The UK is one of the most nature depleted counties in the world (1). It is thought that nearly half of all biodiversity has been lost in the country since the industrial revolution and continuation of this trend could lead to an irreversible ecological crisis. In fact, the UK is ranked in the bottom 10% globally and the worst among the G7 nations for biodiversity loss. It can be argued that biodiversity should be an important consideration for all businesses globally and a key feature of the waste and resources sector. 50% of world GDP relies on biodiversity. By 2030, nature loss could cost 2.3% of global GDP. This equates to approximately £2.1 trillion annually on a global scale (2).

To reverse this trend, urgent transformative change is required, and businesses will need to form part of this process. A transformative change on this scale cannot simply be achieved by using resources more efficiently. Total material consumption needs to be reduced globally, using a more circular economy approach; valuing waste and keeping it in use for as long as possible. In view of this, and taking into consideration current population trends, and unsustainable consumption patterns, the waste and resources sector has a significant role to play in preventing further biodiversity loss (1).

There are five main causes of biodiversity loss including, changes in land and sea use (habitat loss), direct exploitation of the natural environment (raw material extraction), climate change, pollution and invasive species. All of these causes are relevant to the waste management industry from facilities development (land use) through to potential pollution of air, water and soil if poor waste management practices are used. According to best practice guidance, there are three ways in which the waste and resources sector as a whole can help to combat biodiversity loss.

1. Promotion of the cirular economy

The UK uses around 1.2 billion tonnes of materials every year. Globally around 90% of biodiversity loss can be attributed to the extraction of raw materials required to make the products that we use (3). In recent times, promoting the circular economy has widely been acknowledged as an essential component of waste and resources management in both businesses and local authorities. Many organisations and councils across the UK are working toward zero waste or low waste approaches to their operations. A circular approach closes the loop between extraction of the raw material, manufacture and disposal. The emphasis is on design whereby products/services are developed in a way that keeps items in use for as long as possible. Waste prevention, repair, reuse and high volume and quality recycling strategies reduce the burden on the natural environment for virgin materials. This ultimately reduces habitat loss as less raw materials are required.

2. Mitigating direct biodiversity impacts

Direct impacts of the resource and waste industry can be mitigated by going beyond compliance, utilising best practice guidance and focusing on environmentally positive outputs. Many organisations and local authorities are currently doing this via methods such as decarbonising fleets. Although this may be part of a wider net zero plan, mitigating climate change can also have positive influences on biodiversity by reducing the impacts of climate change such as rising temperatures, extreme weather events and ocean acidification. Additional actions that can be taken include land restoration i.e. for landfill sites, carbon capture and storage, rewilding, tree planting and habitat creation. Some of these activities may be carried out via Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) as part of the wider implementation of waste management facilities development (infrastructure). This wider picture approach facilitates the assessment of the long term vision for increasing biodiversity, in line with the 25 year environmental plan (4) and Local Nature Recovery Strategies as set out in the Environment Act 2021. Understanding critical sites of biological importance in specific geographical areas, and reporting on where nature recovery has taken place can all help with developing low impact waste strategies.

3. Mitigating indirect biodiversity impacts

Mitigating the indirect impacts on biodiversity is also an important factor for the sector’s contribution. In the context of indirect impacts, the industry needs to assess its supply chain. Addressing the supply chain can aid the understanding of local and global impacts and it facilitates the selection of nature positive procurement practices. This can also help with decision making processes on material consumption and disposal and positive actions can be made at each stage. Optimising the supply chain and ensuring visibility can also help to reduce waste and encourage traceability so that impacts can be seen, mitigated and positive choices can be made with increased information.

Unfortunately one of the key issues with measuring impact on biodiversity is that there is no single metric for evaluating biodiversity performance, particularly one that is sector specific. Although it can be argued that key actions do have an impact and there are measurements in place i.e. for Net Zero, a clear metric is still just a hope for the future for transparency in biodiversity reporting. The current drive towards a circular economy in the UK and incentivisation of the use of recycled materials over raw across the value chain, is another step for the sector towards having a significant impact on the improvement of biodiversity. In addition, numerous actions are being taken in the sector including carbon reduction measures, habitat restoration, waste prevention and increasing recycling capacity. Although these may not be explicitly linked to biodiversity, these measures are helping to combat biodiversity loss and this should be measured and promoted as a key sustainability measure. Working towards being a nature positive organisation can help contributors to gain a competitive advantage, it can increase the financial and environmental value of assets, it can secure production and supply chain efficiencies, improve resilience and enhance overall reputation. Improving biodiversity should now be a key consideration for the waste and resources sector, as one that can have a positive impact in improving so many different factors that have contributed to biodiversity loss.

Frith Resource Management provide technical services to clients on good practice and implementation of environmental strategies in the waste and resources sector. For more information see www.frithrm.com, or email info@frithrm.com or call 01746 552423

1. https://committees.parliament.uk/publications/6498/documents/70656/default/
2. https://www.worldbank.org/en/news/immersive-story/2022/12/07/securing-our-future-through-biodiversity
3. https://environmentjournal.online/energy/material-extraction-is-responsible-for-90-of-global-biodiveristy-loss/#:~:text=The%20extraction%20and%20production%20of%20materials%20contribute%20to,published%20by%20the%20United%20Nations%20Environment%20Programme%20%28UNEP%29.
4. https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/693158/25-year-environment-plan.pdf