From waste to worth through reform, innovation and collaboration
The UK’s shift to a circular economy demands bold leadership, innovation, and strategic collaboration. Sponsor of the UK Green Business Awards 2025, Viridor, highlights that this transformation hinges on significant investment in infrastructure and technology. Despite current recycling efforts, the UK still landfills 14 million tonnes and exports 10 million tonnes of waste annually. Plastic waste remains a major challenge, with 90 billion items discarded each year. Reforms like Enhanced Producer Responsibility (EPR), introduced in April 2025, aim to shift recycling costs to producers, spurring better packaging practices. However, achieving the 65% recycling target by 2035 requires more—especially in advanced recycling technologies like Plastics-to-Liquids (PtL). Research suggests that expanding domestic recycling could unlock a £1 billion investment opportunity and generate over 2,000 jobs. Yet, short-term contracts and market volatility hinder investment. To succeed, the UK needs policy certainty, next-gen technologies, and public-private cooperation to build a resilient circular economy. Learn more about this initiative.
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