The CE model offers a sustainable alternative to the traditional linear economy by focusing on reducing waste and keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible while regenerating natural systems (Ellen McArthur Foundation). This requires a fundamental shift from the ‘take, make, dispose’ model to a more sustainable system where materials are reused, repaired, refurbished, and remanufactured. The approach not only addresses environmental concerns but also supports sustainable economic growth by reducing reliance on imports and optimising resource productivity.

Roadmaps provide a strategic framework to guide stakeholders in implementing circular economy (CE) principles, helping to ensure that the transition to a low-carbon future is both environmentally sustainable and economically resilient.

Much attention has been given to lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) for use in electric vehicles (EVs) because of the importance of the car manufacturing industry to the UK. The battery is the most obvious and largest new component in an EV, with key raw materials, notably lithium and cobalt designated as critical minerals (see below). If materials from overseas are at risk, trying to make better use of the materials we already have in circulation is an obvious strategy.

A circular economy is particularly crucial for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), given their pivotal role in powering electronic devices, electric vehicles (EVs), and energy storage systems. LIBs contain several critical metals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, and manganese, which are essential for their functionality but also pose significant supply security, environmental, and geopolitical challenges. The UK’s commitment to phasing out combustion engine vehicle sales by 2030 or 2035 further underscores the importance of LIBs in meeting national net-zero targets.