A transition to a circular economy could unlock a £4bn “hidden reuse mine” in the UK, specifically around companies positioned in strategically important sectors. A number of opportunities to monetise waste streams as valuable resources were identified in a new report, published by Veolia.
Imagine 2050 focused on manufacturing, pharmaceutical, chemical, food and beverage, which generate 13 million tonnes of waste, which if reused, recycled or remanufactured, could add an extra £4bn to the UK economy.
The report conducts detailed analysis of each of the sectors, identifying a particularly significant opportunity in manufacturing, which produces five million tonnes of waste annually. By 2050, taking into account potential advancements in fields like nanotechnology and 3D printing, waste materials could be transformed into tradable commodities with 100% recovery rates. £2.8bn of hidden value could be uncovered in waste streams by generating and recovering energy and water resources, concludes the research.
For a more detailed overview of the report, read Edie’s summary of the findings here.
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