Circular economy can unlock a £4bn ‘hidden’ UK reuse mine, but businesses will need to collaborate

Businesses are beginning to understand and reap the benefits of implementing circular operating models, but adoption across numerous sectors will likely flounder unless enhanced cooperation paves the way to the “collaborative economy”. That is the view of a cross-sector panel of delegates convened by waste specialist Veolia for its London-based launch of the Imagine 2050 report on Wednesday 2 November. The Imagine 2050 report highlights that the three “strategically important” sectors of manufacturing, pharmaceutical and chemical and food and beverage are currently generating a 13 million tonne “waste mine”. According to Veolia, if the waste was re-used, recycled or re-manufactured an extra £4bn could be added to the UK economy. Download the report from the Veolia web site, and read more about the discussions at the launch event on the Edie web site.