The 2018 Resources and Waste Strategy for England is entering its final implementation phase — and the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) wants the government to commit now to a successor strategy covering the 2030s.

CIWM set out its case in a new policy briefing, A New Strategic Direction for the Resources and Waste Sector in England, produced alongside the Circular Economy Institute and in partnership with Susan Evans at consultancy Resource Futures. The institution argues that publishing a new strategy now would give the sector sufficient lead time to plan for and invest in the required infrastructure and operational changes.

The timeline CIWM proposes is specific. It wants a strategy covering at least the Sixth Carbon Budget period, 2033–37, and ideally extending to 2042, when the long-term residual waste reduction target falls due.

Where England stands

The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) expects England to achieve 90–100% of its 2030 interim waste reduction target. CIWM does not dispute the progress, but argues the next generation of policy measures must build on it and deliver the sector's "economic, social and environmental potential."

The briefing also presses government to work with the sector on a clear long-term vision and the specific policy mechanisms — including financial and fiscal incentives — needed to deliver the long-delayed Circular Economy Growth Plan, for which the government has so far given no firm publication date.

According to the briefing, long-term policy certainty can "unlock vital infrastructure investment, protect domestic supply chains, and keep valuable materials circulating in the UK economy."

While the document focuses on England, it flags areas where coordination with Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will be critical.

Six 'go beyond' tests

CIWM frames its priorities as a series of extensions to the current strategy's scope:

• Beyond packaging and food waste. Extend policy focus to other high-impact material streams including textiles, electrical and electronic equipment, and construction and demolition waste.
• Beyond recycling. Incentivise reuse and reduction, supporting repair, refurbishment, remanufacturing and product lifetime extension.
• Beyond collections. Create stronger domestic demand for recycled materials and reused products, and encourage investment in UK reprocessing, refurbishment and remanufacturing capacity.
• Beyond environmental goals. Recognise resource management's strategic role in economic resilience and security, reindustrialisation, social value and skilled employment.
• Tackle health and safety and waste crime. CIWM warns these core issues must improve so they do not undermine progress across the sector.
• Deliver realistic, consistent implementation. Policies must be achievable and applied consistently to give businesses and investors confidence.

What CIWM said

Dan Cooke, CIWM Director of Policy, Communications and External Affairs, acknowledged significant progress under the 2018 strategy but said the government must now look ahead.

"We hope to see a high-level and ambitious Circular Economy Growth Plan published soon, but this sector needs a coherent strategic roadmap to deliver on its potential and continue the strong progress made over recent years towards greater UK resource efficiency," Cooke said.

"The next strategy must build on what has already been achieved while broadening our ambition beyond recycling, renewable energy and better collections."

The briefing concludes that, with the right policy support, the resources and waste sector can play a "critical role" in supporting UK economic growth and security, creating skilled careers and revitalising local economies.

What happens next

Two dates now frame the policy picture for England's material streams: the publication of the Circular Economy Growth Plan, still without a firm deadline, and Defra's delivery verdict on the 2030 interim waste reduction target, which the department itself expects to fall only just short of full achievement. Whether ministers answer CIWM's call for a 2030s strategy before the 2033 start of the Sixth Carbon Budget period will determine how much lead time operators and investors actually get.