The Environment Secretary has confirmed the government’s Circular Economy Strategy, which was expected to be published in October, has been delayed until 2026.
Emma Reynolds, Minister of State at the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra), confirmed the delay to MPs during an appearance in front of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (EFRA) Committee.
Circular Online understands that Defra expects to publish the Strategy, which Reynolds referred to as the Circular Economy Growth Plan, for consultation in the coming months. The public consultation on the Strategy was due to originally begin in October this year.
Reynolds told MPs that the UK Government are ‘very committed’ to delivering a circular economy and said it presents ‘great opportunities’.
Last year, the government announced the members of the new Circular Economy Taskforce, an independent advisory group comprising experts and leaders from various sectors.
The Taskforce’s key objectives are to identify and assess mechanisms that can underpin a Circular Economy Strategy for England.
At this year’s Festival of Circular Economy, Emma Bourne OBE, Director, Circular Economy at Defra, provided an update on the Strategy.
Reynolds was appointed as Environment Secretary when her predecessor, Steve Reed, replaced Angela Rayner as the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government.
Reynolds was elected as the MP for Wycombe in the 2024 General Election and served as Economic Secretary to the Treasury from 14 January 2025 to 5 September 2025.
Dan Cooke, Director of Policy, Communications and External Affairs at CIWM said: “Whilst it’s no surprise that a new Secretary of State wishes to review and sharpen any emerging Government strategy, the delay of the long-awaited Circular Economy Growth Plan is still disappointing. We look forward to clarification as soon as possible on the schedule for its release along with the sector roadmaps.
“It’s also important that we get clarity on the proposed production of a clear roadmap for the UK resources and waste sector itself. This sector’s services provide the bedrock for a more circular economy and key metrics such as the UK’s recycling rate, resource productivity, residual waste per person, number of illegal waste sites and illegal tipping incidents, etc, are KPIs for a more resource efficient, resilient and circular economy.
“We know too that our sector’s services are a vital facilitator of thriving local economies, growth, and the well-being of communities. The sector is continuing to respond and adapt to the significant regulatory changes arising from the previous Resources and Waste Strategy and now being implemented by the UK Government, and we welcome this progress.
“We look forward to a confirmed release date for the Circular Economy Growth Plan and its roadmaps early in 2026, to ensure the resources and waste sector continues to strongly and demonstrably contribute to the opportunities for UK growth and resilience.”