A group of UK MPs, peers, businesses, and charities are advocating for a circular economy to make the country more resilient to global instability. A circular economy involves reducing consumption of finite raw materials by reusing or recycling them, which could bring a £25 billion boost to the UK economy by 2035 and create hundreds of thousands of jobs. The group recommends giving consumers a “right to repair” to ensure products can be fixed when they break, and setting a goal to bring the UK’s resource use within global limits by 2050. The UK currently has one of the highest levels of e-waste per person in the world and a material footprint over twice the sustainable limit. The report, backed by businesses and organizations, outlines six steps to kickstart the circular economy, including taking a whole economy approach, cutting the cost of living with a right to repair, and setting a long-term goal to bring UK resource use within planetary boundaries. Politicians from all parties have endorsed the report, which aims to reduce environmental harm and boost the UK economy.
Accelerating a circular economy could boost the UK’s resilience and generate an extra £25 billion, according to MPs.
