Following an inquiry, a new report published by the Associate Parliamentary Sustainable Resource Group warns that a lack of quality in the waste supply chain is limiting the UK's export options and potentially holding back investment in domestic infrastructure.
Improved quality, the report claims, will develop economic opportunities both at home and abroad, providing jobs to the UK economy and boosting the balance of payments.
It features more than 20 recommendations to central government and industry on how to build the most economically and environmentally robust system for waste and materials treatment, at home and abroad.
Speaking ahead of the publication of the report, inquiry chair Caroline Spelman MP said despite improvements in waste management, important reforms and improvements are still needed.
"We hope that adoption of these recommendations will result in a more streamlined and robust management of our resources, and provide further steps towards the development of a truly resource efficient economy," she said.
Proposals include export of recyclate, identifying opportunities for co-location and heat use in relation to energy from waste, and more collaboration between the waste industry and the Environment Agency.
