unnecessarily.”

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