North London Waste Authority (NLWA) is urging the Government to transform the UK’s recycling and circular economy infrastructure, following the 2025 Autumn budget.
While welcoming the Chancellor’s commitment to an additional £120 billion in capital investment, NLWA stressed that a fair share must go towards building a circular economy that keeps valuable resources in the UK. NLWA called for a viable portion to be allocated to building up the UK’s circular infrastructure, including a recycling facility for absorbent hygiene products at NLWA's Edmonton EcoPark to tackle nappies and period products, which make up nearly 9% of household waste in north London.
NLWA chair, Cllr Clyde Loakes MBE, said: “The UK desperately needs more investment in recycling infrastructure along with policy mechanisms to ensure that shipping recycling overseas is never cheaper than keeping those resources here. Support from the Government would create opportunities for UK business including those wanting to manufacture with this recycled content to make the sustainable goods consumers want.”
Cllr Loakes said it was therefore disappointing that the Government had not been more ambitious on the Plastic Packaging Tax. While the budget confirmed that the Government is raising the rates in line with CPI for 2026-27, a rise in the tax and thresholds would have likely incentivised an increased use of recycled materials in products.
On the announcement of a consultation on the introduction of a certification for mechanically recycled plastic packaging for businesses to claim an exemption from Plastic Packaging Tax, Cllr Loakes commented. “This will strengthen the verification of recycled plastics. But it is unclear how the scheme would be enforced and by whom.”
Regarding the Government plans to make improvements to the packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme, NLWA raised concerns about proposals regarding local authorities’ use of fees.
“Producers should not be given undue control over the scheme and local authorities must retain control over our budgets and services,” said Cllr Loakes. “Local authorities are already required to be transparent about our spending. It is vital that the scheme does not shift away from cost recovery to producers making demands on how it is spent.”
The Chancellor’s support of entrepreneurs to start, scale and stay in the UK was also welcomed by NLWA. It called for dedicated support for those entrepreneurs building circular economic businesses. Likewise, NLWA wants to see greater support of circular economy R&D.