Circular economy · England
The Circular Economy Growth Plan: still unpublished
The Circular Economy Growth Plan is England’s planned circular economy strategy, and as at 30 September 2026 it had not been published.
Defra’s residual waste delivery plan set “early 2026” as the milestone, and its February 2026 guidance still called the plan “upcoming”.
This page tracks what the plan is, who shaped it, what it is expected to cover, and the circular economy rules that already apply without it.
The plan
What the Circular Economy Growth Plan is
The Growth Plan began as a circular economy strategy for England, the purpose for which the Circular Economy Taskforce was set up in November 2024.
Defra’s guidance for mayoral strategic authorities says the plan has been developed with the Taskforce and identifies major opportunities in six sectors.
The same guidance says the plan includes policies to stimulate investment and innovation, support resilient supply chains, tackle the cost of living and support local prosperity.
Sector roadmaps are to be published with it, and Defra suggests regional authorities use it when planning recycling, repair and remanufacturing infrastructure.
It is policy, not statute: England has no Circular Economy Act, and any new obligation in the plan would need its own legislation.
| Priority sector |
|---|
| Agri-food |
| Construction |
| Chemicals |
| Electronics |
| Textiles |
| Transport |
The delay
From “early 2026” to still waiting
The clearest primary milestone is in Defra’s residual waste delivery plan of 1 December 2025, which listed “early 2026” for publishing a circular economy growth plan for England.
The same document said Defra intended to publish the plan “soon”.
Early 2026 passed, and Defra’s own guidance and the Environment Agency’s 2026 to 2027 business plan continued to describe the plan as upcoming.
Businesses have pressed publicly for publication, as trade press has reported.
The Taskforce’s page says its chair and deputy chair were appointed until February 2026, and no renewal is recorded there, so this page names no current chair.
- Nov 2024Circular Economy Taskforce established
Advisory, to support a strategy for England.
- 1 Dec 2025Residual waste delivery plan
"Early 2026: publish a circular economy growth plan for England."
- Feb 2026Taskforce chair's appointment term ends
No renewal confirmed on GOV.UK.
- 26 Feb 2026Mayoral guidance
Plan described as "upcoming".
- 17 Jul 2026Environment Agency business plan
Plan still described as upcoming.
- 30 Sep 2026Not published
No plan on GOV.UK.
Do not wait for the plan
The rules that apply without it
The plan’s delay does not leave England without circular economy law: several regimes run on their own statutory timetables.
| Measure | Status | What it does | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Packaging EPR | Live; fees since October 2025 | Producers pay for and report on the packaging they supply | SI 2024/1332 |
| Plastic Packaging Tax | Live since April 2022; £228.82/t from 1 April 2026 | Taxes plastic packaging with less than 30% recycled plastic | FA 2021 s.45 |
| Simpler Recycling — workplaces | In force; micro-firms exempt until 31 March 2027 | Separate collection of recyclable streams from businesses | SI 2025/140 |
| Simpler Recycling — households | From 31 March 2026 | Consistent household collections in England | EPA 1990 s.45A |
| Deposit return scheme | From 1 October 2027 | A refundable deposit on in-scope drinks containers | SI 2025/67 |
Packaging EPR is the one most businesses meet first; the thresholds, deadlines and fees are on our extended producer responsibility for packaging guide.
The 2025/26 base fees are the only final per-material fees, and the 2026/27 notices are due by the end of November 2026.
“All businesses had to comply with Simpler Recycling from March 2025” is wrong for micro-firms, which have until 31 March 2027 under regulation 4(1) of SI 2025/140.
Why it matters
The plan and England’s residual waste target
The Growth Plan is not only an industrial policy; Defra has tied it to England’s statutory residual waste target under the Environment Act 2021.
Its delivery plan says the Growth Plan will inform the circular economy programme that follows, and that only after publication can Defra assess the impact of further policies on reducing residual waste.
In other words, the packaging and collection reforms already in force are not expected to be enough on their own, and the policies meant to close the gap wait on the plan.
The publication date and the document itself; commitments and roadmaps by sector; any consultations or regulations it announces; and how it positions England against Scotland’s Act and the EU’s.
Comparison
Scotland, Wales and the EU by contrast
Scotland legislated: the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 requires a circular economy strategy and targets, and its core provisions came into force on 1 August 2025.
Wales has had a strategy since 2021, Beyond Recycling.
The EU’s Circular Economy Act is described by the European Commission as due for adoption in 2026, as part of a goal to double the EU’s circularity rate to 24% by 2030.
Our Circular Economy Act page sets the four side by side, and the ideas behind them are on our circular economy theory page.
For help turning live obligations into a wider plan, see our circular economy consultancy guide, or book a free 15-minute call.
Frequently asked
Questions people ask
Has the Circular Economy Growth Plan been published?
No. As at 30 September 2026 the Circular Economy Growth Plan for England had not been published on GOV.UK. Defra's December 2025 residual waste delivery plan listed "early 2026" as the milestone and said it intended to publish the plan soon, and its February 2026 guidance to mayoral authorities still called the plan "upcoming".
What is the Circular Economy Growth Plan?
It is England's planned circular economy policy, originally described as a circular economy strategy for England. Defra says it has been developed with the Circular Economy Taskforce, identifies opportunities across agri-food, construction, chemicals, electronics, textiles and transport, and will be published with sector roadmaps. It is a policy document, not legislation.
What is the Circular Economy Taskforce?
An independent expert advisory group established in November 2024 to support the government in creating a circular economy strategy for England. It is advisory and non-statutory. Its chair and deputy chair were ministerially appointed until February 2026, and no primary source confirms a renewal, so this page names no current chair.
Is the Growth Plan the same as a Circular Economy Act?
No. There is no Circular Economy Act for the UK or England. The Growth Plan is policy: any new obligations it announces would need their own legislation or regulations. Scotland does have an Act, the Circular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024.
Which circular economy rules apply now, without the Growth Plan?
Packaging extended producer responsibility, with reporting deadlines on 1 October and 1 April for large producers; the Plastic Packaging Tax at £228.82 per tonne from 1 April 2026; Simpler Recycling for workplaces in England, with micro-firms exempt until 31 March 2027; and the deposit return scheme from 1 October 2027.
Why does the Growth Plan matter for waste targets?
Defra's residual waste delivery plan says the Growth Plan will inform the circular economy programme that follows it, and that only after publication will Defra be able to assess the impact of further policies on reducing residual waste towards the Environment Act target.
Which sectors will the Growth Plan cover?
Defra names six: agri-food, construction, chemicals, electronics, textiles and transport. Its guidance says sector roadmaps will be published with the Growth Plan and will take a long-term view.
Sources
Primary sources
Every figure, date and status on this page traces to the instrument’s owner. Secondary commentary is never the source for a number.
- DefraCircular Economy Taskforce
Established November 2024; advisory; chair and deputy appointed until February 2026.
- DefraResidual waste reduction Environment Act target delivery plan (1 December 2025)
"Early 2026: publish a circular economy growth plan for England"; "We intend to publish the Circular Economy Growth Plan soon".
- DefraCircularity guidance for mayoral strategic authorities (26 February 2026)
"Our upcoming Circular Economy Growth Plan…"; six sectors; sector roadmaps to be published with it.
- legislation.gov.ukEnvironment Act 2021
The powers behind packaging EPR, deposit schemes and waste separation.
- legislation.gov.ukCircular Economy (Scotland) Act 2024 (asp 13)
Scotland's Act, in contrast to England's policy route.
- Welsh GovernmentBeyond Recycling (2 March 2021)
Wales's circular economy strategy.
- European CommissionCircular economy — DG Environment strategy page
The EU Circular Economy Act, "due for adoption in 2026".
- Defra / PackUKExtended producer responsibility for packaging: 2025 base fees
Packaging EPR, live and charging fees.
- legislation.gov.ukSI 2024/1332, regulation 35
Packaging EPR reporting deadlines.
- legislation.gov.ukFinance Act 2021, section 45 (revised)
Plastic Packaging Tax at £228.82 per tonne from 1 April 2026.
- legislation.gov.ukSI 2025/140 — Separation of Waste (England) Regulations 2025
Simpler Recycling; micro-firms exempt until 31 March 2027.
- legislation.gov.ukEnvironmental Protection Act 1990, section 45A
Household recycling streams in England (Simpler Recycling).
- legislation.gov.ukSI 2025/67 — Deposit Scheme for Drinks Containers (England and Northern Ireland) Regulations 2025
In force 1 October 2027.
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