Uk could create over 5,000 jobs by ending plastic waste exports and building domestic recycling infrastructure

A new report reveals that the United Kingdom could generate 5,400 jobs and strengthen its economy by closing a regulatory loophole that currently makes it cheaper to export plastic waste than to recycle it domestically. The research suggests that by ending this practice by 2030, the UK would not only take greater responsibility for its environmental impact but also unlock significant economic opportunities.

According to the findings, stopping plastic waste exports could lead to the construction of up to 15 new recycling facilities across the country before the decade’s end. This expansion would attract more than £800 million in private investment, demonstrating strong market confidence in domestic recycling capabilities. The enhanced recycling infrastructure would create substantial long-term value, generating approximately £900 million in economic benefits annually while contributing at least £100 million in new tax revenues each year.

Environmental campaigners supporting the report argue that closing the export loophole would provide a crucial boost to the UK’s circular economy – an economic model focused on eliminating waste through reuse and recycling. Currently, the regulatory gap allows companies to ship plastic waste overseas rather than invest in domestic processing, often shifting environmental burdens to other countries with potentially weaker waste management systems.

The research underscores how environmental responsibility and economic growth can align, suggesting that keeping plastic waste within UK borders would create a win-win scenario: reducing the country’s environmental footprint abroad while building a robust domestic recycling sector that provides stable employment and generates significant revenue for both businesses and the government.