Darrel Moore

The UK government has said it intends to publish its delayed Circular Economy Growth Plan “soon”, but has not given a firm publication date. In a written parliamentary answer published on 15 June, Defra minister Mary Creagh said the government remains “committed to transitioning towards a circular economy where resources are kept in use for longer and waste is designed out”.

Circular economy policies are failing to make full use of bio-based materials such as timber, cotton, rubber, leather and natural fibres, according to a new report from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation. The foundation said many national circular economy strategies focus on finite materials, while treating bio-based materials mainly as substitutes for fossil-based or non-renewable resources.

The UK could face a shortage of recycled aluminium needed for key industries unless it rapidly expands domestic collection, sorting and processing capacity, Make UK has warned. New analysis from the manufacturers’ organisation suggests the UK aluminium scrap sector will need to grow by 25% every year to meet future industrial demand linked to the government’s Modern Industrial Strategy and Critical Minerals Strategy.