UK Government Calls for Evidence on Waste Prevention and the Circular Economy
RECOUP members are encouraged to contribute to a significant government inquiry into global plastic pollution, specifically in relation to the Global Plastics Treaty.
Following the failure of the November 2024 INC-5 (International Governmental Committee) talks to reach an agreement on a legally binding treaty, the UK Government’s Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee is now calling for evidence ahead of the reconvened negotiations (INC-5.2), which will take place in August 2025 in Geneva.
The Committee is seeking written evidence on the following key questions:
- What were the main reasons for the failure of the INC-5 talks in November 2024?
- What are the main areas of agreement and divergence between parties involved in the discussions?
- How can the remaining areas of disagreement be addressed ahead of INC-5.2?
- What would represent a successful outcome for the Global Plastics Treaty, and what are the prospects for this?
- How can the UK Government demonstrate leadership and drive ambition on this issue?
The deadline for submission is Wednesday 18 June 2025, at 23:59.
This call for evidence forms part of a broader long-term inquiry into the UK’s progress towards a more circular economy. Topics for scrutiny may include, but are not limited to:
- Packaging reforms such as Extended Producer Responsibility, Deposit Return Schemes, Simpler Recycling, and the Plastic Packaging Tax
- Reducing the use of single-use items and encouraging more ecological product designs
- International cooperation and waste exports
- Encouraging more sustainable product imports
- Growing domestic reuse, repair and recycling industries
- Developing circular economies across different sectors, including agriculture and organic waste such as food
- Efforts to lessen the environmental impact and use of landfill and incineration
- Tackling waste crime
This is a vital opportunity for stakeholders to provide evidence on a pivotal issue in the fight against plastic pollution. Written evidence does not need to cover all questions, and contributions will be used to inform the Committee’s work leading up to the negotiations in Geneva.
For full details on how to submit evidence, please refer to the guidance available on the official website. To submit your evidence, email efracom@parliament.uk.
You can find the inquiry landing page here, and the call to evidence here.