CIWM Welcomes New Environment Secretary

CIWM welcomes Steve Barclay as the new Defra Secretary of State. The Institution looks forward to developing a close working relationship with him to support the UK economy in making meaningful progress towards its 2050 net zero target and accelerate the development of a more circular economy.

Lee Marshall, Policy & External Affairs Director, said: “CIWM applauds recent progress made by the UK government with the release of the Simpler Recycling, digital waste tracking and carriers, brokers and dealers reforms.

“Alongside packaging EPR, these changes will set the policy context for household and commercial waste management for the next decade and beyond, so it is vital that the new secretary maintains recent momentum on the resources and waste part of their brief. There are still key aspects of the reforms that require more detail in order to drive change and unlock investment from the sector.”

CIWM believes the EPR Scheme Administrator formation, statutory guidance on Simpler Recycling, and digital waste tracking reforms are just some of the items that should be at the top of his agenda. The Government has promised further EPR reforms on other waste streams such as textiles, WEEE and batteries, and we urge the new Secretary of State to get his department working and consulting on these areas as soon as possible.

CIWM and the UK resources and waste management sector are committed to driving the development of the circular economy and want to work with the Government to realise this ambition and move to a world beyond waste.