Earlier this week, I was privileged to be invited to travel to Manchester to join an event to mark the official launch of Circularity in Practice. This is a nationwide initiative aimed at helping UK businesses embed tangible circular economy practices into their day-to-day operations.
Tucked away amidst a vast expanse of warehouses and business units in Trafford Park, to the west of Old Trafford, I entered the Renew Hub, which is theUK’s largest reuse and repair facility, operated by SUEZ on behalf of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority.
Circularity in Practice is more than just another sustainability pledge. It’s very much a cross‑sector movement designed to accelerate the shift away from the traditional linear “take‑make‑dispose” model. Its mission focuses firmly on reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling, encouraging businesses to see waste not as an endpoint but as a valuable resource with further potential.
Supporters of Circularity in Practice include Tata Steel UK, SUEZ, and the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC). Circularity in Practice has an emphasis on collaboration and education, There is a call for architects, community groups, contractors, designers, developers, manufacturers and waste managers to work together, sharing best practice and building commercially viable circular models.
Monday’s launch event showcased what a circular economy looks like when implemented at scale. Since 2021, the Renew Hub has sold nearly half a million reused items, generating £1.6 million for charity. It’s a clear demonstration of how circular design principles can deliver environmental, social, and economic value simultaneously.
We were honoured with a visit from probably the most well-known champion of environmental stewardship, King Charles and also Chamber “royalty” in the form of Shevaun Haviland, Director General of the British Chambers of Commerce. Shevaun urged more businesses to play a role in driving the circular economy.
As King Charles toured the facility, he visited a number of repair and refurbishment stands, each dedicated to giving products, from furniture to electrical goods, a second life.
We reflected on the fact that sustainability is no longer an aspiration but a business imperative. This is an important moment for the UK, where interest in sustainable procurement, decarbonisation, and waste reduction continues to grow.
Many organisations still struggle with implementing circular solutions and this initiative aims to bridge the gap by highlighting approaches that already work, with proven methods companies can adopt.
Businesses are encouraged to rethink not just how they dispose of materials but how they design, source, and maintain them throughout their lifecycle. It offers a powerful blueprint for how organisations across the UK can build a more resilient, resource efficient future.
Don’t forget that that Staffordshire Chambers’ of Commerce is playing its part in embracing the circular economy, through our Re-boot IT initiative, in which unwanted ICT assets (laptops, mobile phones, tablets) can be donated and offered to local members of our community who are living in digital poverty.
Working in partnership with award winning and tireless tech circular economy supporter TMT First, we are offering the chance for unwanted devices to be securely wiped and offered to local residents who are struggling to access an online world.
The initiative has also been extended to Potteries Educational Trust, with T-Level students gaining the skills and knowledge to securely wipe the devices, building learning in the circular economy. If you have any unwanted tech devices to donate or would like to learn more about Reboot IT, please open the link:
Reboot IT For All – Bridging the Digital Divide for a Connected Community
