Brighton & Hove Circular Economy Route Map

"When you think about it, it seems completely crazy that the world has been operating in a largely “linear” economy for so long – an economy where raw materials are extracted, processed and used to make a product that is then disposed of at the end of its life. Depleting finite resources, spewing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere and feeding the global economic machine, this paradigm is clearly not sustainable. 

Put simply, a circular economy sources its materials and resources from what is no longer in use. To some extent, these can come from things at the far end of the existing linear model, but true circularity requires systemic shift; designing waste out and reusability, repair, remanufacturing and recycling in from the word go.

Our city has already established itself as a trailblazer in this area and was part of the government’s Circular Economy Taskforce. Brighton & Hove City Council also contributed to the development of England’s first national Circular Economy Strategy – The Circular Economy Growth Plan as a Pathfinder authority.

We are pleased to now be publishing our own Circular Economy Route Map and Action Plan to grow the circular economy here in our city.

Brighton & Hove is internationally known for its creativity and vibrancy. Our unique independent businesses are a defining feature, and this entrepreneurial spirit is at the heart of our new Route Map and Action Plan. 

From designing out waste in products and keeping them in use for longer, to strengthening local supply chains and finding ways to regenerate natural resources, our circular economy plan recognises the city’s massive potential.

We’ve set out a vision that will provide economic opportunities, promote business innovation and develop new skills and jobs, all while building wealth within our communities. This plan will enable us to step up our engagement with the fast-growing digital and tech sectors and strengthen the key partnerships that will help us innovate. Connecting local and national priorities not only reinforces our commitment to a sustainable future but also sets out a blueprint for other councils to follow.

Our Circular Economy Action Plan complements our Council Plan’s commitment for building a fairer, healthier, and more sustainable city for all our residents, to grow a diverse and sustainable economy and work towards net zero.

The necessity for sustainable development and economic resilience has never been more pressing. We have completed the groundwork that will help us take advantage of emerging opportunities to develop a strong, resilient economy with tangible benefits for residents.

I am immensely proud of the collaborative efforts that have gone into shaping this plan. It reflects the dedication and innovation of our communities, universities, businesses, residents and public sector partners. Together, we are making strides towards a circular economy that can work for everyone."

Councillor Tim Rowkins, Deputy Leader of Brighton & Hove City Council and Cabinet Member for Net Zero & Environmental Services.

More information

View our Brighton & Hove Circular Economy Action Plan.

Learn more about the Circular Economy.

Brighton & Hove City will continue to maintain a national leadership role in the development of a circular economy as a core component of inclusive and sustainable economic growth.

By designing systems that retain materials in use, reduce waste and regenerate natural resources, this approach supports long-term competitiveness, drives innovation, attracts investment and delivers high-quality local jobs.

A circular economy will:

• strengthen our city’s economic resilience by reducing dependence on volatile global supply chains
• foster innovation across industries

It will keep wealth circulating in the local economy by reducing dependency on overseas manufacturing as we shift to local remanufacturing, repair, upcycling and designing out waste.

By designing waste out of our systems, rethinking product lifecycles, and prioritising resource efficiency, we will unlock new markets and revenue streams for businesses.

Our vision is a city where businesses, communities, and residents embrace circularity as a core part of daily life, recognising the positive impact a circular model creates. By making this fundamental to the way we do business, we will:

• tackle the climate and biodiversity crisis
• strengthen our economy
• improve social well-being

Innovation will be central to this transition - not only as a means of adopting new technologies and practices, but as the driver of entirely new solutions, business models, and ways of living.

By embedding innovation into the heart of our circular economy approach, Brighton & Hove can deliver measurable environmental and social impact while also generating sustainable economic growth, high-value jobs, and investment opportunities. In doing so, the city will position itself as a national leader in translating circular ambitions into real-world outcomes

Becoming a more circular city will also make a significant contribution towards the local delivery of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Brighton & Hove is uniquely positioned to lead this change. Through bold action, collaboration, and investment, we will build a circular city that is prosperous, sustainable, and inclusive, setting a national benchmark for what’s possible.

Our city’s future is one where economic success and environmental responsibility go hand in hand - creating a model that others will follow.

The Brighton & Hove Economic Plan 2024 to 2027 outlines the economic challenges facing the city. Whilst it is a 3-year plan, it commences a 10-year strategic journey to become a more competitive, productive, fairer and greener city.

Main challenges facing the city

Some of the main challenges facing the city are:

Economic competitiveness

There is a notable scarcity of businesses scaling up compared to other UK cities.

Commercial space constraints

Recent years have seen a decline in retail, office, and industrial floorspace, with much of the existing stock being of poorer quality and low energy efficiency.

Affordability and cost of living

The rising cost of living, coupled with declining real-term wages, exacerbates financial pressures on residents.

Social inequality

Disproportionately low average earnings mean communities often face additional challenges, including limited access to essential services and substandard housing, leading to increased risks of fuel poverty and food insecurity.

Environmental sustainability

There is a pressing need to support businesses in reducing emissions and waste. Additionally, much of the existing commercial infrastructure requires upgrades to meet future sustainability standards.

How the circular economy can address these challenges

The circular economy plays a vital role in underpinning a more sustainable economy and can transform challenges into opportunities, fostering a more resilient and equitable urban environment through: 

Enhancing economic competitiveness

Circular business models such as redesigning, repairing, sharing, remanufacturing, recycling, and recovering not only reduce environmental impact but also unlock significant economic benefits.

By adopting these practices, businesses can:

• lower production costs and energy
• reduce reliance on volatile raw material markets
• cut waste disposal fees

In doing so, they drive innovation, enhance their competitiveness and build greater economic resilience — particularly as consumer and investor demand for sustainability increases.

Unlike linear models, which leave local economies exposed to external shocks, circular approaches help create a more resilient and robust economic system with ‘spin out’ social, educational and well-being benefits.

The ability to differentiate through circular innovation is becoming a clear market advantage.

Optimising commercial spaces

Circular economy approaches encourage the adaptive reuse and repurposing of existing buildings, transforming underutilised properties into vibrant, fit-for-purpose commercial spaces. This helps address the shortage of affordable, quality workspace, particularly for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs) and start-ups, and reduces the need for resource-intensive new builds.

Supporting these efforts can also stimulate local construction and refurbishment industries, creating opportunities for upskilling and green jobs.

Improving affordability

The circular economy can address affordability and cost of living by reducing dependencies on resource-intensive, linear consumption patterns and creating local, low-cost alternatives supported by community-based circular initiatives.

Tool libraries, repair cafés, and sharing schemes help households lower their day-to-day expenses while promoting a culture of resourcefulness and mutual support.

Circular strategies in construction — such as lean and modular design and reuse of building materials — can significantly reduce both construction and maintenance costs, making homes more affordable in the long term, especially as the cost of materials continues to rise. 

Reducing social inequality

Implementing circular economy projects in underserved areas can open up new training, employment, and entrepreneurship opportunities. For example, upcycling workshops, localised remanufacturing, and repair-based enterprises offer accessible entry points into the green economy.

These initiatives not only provide income and skills but also foster stronger, more resilient and cohesive communities by improving access to goods and services through low-cost, circular alternatives.

Advancing environmental sustainability

The circular economy directly contributes to environmental goals by keeping materials in use and circulation, thus reducing the need for virgin resource extraction - the source of half of global greenhouse gas emissions and over 90% of biodiversity loss and water stress (Global Resources Outlook, 2019).

Practices such as urban mining, decentralised recycling, and regenerative local food and materials systems all reduce environmental impact while creating new business opportunities.

As commodity prices rise and regulatory pressure increases, circular solutions become not only environmentally necessary but economically advantageous.

"The circular economy is gaining traction nationally through the Circular Economy Taskforce and the government’s growth plans, signalling a clear shift away from linear economic models.

Brighton & Hove is well placed to turn this policy direction into practical, scalable circular solutions that deliver economic, environmental and social value.”

Dr David Greenfield, Vice President, Circular Economy Institute and Managing Director, Tech-Takeback.

Brighton & Hove City Council is working closely with the city’s fast-growing digital and tech sector, strengthening knowledge and innovation partnerships with both universities, and embedding circular economy principles to build a regenerative economy that supports our transition to net zero.

We're also collaborating with education providers and employers to develop a stronger, more inclusive labour market, ensuring that local people are equipped with the skills needed for a green economy.

The urgency of this transition is clear. The economic impacts of climate change are already being felt. Between 2022 and 2024, rising global temperatures contributed to 60% of the increase in UK food bills, costing households an average of £361 over the 2 years (ECIU, 2024). In addition, rising energy prices (driven by reliance on fossil fuels) added a further £244 to household costs.

These impacts stem from our transport and energy systems, and significantly, from the production, consumption, and disposal of goods and materials. The circular economy provides a powerful framework to address the latter.

A key focus is on Scope 3 emissions, which are those embedded in products and materials. In London, Scope 3 emissions are estimated to be 3 times higher than direct emissions. This is likely true for Brighton & Hove, where industrial activity is limited and car ownership relatively low. Tackling these emissions is essential to achieving our climate goals.

“In order to consign the linear economy to the bin - we need the circular economy to scale up, scale out and scale deep - and only cities can do all three - so it is incredibly important that Brighton and Hove and other global cities are at the forefront of this circular movement.”

Wayne Hubbard, Chief Executive Officer, ReLondon.

Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions

Carbon emissions are categorised into 3 scopes based on the source and control of the emissions.

These categories are defined by the Greenhouse Gas Protocol for cities, a widely recognised framework for accounting and reporting greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

Scope 1

GHG emissions from sources located within the city boundary.

Examples of this include CO2 emitted during the combustion of gas in boilers or the combustion of petrol or diesel in vehicles.

Scope 2

GHG emissions occurring as a consequence of the use of grid-supplied electricity, heat, steam and/or cooling within the city boundary.

Examples of this include carbon dioxide emitted from electricity power plants or from waste-to-energy plants that power some cities’ district heating networks.

Scope 3

All other greenhouse gases emitted outside the city boundary as a result of activities taking place within the city boundary.

Examples of this include greenhouse gases emitted during the growing, rearing and processing of food and manufacturing and transportation of products and materials consumed within the city.

The transition to a circular economy requires participation from the public sector, businesses, academia, residents, and communities.

Public sector

The public sector can drive the transition to a circular economy by setting clear policy direction, creating supportive regulation, and using its assets, procurement power and infrastructure to enable circular practices.

Councils and public bodies can act as convenors, bringing together businesses, academia and communities to collaborate on solutions, while also acting as testbeds for innovation by opening up buildings, land and services for pilot projects.

By embedding circular principles into planning, waste management, procurement and service design, the public sector can create the conditions that help residents and businesses:

• reduce waste
• extend the life of materials
• accelerate the shift to a more regenerative local economy

Businesses

The business sector can accelerate the transition to a circular economy by redesigning products and services to minimise waste, extend product life, and keep materials in use for longer through reuse, repair, remanufacturing and sharing models.

Companies can adopt circular operating practices, such as using recycled materials, reducing packaging, and offering take-back or leasing schemes, and collaborate with local networks, innovation hubs and other businesses to develop new solutions.

By embedding circularity into their strategy, supply chains and customer offerings, businesses can:

• reduce costs
• create new revenue streams
• contribute to a more resilient, low-carbon local economy

Academia

Academia can play a vital role in the transition to a circular economy by generating new research, technologies and design approaches that support circular innovation.

Universities can act as testbeds for real-world experimentation, working with businesses, councils, and communities to trial solutions, evaluate impacts and translate ideas into practical applications.

By embedding circular economy principles into teaching and skills development, academia helps prepare the future workforce. Innovation hubs and collaborative research programmes connect academic expertise with industry needs, accelerating the adoption and scaling of circular practices across the city.

Residents and communities

Residents and communities can support the transition to a circular economy by making everyday choices that reduce waste and keep materials in use for longer. These choices include:

• repairing items
• choosing pre-loved goods
• sharing tools and appliances
• minimising unnecessary consumption

Community groups, repair cafés, sharing libraries, and local food initiatives create spaces where people can learn new skills, access affordable reused goods and connect with others taking practical action.

By supporting local circular businesses, participating in recycling and reuse schemes, and encouraging neighbours to get involved, residents and communities help build a culture of circular living that strengthens the local economy and reduces environmental impact.

Together, these partners create the conditions for Brighton & Hove to shift towards a more resilient, lower-carbon and circular economy, supported by upstream innovation, midstream collaboration, and downstream community action.

This Circular Economy Routemap sets out to drive circular innovation, foster economic growth, enhance resource security and support the city’s journey to net zero.

Through co-delivery of actions in the refreshed Circular Economy Action Plan (2026 to 2035) in Appendix 1, Brighton & Hove City Council will:

1. Maximise council influence to drive circular demand.
2. Build strategic partnerships for greater impact.
3. Create the right conditions for circular business growth.
4. Influence regional and national policy to unlock circular economy opportunities.

1. Maximising council influence to drive circular demand

We'll leverage Brighton & Hove City Council's operations, procurement policies, and regulatory powers to stimulate local demand for circular products and services.

Our approach will involve:

• embedding circular economy requirements in public sector procurement
• commissioning a study to consider planning policy options to support net zero and the circular economy to inform the new City Plan 2041, including potential requirements for embodied carbon
• embedding circular construction principles and piloting innovations (in planning, design, sustainable materials and methods of construction) in council-led developments and highways projects
• delivering food waste prevention actions included in the city-wide Food Strategy (2025 to 2030)
• protecting the city’s main water source, the chalk aquifer, by supporting the adoption of regenerative farming practices and through the delivery of a sustainable drainage implementation plan

2. Building strategic partnerships for greater impact

Utilising Brighton & Hove City Council’s convening power to forge collaborations across public, private, academic, and third sectors will help to:

• unlock external funding and investment
• scale circular initiatives
• amplify the work of local businesses, social enterprises and community organisations

Our approach will involve:

• increasing anchor institutes’ membership of the Good Food Procurement Group to eliminate food waste and improve the provision of healthy, sustainable food across the city
• collaborating with the South East England Hub 4 Circularity (SEEH4C), on reducing carbon-intensive waste streams like construction waste, water, and food for industrial symbiosis
• collaborating with the University of Brighton Southeast Remanufacturing Catalyst (CaRE) to support businesses in the South East region to accelerate net zero and circular economy ambitions through incorporating remanufacturing and value retention processes
• working with communities to develop and promote circular living initiatives such as the Climate for Communities project led by Trust for Developing Communities with funding from the National Lottery Climate Action Fund (2025 to 2028)

3. Creating the right conditions for circular business growth

Circular businesses face several specific market barriers that hinder growth and scalability, including access to finance, regulatory frameworks built around linear models and inconsistent consumer awareness and demand.

Business support plays a critical role by de-risking investment through grants or blended finance, providing tailored advice and mentoring and facilitating access to networks.

We'll work with business incubators, accelerators, and enterprise support organisations to equip local businesses with the skills, knowledge, and resources needed to thrive and build capacity. 

Our approach will involve:

• exploring collaborative research and development (R&D) funding and investment opportunities to accelerate circular growth
• raising the profile of the circular economy within the local green skills agenda
• facilitating industrial symbiosis initiatives where businesses exchange by-products and waste materials as valuable inputs
• working with partners to strengthen the local circular business support offer, drawing on insights from our baseline assessment and best practices to address barriers to circular adoption

4. Influencing regional and national policy to unlock circular opportunities

Brighton & Hove will play an active role in shaping the regional and national policy landscape to support the transition to a circular economy. We will leverage devolution to grow the circular economy.

Our approach will involve working with members of the Sussex & Brighton County Combined Authority to encourage the development of a regional Circular Economy Strategy, informed by leading circular economy advisers. This is aimed at:

• decoupling economic growth and material consumption
• aligning with the English Circular Economy Growth Plan
• facilitating supply chain networking and collaboration to simulate and optimise circular and regenerative regional supply chains at scale

We will engage with national and international circular economy experts to identify policy improvements at local, regional, and national levels, ensuring that the policy landscape maximises the benefits of circular economy transitions for Brighton & Hove.

We will drive policy and investment in circular skills and jobs, and advocate for policies and investments that expand workforce training, support job creation and develop skills for emerging circular industries.

We will support the expansion of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) schemes to reduce waste at the source.

By embedding these circular economy principles into policy, planning, procurement, business support, and community initiatives, Brighton & Hove will build a more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable local economy.

This transition will create green jobs, reduce environmental impact, and keep resources circulating locally, ensuring the city remains at the forefront of the circular economy movement in the UK.

Brighton & Hove City Council is committed to transitioning towards a circular economy by embedding circular principles across its operations, engaging with businesses and communities, and influencing policy at regional and national levels.

To develop a robust sectoral action plan, we've consulted widely with stakeholders across key sectors (including the built environment, food, and textiles) to identify opportunities, challenges, and priority actions.

You can find these priority actions in the refreshed Circular Economy Action Plan in Appendix 1. The action plan will be updated regularly based on progress made and the needs of local businesses.

Our approach is informed by a Theory of Change framework, ensuring that interventions are evidence-based, collaborative, and strategically targeted.

This process will be underpinned by a baseline assessment to be carried out in 2026, which will:

• map local businesses transitioning to circular models and documents key innovations
• assess sector-specific circular economy practices to understand current waste levels, resource use, and business engagement
• capture community-led circular initiatives contributing to local sustainability and economic resilience
• identify gaps in business support, highlighting the greatest inefficiencies and opportunities
• provide data-driven recommendations to guide policy development, collaboration, and business support services

To keep Brighton & Hove City Council and its partners accountable and to encourage continual improvement, we'll monitor progress on the 4 council commitments through the following performance indicators:

• the percentage of actions contained within the refreshed Circular Economy Action Plan (Appendix 1) delivered on time and to plan
• the number of circular economy projects/initiatives with local private, community and voluntary sector partners having bid for and successfully attracted external funding, and the total value (£) of investment where available
• the number of circular economy enterprises and community-led initiatives that have received investment, funding or support-in-kind from the council, investors or its partners, and the total value (£) of investment where available
• the number of circular innovation initiatives (such as startups, spinouts, pilots) supported through city partnerships (including those developing, testing and validating new solutions) and evidence of their progression (such as pilots completed, products launched, investment raised, or jobs created)
• the number and percentage of circular economy enterprises and community-led initiatives that have reported positive benefits from participating in newly established local or regional circular economy forums/partnerships
• the number of traditional SMEs that have taken up business support offers that promote and facilitate the adoption of circular economy practices
• the development of a regional Circular Economy Strategy, informed by leading circular economy advisors, aimed at decoupling economic growth and material consumption, aligned with the national Circular Economy Strategy

Tracking progress on circular economy goals is challenging, as many indicators don’t capture real outcomes, and data is often lacking. Closing this gap requires coordinated action across councils, government, academia and business, through clear standards, robust reporting, better data systems, and open sharing. 

The development of business reporting frameworks, such as the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRS) support the shift to a circular economy. Introduced in 2024, these standards create a consistent approach to measuring circular economy performance and ensure transparent, comparable reporting across all businesses.

Brighton & Hove is already working to narrow these gaps. We're partnering with local universities on baseline assessments to track progress, such as business engagement, local circular innovations, and community-led initiatives.

Through the UK Circular Cities network, we share best practices on local data collection and continue to seek funding and partnerships to strengthen monitoring, reporting, and innovation in this area.

“Brighton & Hove was one of the first cities to commit to a Circular Economy Route Map back in 2019, and since then it has been an inspiration to other cities and towns, not just across the UK, but Europe as well. This further commitment to turning our ‘take, make, and throw away’ systems into sustainable closed loop & circular economies will enable the citizens of Brighton to begin to co-exist in harmony with the natural world that surrounds us.”

Duncan Baker Brown, ARB, RIBA Architect, Academic, Author and Climate Activist.

In 2018, Brighton & Hove was among the first in the UK to declare a climate and biodiversity emergency, setting the stage for bold climate action. As part of its response, Brighton & Hove City Council adopted the first iteration of the Circular Economy Routemap and Action Plan (2020 to 2035). Since then, emissions have fallen by 23% between 2018 and 2023 (DESNZ local authority GHG statistics).

This Circular Economy Routemap and Action Plan, along with Brighton & Hove City Council’s Net Zero Programme targeting energy decarbonisation, will support further citywide emissions reductions.

Brighton & Hove City Council has played a direct role in advancing circularity through policy and procurement. Between 2020 and 2025, Brighton & Hove has made significant strides in embedding circular economy principles into its policies, economy, and community initiatives.

By embedding circular principles into planning and infrastructure projects, it has encouraged the use of secondary materials in construction.

As the developer of new council housing and other major regeneration projects, Brighton & Hove City Council is leading the way in specifying circular construction design, materials and methods of construction. For example, all major projects must have a Circular Economy Opportunities Assessment carried out at the start. From 2026, Brighton & Hove City Council's regeneration service will monitor and report the share of reused and reusable materials in new major projects.

As an owner of agricultural land, Brighton & Hove City Council is working closely with its tenant farmers to produce farm plans and update lease agreements to drive the adoption of circular, regenerative farming practices at the city’s edge. This has benefits for consumers, nature and the local chalk aquifer – the city’s main supply of clean water.

As a large public sector buyer, Brighton & Hove City Council has put in place new measures to:

• increase the specification of circular economy goods, works and services
• engage existing suppliers around opportunities to strengthen their circular economy knowledge and credentials

These measures include:

• an updated Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Policy
• a new Specification-writing Tool for Environmental Procurement (STEP)
• delivery of an internal Circular Economy Specification-writing Masterclass with a focus on the built environment

As the waste collection and disposal authority, Brighton & Hove City Council announced a major expansion of its recycling provision with new materials being added to collections in 2025, including food waste.

Brighton & Hove City Council have supported many initiatives to stimulate circular growth. These include:

• business grants through the Shared Prosperity Fund
• meantime lease for circular businesses
• access to circular business support and grant information through the Business & Intellectual Property Centre (BIPC)

Brighton & Hove has fostered strong partnerships to drive circular innovation. Collaboration between the council, universities, and business networks, such as Circular Brighton & Hove and Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce, has helped accelerate circular solutions across multiple sectors.

The city’s innovation hubs, including Plus X Innovation and Sussex Innovation Hub, have supported start-ups in developing circular products and business models. The University of Brighton has connected green enterprises with academic expertise. Plus X Innovation run a Circular City Exchange, which provides a platform to convene businesses, academia, and communities around circular innovation projects. By championing initiatives like this, Brighton & Hove City Council can attract external funding and accelerate the scaling of successful circular innovations.

The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere partners have led high-profile nature restoration projects such as Changing Chalk. From 2026, Sussex Nature Recovery will strengthen and focus on local biodiversity protection and restoration measures.

Through communications and engagement with households, businesses and communities, Brighton & Hove City Council and its partners have worked in close collaboration to increase local demand for circular economy goods and services.

Between 2021 and 2023, Brighton & Hove City Council, its suppliers and local charities delivered a series of behaviour change initiatives under the EU Interreg-funded BLUEPRINT to a Circular Economy project engaging residents in circular workshops provided by over 15 local circular businesses.

In 2023 to 2024, a business-facing communications campaign on LinkedIn and Instagram, Brighton & Hove Loop, reached more than 40,000 accounts in the first 5 months, gained 1,305 followers, and had a consistently high engagement rate, providing a valuable platform to promote circular business practices and highlight the work of local circular economy entrepreneurs.

The flagship Our City Our World environmental education programme, delivered in primary and secondary schools with funding from The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere, continues to educate entire school communities on the environmental and financial benefits of circular living. This programme provides information about circular businesses and services on our doorstep, and empowers action from the city’s youth.

At a grassroots level, Brighton & Hove has a thriving network of community-led circular initiatives, including:

• the South East England Hub 4 Circularity
• The Wood Store
• Brighton Repair Café
• Smarter Uniforms
• Brighton Bike Hub
• The University of Brighton Wild/Waste House
• The Green Centre

These groups empower residents to embrace reuse, repair, and sharing, fostering a city-wide culture of sustainability.

The city’s businesses are also stepping up, with many adopting circular business models and participating in initiatives like Net Zero Champions, a Brighton Chamber programme helping local enterprises integrate circular strategies.

A fuller summary of achievements can be found in the 2025 Circular Economy Action Plan progress report.

"Second-hand fashion is becoming an increasingly mainstream choice, particularly among younger generations, however fast-fashion consumption continues to outpace even the strong growth of the second-hand sector, so this is not a moment for complacency. What is needed is a greater number of curated, high-quality circular economy retail spaces in prime locations offering the same level of service and choice that consumers expect from leading high-street retailers."

Wayne Hemingway, Designer.

A move to the circular economy must involve stakeholders across the city, including academics, innovators, businesses, institutions, communities and residents.

In Brighton & Hove, there are several circular solutions already in action. To find inspiration for a new business idea or a potential circular collaboration, visit the BLUEPRINT website.

Case studies promoted through the Brighton Loop Instagram help bring opportunities to life and show the exciting work happening in the city. such as:

• get rid of your old electrics from the comfort of your home
• MarinaTex
• Beryl, a bike and scooter sharing scheme in UK towns and cities
• community composting with the Brighton and Hove Food Partnership

For other case studies and sources of inspiration:

• read business case studies from the Ellen MacArthur Foundation
• read circular champions case studies from ReLondon
• visit the Circular Economy Institute

Delivering the Circular Economy Routemap objectives

Objective 1: Maximise council influence to drive circular demand.

Outcome 2: Build strategic partnerships for greater impact.

Objective 3: Create the right conditions for circular business growth.

Outcome 4: Influence regional and national policy to unlock circular economy opportunities.

Routemap to a Circular Economy

2022 to 2024

Undertake a whole life carbon and circular economy opportunities assessment of all Brighton & Hove City Council housing construction and major projects.

2024 to 2026

Build new knowledge partnerships between academia, the public and private sector bodies.

Continue to support SME adoption of circular solutions through expert advice, digital resources and events.

Work with communities to develop and promote circular living initiatives which also improve social, environmental and economic well-being.

2026 to 2028

Establish a circular economy event showcasing local circular economy solutions.

Embed circular economy principles in the new City Plan with policies that identify the Circular Economy factors required to be incorporated in development proposals.

2028 to 2030

Explore funding and development opportunities to create additional circular economy hubs.

2030 onwards

Reduce household and commercial food waste by delivering food waste prevention actions in the city-wide Food Strategy (2025 to 2030).

Pilot reclamation audits and deconstruction of existing buildings for new build council housing projects using reclaimed materials on site whenever possible.

See Brighton & Hove Circular Economy Action Plan.

Public sector bodies

UK Government

The UK Government has a legislative leadership role, introducing policies that promote reducing, reusing, repairing, and recycling.

Examples of recent policy innovations include a Deposit Return Scheme for beverage containers and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging.

Brighton & Hove City Council

Leads and develops policies that support the circular economy.

Participates in national and international networks such as ReLondon’s Circular Cities Network and the Ellen MacArthur Foundation’s Circular Cities Standup, to:

• learn from and share best practices
• deliver circular projects
• maximise public resources to support local businesses and residents in adopting circular practices

Brighton & Hove City Council, as an asset owner, can support innovation by identifying opportunities to act as a testbed using its assets.

University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust

Participates in the Circular Economy Healthcare Alliance to reduce consumption, waste and carbon emissions.

The Living Coast UNESCO Biosphere

Supports circular, regenerative initiatives across the urban, rural, and marine environment.

Circular business models and initiatives

Bus services, Brighton & Hove’s Bikeshare Scheme and Electric Brighton

Encourages shared mobility and reduces the need for private vehicle ownership.

Recorra and Compost Club

Closed-loop recycling services that supply customers with products created from their own waste, such as office supplies and compost.

Harriet’s of Hove, Hunglish, Infinity Foods and Kindly

Reducing packaging waste through dry food refill stations.

Tech-Takeback

Offers collection, data erasing and repurposing of end-of-life household and SME tech for social good.

Business networks and innovation hubs

Brighton & Hove Chamber of Commerce

Supports circular business models through initiatives, including Net Zero Champions.

Plus X Innovation Hub

Supports and hosts start-ups like MarinaTex, Natural Negative, Batch.Works, and Samudra Oceans, which develop circular solutions.

Sussex Innovation Hub

Connects university research with businesses to commercialise circular economy solutions.

Clean Growth Innovation Hub at the University of Brighton

Accelerates the translation of leading academic research into beneficial real-world outcomes.

B Corp business network

Business network of certified B Corp businesses in Sussex, sharing best practices and creating collaborative opportunities to enable the adoption of circular and other sustainable business practices.

EU Horizon 2024-funded South East England Hub 4 Circularity

A collaborative project led by Tech-Takeback, facilitating the exchange of end-of-life materials across the region.

Co-working spaces

The wide range of Brighton & Hove co-working spaces supports start-ups, including those focused on circular business models.

Universities and research institutions

University of Brighton

Leads research and innovation in sustainable design, including the Brighton Wild/Waste House. Embeds sustainability into the curriculum and delivers circular economy initiatives on campus. 

Supports stakeholders with its Clean Growth Innovation Hub, which delivers collaborative research, innovation and skills training to drive the adoption of the circular economy across the city.

University of Sussex

Leads research and innovation on materials science. Embeds sustainability into the curriculum and delivers circular economy initiatives on campus.

Community and third sector organisations

Brighton & Hove Food Partnership, The Real Junk Food Project, Sussex Surplus and other members of the city’s Surplus Food Network

Addresses food waste and food insecurity by redistributing and utilising surplus food.

Fork and Dig it

A regenerative farming project supporting nature restoration and food production.

Brighton Repair Café, Sew Fabulous, and Brighton Bike Hub

Upskills residents, so they can save money and extend the lifetime of products through repair.

Charity shops, RevaluElectricals, Freegle, Smarter Uniforms, and Brighton Wood Store

Promotes reuse and redistribution of products.

The Green Centre and Shabitat (Magpie Recycling Co-Operative)

Shares information on local recycling and provides supplementary recycling services.

Brighton Borrowers and Brighton Community Workshop

Supports asset sharing to avoid costly purchases of less frequently used items.

Circular Brighton & Hove

Part of the global network of the Circular Economy Institute.

ARUP, 2024. Circular Buildings Toolkit Case Studies [Online].

Brighton & Hove Council, 2024. Brighton & Hove Economic Plan 2024 to 2027 [Online].

Brighton & Hove Council, 2024. Visitor Economy Strategy for Growth 2024 to 2034 [Online].

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