Mounting COVID-19 waste issues highlight need for ‘diverse and resilient’ circular economy

Environmental scientists from the universities of Southampton and Portsmouth have warned of the enormous environmental impact of COVID-19 lockdown measures on waste management in the UK.

Writing in The Conversation , Professor Ian Williams , Dr Anne Stringfellow and Dr Keiron Roberts called on governments and industry to evolve the current waste management system to create a successful circular economy.

The academics’ analysis highlights the pending impact of recyclable home waste going to landfill - caused by reduced local authority recycling services - and a spike in reported rural fly-tipping.

Rising levels of food waste are also predicted to have a greater impact on the environment due to disrupted food chains, import restrictions and expiring stockpiled food.

Professor Ian Williams, of Southampton’s School of Engineering, was recently named as the only academic in a national poll of 100 influencers in the waste and resources sector.

“Ultimately, more investment in waste management will be needed as the value of recycled resources increases,” he says. “We should use the economic stimulus packages that will come after this pandemic to invest in these technologies and systems, building a more diverse and resilient circular economy.”

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