Resources & Waste Strategy for England

The Resources and Waste Strategy (RWS) sets out how we will preserve our stock of material resources by minimizing waste, promoting resource efficiency, and moving towards a circular economy. It also details how, by reducing and managing waste safely and carefully and by tackling waste crime, we will minimize the damage caused to our natural environment. The RWS combines actions we will take now with firm commitments for the coming years and gives a clear longer-term policy direction. Goals include: - Doubling resource productivity by 2050 - Eliminate avoidable waste of all kinds by 2050 - Eliminate avoidable plastic waste over the lifetime of the 25 Year Environment Plan - Work towards eliminating food waste to landfill by 2030 - Work towards all plastic packaging placed on the market being recyclable, reusable, or compostable by 2025 The highest profile RWS commitments include: Extended producer responsibility (EPR) for packaging, with full net cost recovery Consistent set of recyclable materials collected from all households and businesses, including weekly collections of food waste from every household Deposit return scheme (DRS) for drinks containers Compulsory electronic tracking of waste Improved producer responsibility for existing schemes (such as Waste Electricals and Electronics) Consultation on future extended producer responsibility schemes, for example  textiles  Review of packaging legislation and encouraging design for greater reuse, remanufacturing & recycling Improving the transport, management and description of waste by reforming regulations for duty of care, carrier/broker/dealers, hazardous waste and international waste shipments Equipping the EA with powers to pursue and disrupt organised crime Consultation on annual reporting of food surplus and waste by food businesses and seeking powers for food waste targets and surplus food redistribution obligations Developing a model for realising resource efficiency (RE) savings, including working with business on RE clusters Note that many of the other policy instruments reported on are commitments in the RWS. Note as waste is a devolved policy, the RWS applies to England only. Detail on Scotland's strategy is outlined briefly below. Making Things Last published in 2016, is Scotland's first circular economy strategy setting out how Scotland will move from "take, make and dispose" economy to one where we reduce the demand for raw material in products; encourage reuse and repairs through responsible production; and recycle waste and energy to maximise the value of any waste that is generated.