The Circular Economy Growth Plan: still unpublished, still overdue
England’s Circular Economy Growth Plan — the country’s answer to a single circular-economy law — has been in development since late 2024 and remains unpublished as of 28 July 2026.
This page tracks what it is, why it’s late, what it’s expected to cover, and the live rules that already apply regardless of when it lands.
What the Growth Plan is
The Circular Economy Growth Plan — formerly referred to as the “circular economy strategy” — is England’s forthcoming policy document setting direction for resource efficiency, eco-design and waste reduction[2].
It is being developed with the independent Circular Economy Taskforce, established in late 2024 and chaired by Andrew Morlet[1].
The Taskforce has focused its advice on priority sectors: agri-food, construction, chemicals, electronics, textiles and transport[1].
Each is expected to get sector-specific recommendations rather than a single blanket rule.
It is policy, not statute — England has no single “Circular Economy Act”[4].
For how England’s approach differs from Scotland’s Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024[5], Wales’s Beyond Recycling strategy[6], and the EU’s own forthcoming Circular Economy Act[7], see our EU Circular Economy Act — and is there a UK one? page.
Why it’s late
The delay has run through several stages.
A GOV.UK milestone once pointed to publication in “early 2026”[1].
That date passed without publication.
On 6 May 2026, more than 50 businesses wrote to Defra urging publication without further delay[3].
As of 28 July 2026, Defra’s position is that the plan is coming “soon”, with no confirmed date[1].
| Point | What happened |
|---|---|
| Late 2024 | Circular Economy Taskforce established, chaired by Andrew Morlet |
| Through 2025 | Taskforce advises on priority sectors; strategy renamed the "Growth Plan" |
| GOV.UK milestone | Publication expected "early 2026" |
| 6 May 2026 | 50+ businesses write to Defra urging publication |
| 28 July 2026 (today) | Still unpublished; Defra says "soon", no confirmed date |
The live rules that don’t wait on the Growth Plan
The Growth Plan being unpublished does not mean England has no circular-economy rules.
Several measures are already in force, running on their own statutory timetables[2].
| Measure | Status | What it does |
|---|---|---|
| Packaging EPR | Live — fees since 2025 | Charges producers for packaging waste management costs |
| Plastic Packaging Tax | Live since 2022 | Taxes plastic packaging under 30% recycled content |
| Simpler Recycling (businesses) | Live from March 2025 | Consistent recycling collections for businesses |
| Simpler Recycling (households) | From March 2026 | Consistent recycling collections for households |
| Deposit Return Scheme | Planned start October 2027 | Refundable deposit on in-scope drinks containers |
For the detail on packaging EPR, the Plastic Packaging Tax and the Deposit Return Scheme, see our EU Circular Economy Act — and is there a UK one? page, which maps the UK instruments in full.
What a publication-day update will cover
When the Growth Plan is published, this section will be the first to update with: the confirmed publication date and document; specific commitments or targets by priority sector (agri-food, construction, chemicals, electronics, textiles, transport); any new statutory instruments or consultation timelines it announces; and how it positions England relative to Scotland’s 2024 Act, Wales’s Beyond Recycling strategy, and the EU’s own Circular Economy Act.
Until then, treat every date above as the best-available public information, not a confirmed government commitment — and check back here, since this page is designed to move fast once the plan lands.
The link to sustainability reporting
Resource use and circularity are increasingly part of formal sustainability disclosure, not just operational policy.
As the UK Sustainability Reporting Standards take effect, waste and material-use data a business already gathers for EPR and the Plastic Packaging Tax becomes reusable evidence for wider reporting.
For help translating these live obligations into a broader circularity strategy, see our circular economy consultancy guide.
Circular Economy Growth Plan: frequently asked questions
Has the Circular Economy Growth Plan been published?
No — as of 28 July 2026, England’s Circular Economy Growth Plan remains unpublished. A GOV.UK milestone once targeted "early 2026"; over 50 businesses wrote to Defra on 6 May 2026 urging publication; Defra says only "soon", with no confirmed date. This page will update within days of publication.
What is the Circular Economy Growth Plan?
It is England’s forthcoming circular-economy policy document — formerly called the "circular economy strategy" — being developed with input from the independent Circular Economy Taskforce. It is expected to set direction for resource efficiency, eco-design and waste reduction across England’s economy, with an initial focus on several priority sectors.
Who is on the Circular Economy Taskforce?
The Circular Economy Taskforce is an independent advisory group established in late 2024 to help government co-design the Growth Plan, chaired by Andrew Morlet. It has focused its advice on priority sectors: agri-food, construction, chemicals, electronics, textiles and transport.
Is there a UK Circular Economy Act?
No — there is no single UK statute called the "Circular Economy Act". The Growth Plan is policy, not statute, and applies to England specifically. Scotland has its own Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024, and Wales has a strategy called "Beyond Recycling". See our EU Circular Economy Act and UK disambiguation page for the full picture.
What circular-economy rules already apply to UK businesses, regardless of the Growth Plan?
Several measures are already live and do not wait on the Growth Plan: the packaging extended producer responsibility (EPR) scheme has been charging fees since 2025; the Plastic Packaging Tax has applied since 2022; Simpler Recycling brings consistent recycling collections to businesses (from March 2025) and households (from March 2026); and the Deposit Return Scheme is due to launch in October 2027.
- Circular Economy Taskforce — GOV.UK / DEFRA · Established late 2024, chair Andrew Morlet; priority sectors: agri-food, construction, chemicals, electronics, textiles, transport
- Residual waste reduction (Environment Act target) delivery plan — GOV.UK / DEFRA · Simpler Recycling for households from March 2026; packaging EPR from April 2025; DRS launch October 2027
- Top firms push UK government to publish circular economy plan — edie.net · 50+ businesses’ 6 May 2026 letter to Defra urging publication
- Environment Act 2021 — legislation.gov.uk · UK-wide framework powers for EPR and deposit schemes that already bind businesses
- Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 — legislation.gov.uk · Scotland’s own statute — a genuine "Act", distinct from England’s Growth Plan
- Beyond Recycling — a strategy to make the circular economy in Wales a reality — Welsh Government · Wales’s own circular-economy strategy
- Extended Producer Responsibility for Packaging: 2025 base fees — GOV.UK / DEFRA / PackUK · Live now, independent of the Growth Plan — confirmed base fees, first invoices October 2025
- EU circular economy strategy — European Commission · The EU’s equivalent proposal (Circular Economy Act, expected Q3 2026) — a separate, EU-level instrument