Towards a Circular Future: Government Signals Shift Away from Throwaway Culture

The UK Government has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling waste and transitioning towards a circular economy, with Environment Secretary Steve Reed pledging to “end the throwaway society.” In a recent announcement, Reed outlined plans to work alongside businesses to reduce waste, support green growth, and clean up the environment. 

Key themes include: 

• Collaboration with business: Reed emphasised that the transition won’t be achieved through bans or burdensome regulation alone, but by working with businesses to co-design practical solutions. This signals an intent to create policy that supports innovation and industry, rather than constrains it.  
• Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) and beyond: Among the initiatives mentioned is the long-anticipated reform of packaging waste, including EPR. Reed acknowledged the need for clarity and consistency, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.  
• Tackling resource waste: A renewed focus on reducing litter and increasing resource efficiency was also highlighted, with future plans set to address issues across fast fashion, food waste, and single-use plastics. These are crucial areas where smarter systems and behavioural change can unlock both environmental and economic benefits. 
• What this means for businesses: For the organisations Beyondly work with and support, this announcement underlines the importance of getting ahead of policy by embedding circular thinking now. Whether it’s understanding packaging obligations, measuring environmental impact, or exploring low-waste innovations, the direction of travel is clear – and those who adapt early will be best placed to thrive. 

Beyondly’s recommendations 

At Beyondly, we believe this moment presents a real opportunity to move away from short-term fixes and towards long-term resilience. To enable an efficient start, Beyondly has outlined six key suggestions for the Circular Economy Task Force – ‘Beyondly’s Circular Economy Recommendations’.  

Chris Smith, Lead Consultant Resource Efficiency and Circularity at Beyondly, said: 

“As the Circular Economy Task force becomes established, Beyondly will aim to support and engage across our areas of expertise, towards a delivering a functional circular economy strategy. As policy outputs evolve, we will continue to keep our partners and customers informed and supported every step of the way.” 

For any queries regarding this development and its impact on UK businesses, please email policynews@beyond.ly.