Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what steps she plans to take to encourage the uptake of reuse and repair as drivers of a more circular economy.

This Government is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy where resources are kept in use for longer and waste is designed out. This systemic change, with investment in green jobs and vital infrastructure, builds a path to economic growth, progress towards Net Zero, restoration of nature, and a more resilient economy.

We intend to publish a Circular Economy Growth Plan that sets out how Government will deliver a more circular and more prosperous economy.

The Plan will set out the biggest opportunities in sectors right across the economy, including agri-food; built environment; chemicals and plastics; electrical and electronic equipment; textiles; and transport. It will also consider critical enablers including skills and infrastructure.

Reuse and repair is a fundamental element of any circular economy, there are significant economic opportunities in keeping items in use for longer such as the £6.9 billion of clothing and furniture the UK discards that is suitable for reuse and economic repairs.

Meanwhile we continue to push forward new policy and delivery to deliver on the government’s circular economy ambitions.