EFRA Committee launch new inquiry into the circular economy

Much of the UK economy is still linear, based on the principles of using and disposing of products and the resources used to make them. This inquiry will examine the progress of the UK government in bringing about a more circular economy, and the work of key regulators to ensure that waste is sustainably managed. 

The inquiry will first focus on the Global Plastics Treaty. The fifth and final round of negotiations for a new Global Plastics Treaty (Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee or INC-5) was intended to finish in November 2024 in South Korea. However, the talks ended without an agreement and another round of talks (INC-5.2) is scheduled to take place between 5 and 14 August 2025 in Switzerland.  

The EFRA Committee will hold an evidence session on plastic pollution in July, in which MPs will explore the key proposed elements of the Treaty, the UK’s leadership on the issues, and the barriers that need to be overcome to achieve an agreement in the August talks. 

Throughout the span of this long-term inquiry the Committee is likely to consider a range of topics including international cooperation and waste exports and packaging reforms such as extended producer responsibility, deposit return schemes, as well as simpler recycling and the plastic packaging tax. 

MPs will likely also examine efforts to lessen the environmental impact and use of landfill and incineration, to reduce the use of single use items, to encourage more ecological product designs, and to tackle waste crime. 

Ahead of the evidence session in July, and to inform its work focused on the Treaty, the Committee invites written evidence submissions on any or all of the below points, by 23:59 on Wednesday 18 June. 

Call for evidence

• What were the main reasons for the INC-5 talks in November 2024 failing to reach agreement on a Global Plastics Treaty?
• What are the main areas of agreement and divergence between parties?
• How might remaining areas of disagreement be overcome at INC-5.2 in August 2025?
• What would represent a successful outcome, and what are the prospects for this?
• What can the UK Government do to demonstrate leadership and drive ambition with regards to the proposed Treaty?

Chair comment

Chair of the EFRA Committee, Alistair Carmichael MP, said: 

“The growth of plastic pollution has been a blight on our shores for decades. It is a global issue that requires international cooperation. Ahead of the negotiations in August, our Committee will look at how the Government could take a lead on this and what a successful outcome from the talks would look like.  

“Plastic pollution is just one symptom of the broader problem of our linear economy, which is causing environmental damage as well as economic waste. In this broad inquiry, we will scrutinise efforts to bring about a more circular economy and progress on developing circular economies across different sectors, including agriculture and organic wastes such as food.” 

Further information

• About Parliament: Select committees
• Visiting Parliament: Watch committees

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