More than 450,000 jobs could be created in reusing and repairing household goods, according to environmental think tank the Green Alliance.
If consumers prioritise reusing goods rather than throwing them away, “circular economy” jobs could emerge in both repairing complex electronic goods and supporting recycling efforts, the Alliance said.
Skills and jobs agenda
Queen’s Speech: ‘flexible loans’ for skills development to be launched
Green revolution poses threat to jobs in least prosperous regions
Its report, Levelling up through circular economy jobs, claims that “too much value is lost through destruction and disposal”, and that a greater focus from policy makers into boosting recycling and repair could create hundreds of thousands of jobs by 2035.
It adds that thousands of these roles could be created in areas that are currently impacted by high unemployment, such as the North East. There would also be a requirement for more administrative jobs such as administrators and purchasing managers.
The Green Alliance has called on the government to set up a £400 million circular economy starter fund, and to unlock investment in circular economy businesses through its UK Infrastructure Bank.
In addition, it called for support for workers transitioning into circular economy roles with retraining programmes and work coaches. It recommended strategic funding for universities to market and run new courses linked to the circular economy.
Potential roles in the circular economy could be: repairer, recycling operative, biorefining (extracting materials from biowaste or converting waste into energy), second hand retail, rental of products and “circular procurement” (keeping products in use for as long as possible to maximise their value).
However, if the UK makes little progress in promoting the circular economy, the Green Alliance estimates that only around 40,000 jobs would be created by 2035, focusing on recycling and repair.
Zoe Avison, a policy analyst at Green Alliance, said: “A big programme to avoid unnecessary waste and reclaim the value of materials would not only help consumers but create jobs in communities across the country.
“This is a great opportunity for the chancellor to show his commitment to expanding innovation, and for the government to show the meaning of levelling up.”
Sign up to our weekly round-up of HR news and guidance
Receive the Personnel Today Direct e-newsletter every Wednesday
In May, the CBI predicted that 240,000 green jobs could be created if businesses reskill workers to support a low-carbon economy.
Change management opportunities on Personnel Today
Browse more Change management jobs
