5 things we learned at RWM 2025

Circular Online recaps some of the most fascinating insights from RWM 2025, keep reading to find out about five sessions where we learned something new.

A behind the scenes look at Global Plastics Treaty negotiations

Once hailed as the ‘most important environmental deal since Paris’, the Global Plastics Treaty has stalled after six rounds of negotiations.

In a fascinating session, Zoë Lenkiewicz, founder and director of Global Waste Lab, gave her first-hand account of the talks and offered an explanation for why an agreement has not been reached.

Lenkiewicz facilitated an inter-sessional discussion on ‘problematic plastics’ and ‘chemicals of concern’.

Iranian and Russian diplomats, Lenkiewicz explained, arrived among the best-prepared, underscoring how strategically charged the talks have become.

It came down to economics, Lenkiewicz observed before pointing out that eighteen companies produce half of the world’s plastics. Lenkiewicz felt the negotiations were about profit and power, not waste.

Production caps, voting rules, and chemical regulation emerged as the core sticking points, Lenkiewicz told delegates.

However, politics and science remain misaligned. Over 250 scientific organisations are calling for production caps and chemical controls, while oil-producing states, led by the USA, resist binding measures.

Defra announces new carbon budget and delivery plan in net zero drive

James Cruddas, Deputy Director at Defra, announced at RWM that the UK Government will publish a new carbon budget and delivery plan next month to accelerate progress toward net zero.

The plan, developed with Whitehall departments and the Circular Economy Taskforce, aims to support economic growth, cut consumer costs, and reduce emissions.

Cruddas highlighted cutting biodegradable waste to landfill as a top priority, emphasising its influence on future emissions.

He also cautioned about the carbon consequences of incinerating waste, noting that the goal is to reduce emissions overall rather than simply relocate them.

Cruddas stressed that the government’s role is to facilitate progress, with implementation driven by businesses, local authorities, and communities.

Central to this approach are strategic partnerships, he explained, including collaboration with the Mayor of London, the Dutch and UK financial sectors, and the establishment of a Circular Economy Finance Group to attract investment.

In concluding remarks, Cruddas said that circularity should not only be assessed by measuring environmental outcomes but also its social value and economic benefits.

Circular Economy Taskforce give fascinating insight into their work

Members of the UK Circular Economy Taskforce were part of a unique panel that gave delegates the latest insight into the UK’s forthcoming circular economy strategy.

Gathering in the Circular Economy Theatre, the session featured Wayne Hubbard (ReLondon), David Greenfield (CIWM and SOENECS), Stuart Hayward-Higham, Jacob Hayler, and Libby Peake.

The panel explained how the strategy they’re helping the UK Government to develop must translate into real-world impact if it is to drive systemic change across supply chains.

The strategy is scheduled for release this autumn and will outline roadmaps for six priority sectors, with each Taskforce member responsible for a sector.  

The panel noted that the strategy is intended to support the broader adoption of circular economy principles across industries. They also explained it will address cross-cutting themes, including finance, innovation, and waste management.

Interestingly, at least three-quarters of the RWM audience had been consulted in some way on the strategy.

The panel concluded the session by emphasising that the strategy’s success depends on the delivery of real-world outcomes.

What does the future of the sector look like?

In a showcase of the brightest up and coming talent in the sector, Dr. Adam Read, Chief Sustainability Officer at SUEZ UK, chaired a session featuring some past and present 35U35: Early Careers Ambassadors.

The panel gave their perspective on how to build a career in the sector, the value of mentorship, and handling discrimination in the workplace.

A recurring theme throughout the discussion was that, with the exception of Adam Read, none of the panellists had originally planned to work in resources and waste but they had all grown to love the sector.

The session ended with a clear message: the future of the sector depends on innovation, but also on nurturing talent, investing in people, and building a collaborative culture.

How renewable projects have become essential for Ukraine’s national security

The final day of RWM kicked off with a powerful session that spotlighted how the energy transition in Ukraine is a matter of national security.

Alex Sobel, MP for Leeds Central and Headingley, was joined by Imogen Payter, the Co-Founder of UK Friends of Ukraine, to explain Ukraine’s ambitious efforts to transform its energy infrastructure amid Russia’s ongoing invasion.

The pair had just landed that morning after a 6-day trip to Ukraine as part of a delegation with other members of parliament and businesses looking to invest in the country.

Sobel and Payter explained that renewable energy infrastructure, such as wind turbines and solar panels, are far harder to target than nuclear plants, which can be shut down with a direct missile strike.

The only way for Russia to attack these projects is through drone strikes and, as substations are built underground, this makes them even for difficult to target.

While drones can hit individual panels or turbines, the damage is limited and quickly repaired, making such attacks very inefficient.

This resilience has made renewables a strategic priority, showcasing how Ukraine is adapting its energy infrastructure to withstand Russian aggression.