| Abstract |
The shift towards a circular economy is vital for reducing household waste and achieving net zero goals. Based on a placement with a county council in England, this policy brief examines the role of local governance in promoting waste minimisation using a practice theory approach. By drawing on waste data from the county council, external and internal stakeholder interviews and academic literature, it explores the transition towards a circular economy by providing insights on the challenges faced by local governance in promoting waste minimisation.
The brief highlights innovative practices in prevention, repair, and recycling that can transform waste management systems, while acknowledging their interconnected complexities across practices. It underscores the need for local authorities to take a whole-system and cross-sectoral approach, empowering them with resources and policy frameworks that incentivise circular practices among households, fostering community engagement in waste reduction initiatives, and integrating circular economy principles into local governance strategies. It also highlights the need for further research into innovate food waste prevention strategies, recycling diversities and peer-to-peer sharing that have the potential to reduce food waste significantly. |
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