The latest Labour government has pledged to focus on the circular economy. Credit: BOY ANTHONY via Shutterstock.

New analysis has revealed a significant decline in the amount of waste and recycling data published by the former Conservative government in the UK.

The number of data sets released fell by more than half between 2010 and 2022, according to research by the Copper Sustainability Partnership.

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The decline coincides with a broader trend of reduced environmental reporting across various industries.

The government’s emphasis on economic growth led to a relaxation of environmental regulations, including those related to waste management.

This, combined with cuts in funding for environmental research and protection, contributed to a decline in the availability of data.

The research found that the average number of waste and recycling data sets published per year decreased from 30 in the early years of the Conservative government to just 12 by 2022.

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This decline has raised concerns about the ability to monitor and address waste management issues effectively.

The withdrawal of the UK from the EU also led to changes in waste management reporting requirements.

The UK is no longer required to report on waste treatment across different Nomenclature of Economic Activities areas, a classification system used by the EU to categorise economic activities.

Additionally, corporate sustainability reporting requirements are more comprehensive in the EU, where large and listed companies are mandated to disclose information on their environmental impact.

The decline in waste and recycling reporting has been criticised by domestic environmental campaigners and industry experts.

They argue that this data is essential for informing policy decisions and holding businesses accountable for their environmental practices.

The new Labour government has pledged to prioritise waste reduction and transition to a circular economy.

However, to achieve these goals, it will be necessary to reinstate key environmental reports and strengthen the government’s capacity to monitor and enforce waste management regulations.