Key Topics From the 2 September 2025 DEFRA Circular Economy Forum

Defra’s recent Circular Economy Joint Stakeholder Engagement Forum provided key updates on England’s Circular Economy Strategy, government procurement standards, emissions trading, recycling initiatives, and PackUK activities.

Stakeholders heard that the draft Circular Economy Strategy is with Ministers ahead of an expected Autumn 2025 publication, while updates on the UK ETS expansion, Simpler Recycling, and Environment Agency guidance were also shared. Applications for PackUK’s Steering Group have been extended, and the next forum dates were confirmed.

Key Updates:

• Circular Economy Strategy: Draft Strategy with Ministers; publication & consultation expected Autumn 2025. Priority sectors: agrifood, built environment, chemicals & plastics, textiles, transport, electronics. Cross-cutting areas include standards, finance/innovation, place, governance, skills, and public procurement.
• Government Buying Standards / CE Green Paper: Updates provided on mandatory and best practice standards for public sector procurement; further engagement planned via webinars and surveys.
• UK Emissions Trading Scheme – Waste Expansion: Officials provided updates on the UK ETS, which will now include energy from waste and waste incineration to support decarbonisation of the sector. Key points shared:
• ETS expansion will align with the Producer Responsibility Extended Producer Responsibility (pEPR) scheme; costs are expected to pass back to producers.
• Expansion forms part of wider waste sector reform, with further policy work planned, including incentives for heat offtake.
• During Q&A, officials confirmed that EPR base fees will increase as pEPR expands to include ETS, although some stakeholder questions (e.g., on costs of recyclable packaging ending up in incineration) remain unanswered. Responses are expected in the next Circular Economy newsletter.
• Simpler Recycling: Ongoing support for Local Authorities through guidance, webinars, 1-2-1 support, and comms templates.
• PackUK: New CEO Jez Blake and CSO Esther Carter introduced; Steering Group applications extended to 12pm, 12 September.
• Environment Agency: Updated guidance for reprocessors & exporters (Aug 2025); 1 Oct 2025 deadline for large producer registration; submission of Jan–Jun 2025 packaging data required.

Useful links provided by EA:

• Packaging waste: apply for registration and accreditation as a reprocessor or exporter – GOV.UK
• Packaging waste: 2026 registration and accreditation process for reprocessors and exporters – GOV.UK
• Extended producer responsibility for packaging: templates for sampling and inspection plans – GOV.UK
• File specification for packaging data from 2025 – GOV.UK
• Extended producer responsibility for packaging: example files for packaging data – GOV.UK
• Extended producer responsibility for packaging: generate a packaging data file – GOV.UK
• Recyclability assessment methodology: how to assess your packaging waste – GOV.UK
• National Packaging Waste Database