Retailers are struggling with the high costs and policies associated with sustainability. Credit: rSnapshotPhotos via Shutterstock.

New data from sustainable waste management company Biffa reveals that more than half (51%) of business decision-makers in the UK retail industry recognise their role in the circular economy.

The survey of 1,000 UK business decision-makers (of whom 84 were from the retail industry) reveals that almost two-thirds (63%) of retail businesses surveyed have an established sustainability strategy, with larger businesses being the most committed.

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Key metrics for measuring sustainability efforts for surveyed retail businesses include a reduction in general waste (58%), increased recycling volume (47%) and a reduction in carbon emissions (43%).

Nine in 10 (88%) retail business decision-makers surveyed believed that waste management and recycling are important in preventing climate change.

However, retailers are struggling with the high costs and policies associated with sustainability.

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Barriers to sustainability for UK retailers

While most retail businesses surveyed are aware of sustainability and committed to it, 63% of decision-makers in this sector consider sustainability to be their least important priority. This is compared to cost efficiency (92%), revenue growth and brand strength (88%), and data and reporting (82%).

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Small retailers are more focused on sustainability to capture a loyal customer base, and are adopting metrics on recycling volume and reduction of general waste.

Evidence indicates that the primary barriers hindering the retail businesses surveyed include sustainability cost (48%), competing business priorities (30%) and lack of infrastructure (29%).

Retail businesses surveyed identified the need for support for financial incentives (42%), clearer legislation (36%), incentivised partnerships (25%) and reduced regulation (26%).

Biffa waste strategy and packaging manager Roger Wright commented: “The retail industry is calling for collaboration between industry partners and suppliers, through incentivised partnerships and education.”