To support the development of the Welsh Government’s Circular Economy Strategy; Beyond Recycling[1], Miller Research were appointed in February 2020 to facilitate four pan-Wales consultation events and to produce an evaluative summary report of both the events and the online consultation.

The proposed strategy offers the opportunity to deliver against the Welsh Government’s strategic agenda, set for zero waste and net zero carbon emissions by 2050. Following the declaration of a climate emergency, and with the recognition that 45% of emissions come from goods and products, the Welsh Government views a circular economy – defined as where waste is avoided and resources are kept in use for as long as possible – as a means to achieve the above agenda.

The purpose of the consultation was to encourage an active dialogue and seek the ideas of a broad spectrum of stakeholders, both physically and online, on how to make a low carbon, zero waste Wales that uses a fair share of resources and seizes economic opportunities from a circular economy.

Our role was to facilitate discussion at the four events and capture headline feedback from both the events and the over 200 online responses to deliver an accessible and informative summary support. The report will be utilised to inform the Welsh Government’s future policy (due end of 2020) to ensure its legitimacy, transparency and efficiency.

[1] https://gov.wales/sites/default/files/consultations/2019-12/consultation-circular-economy-strategy.pdf