8Circular economy hierarchy

8 Circular economy hierarchy

(1) Products and materials should be designed, produced, marketed and delivered, and any waste should be managed, in accordance with the principles set out in subsections (2) and (3).

(2) A circular economy is prioritised, having regard to the entire life cycle of products and materials, including by—

(a) producing and designing products and materials—

(i) with a reduced reliance on raw or virgin materials; and

(ii) to be reusable, durable, repairable and shareable; and

(iii) to have an extended life cycle; and

(iv) in a manner which eliminates waste or pollution; and

(v) in a manner that reduces the environmental impacts of production and consumption by—

(A) making productive use of natural resources and goods; and

(B) maximising the productive use of re-manufactured, reused, recycled and renewable resources; and

(b) promoting initiatives that support repairing and reusing products and materials so as to create more value in them; and

(c) marketing and delivering products and materials in a manner which avoids unnecessary or excessive purchasing or use of other products; and

(d) fostering action or innovation to manage climate change impacts and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

(3) Where waste does arise from the production and use of products and materials, it should be managed in the following order of preference—

(a) waste should be avoided;

(b) waste should be minimised;

(c) waste should be reused;

(d) waste should be recycled;

(e) energy and other resources should be recovered from waste;

(f) waste should be treated so as to reduce the potential impacts of degradation;

(g) waste should be disposed of.