At the December DEFRA forum, Minister Mary Creagh CBE MP delivered a speech highlighting the collective vision of a better, cleaner and more resilient future for the UK. She emphasised the commitment to transitioning to a circular economy, moving away from the harmful linear model of take, make, and throw. This shift aims to keep valuable materials in use for longer, reducing environmental and societal harm.

The Minister outlined the opportunity for the UK to become a world leader in circular design, technology, and industry. This transition is expected to increase the resilience and productivity of the economy, attract new investments in manufacturing and processing infrastructure, and create highly skilled green jobs. The packaging reforms alone are estimated to create 21,000 jobs over ten years and bring £10 billion in investment.

She described this shift as a fundamental change in how materials and products are designed, made, and used. The Circular Economy approach encourages repair, reuse, and innovation, ensuring resources are used repeatedly and waste is minimized from the start. This approach contrasts with the current linear model, which depletes resources and generates waste.

The Minister called for continued efforts to drive this transition forward, emphasising the need for a strategy that works for everyone. She urged collaboration to design a framework that delivers real results and embraces the necessary behavioural, cultural and economic changes needed to drive this progress. Together, she believes the UK can lead the world in innovation and sustainability.

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