The impact of UK reuse charities must be supported to help achieve the UK’s circular economy goals, according to a report released by Reuse Network.
Reuse Network says it is attempting to clear the barriers currently prohibiting the reuse sector from operating at full potential and supporting the UK government’s circular economy goals.
The charity argues that without policy reform and investment, the sector will struggle to continue delivering environmental and social benefits.
The Reuse Network’s Reuse Roadmap sets out five points that it is asking the UK Government to consider when developing its new Circular Economy Strategy.
These include:
– breaking the link between waste and reuse by managing resources;
– removing regulatory burdens obstructing reuse;
– upgrading to new recruits to manage large item waste;
– supporting the existing reuse sector;
– and recognising and valuing the social benefits and public savings created through reuse.
Commenting on the roadmap, Craig Anderson, CEO of Reuse Network, said: “For decades, reuse charities have stepped in where policy has fallen short, ensuring that essential household goods remain accessible to those who need them most.
“Yet, despite our environmental, social, and economic contributions, the value of the reuse sector has never been fully recognised or supported.
“The UK Government must act now to remove restrictive policies and champion reuse in order to unlock its full potential in driving the circular economy forward. The time for recognition and action is long overdue.”
Northumbria University secures £250,000 in research funding to enhance sustainability in the construction industry through AI technologies.
The project will develop “AI-driven decision-support systems” to help construction managers identify waste generation points, implement effective handling strategies, and assess project sustainability.
Northumbria University said the systems will measure waste handling efficiency, resource utilisation, and adherence to sustainable practices.
The £250,000 of research funding was secured in the latest Horizon MSCA call from the European Commission,
The project, led by Dr Pablo Martinez Rodriguez from the Department of Architecture and Built Environment at Northumbria, aims to improve waste recycling efficiency, reduce landfill dependency, and promote circular economy principles across the globe.
Commenting on the project, Dr Martinez said: “Sustainable construction is essential for addressing global environmental challenges.
“Our research harnesses AI to precisely track waste generation, optimise resource usage, and provide construction managers with real-time, data-driven insights to enhance waste management efficiency.”
By promoting circular economy principles, we aim to catalyse a global shift toward sustainable construction practices.
The research will also aim to establish best practices, industry guidelines, and policy frameworks to facilitate the adoption of sustainable construction methods.
The University said it will focus on materials reuse and designing buildings for disassembly and reassembly to align with UN Sustainable Development Goal 12 – Responsible Consumption and Production.
This latest project follows existing research by Dr Martinez Rodriguez and Dr Osama Mohsen from King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals in Saudi Arabia into how AI can tackle construction waste in the UK and Saudi.
Dr Martinez added: “By promoting circular economy principles, we aim to catalyse a global shift toward sustainable construction practices.
“This research will not only benefit the UK and EU but also set a benchmark for responsible construction worldwide.”
Northumbria University was recently awarded £9 million by UK Research and Innovation to establish a Centre for Doctoral Training in the field of AI.
Known as the Citizen-Centred AI (CCAI), it focuses on the inclusion of citizens in the design and evaluation of AI.
Novelis Inc. says it has reduced CO2e emissions produced by the aluminium recycling furnace at its UK plant in Warrington by up to 90% by replacing natural gas with hydrogen fuel.
The recent trial found using hydrogen instead of the same amount of natural gas when operating a melting furnace can reduce CO2e emissions by up to 90%.
The aluminium recycler Novelis Inc. installed new burners, regenerators, and furnace lining material as part of the tests at its plant in Latchford, Warrington, which are part of a UK government decarbonisation programme.
The demonstration project at Novelis Latchford is part of the UK government’s Industrial Fuel Switching Competition programme.
Supported with a grant of £4.6 million, as part of the £1 billion Net Zero Innovation Portfolio and the wider regional HyNet project, the programme aims to support industry to decarbonise their operations through a switch from natural gas to low carbon hydrogen.
We are transforming the Latchford site into a prototype for high-recycled content and decarbonised aluminium production.
Commenting on the trial, Emilio Braghi, Executive Vice President, Novelis Inc., and President, Novelis Europe, said: “With the significant expansion of our local recycling capacity, we are transforming the Latchford site into a prototype for high-recycled content and decarbonised aluminium production.”
Novelis said it conducted several series of tests, which involved blending different percentages of hydrogen with natural gas (30%-100%) to evaluate the impact on existing infrastructure and equipment compatibility.
During the trial campaign, several hundred tonnes of 3000 series scrap aluminium alloy were remelted and cast into sheet ingots, Novelis said.
Novelis now plans to complete further downstream processing, including rolling and finishing, at its other plants in Europe to establish the “end-to-end” parameters of a hydrogen-based, recycled alloy production process.
Following the full post-trial evaluation and assessments, a report will be released as part of the UK government’s Industrial Fuel Switching programme later this year.
Sainsbury’s launches new initiative that will recycle the food waste produced by the supermarket to power 30 trucks at its Emerald Park distribution centre.
By producing biofuel from its food waste, Sainsbury’s says it will save over 3,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually.
Waste processor RenECO currently works with Sainsbury’s to turn food waste that can’t be donated or used for animal feed into biogas via anaerobic digestion.
Sainsbury’s said it will now use the biogas output of the anaerobic digestion to create a liquid biofuel suitable for HGVs.
Today’s announcement underscores the power that collaboration has in driving impactful change across business.
The supermarket said that the system ensures all fuel comes directly from Sainsbury’s waste, unlike traditional methods that mix certified biomethane with non-renewable gases.
Patrick Dunne, Sainsbury’s Director of Property, Procurement, and EV Ventures, commented: “Today’s announcement underscores the power that collaboration has in driving impactful change across business.
“We are proud to have worked closely with our supplier RenCo to deliver a pioneering move that supports our commitment to circularity and helps us to take a further step towards becoming net zero across our operations by 2035.”
Influencers will urge young people not to vape as part of the UK Government’s nationwide campaign to highlight the health risks associated with vaping.
The Love Your Lungs campaign aims to highlight the harms of vaping and nicotine addiction to13 to 18 year olds.
The campaign will roll out primarily on social media and use influencers to speak directly to younger audiences.
The Department of Health and Social Care also announced a 10-year study to investigate long-term health effects of vaping on young people’s health and wellbeing, alongside wider influences on adolescent health.
The £62 million research project into adolescent health, funded by UK Research and Innovation, will track 100,000 young people aged 8 to 18 years over a decade.
The research will collect data on behaviour, biology and health records to understand what affects young people’s health and wellbeing, including the impact of vaping.
Minister for Public Health and Prevention, Ashley Dalton, commented: “We know that vaping can be a useful tool to quit smoking, but it’s crucial we have clear evidence on the long-term health harms, especially for young people.
“This landmark series of studies, combined with our first nationwide youth vaping campaign, will help drive evidence-based, decisive action to protect our children’s future.”
European Union countries have agreed to establish extended producer responsibility (EPR) schemes for textiles.
The European Parliament and Council have reached a provisional agreement on new measures to prevent and reduce waste from food and textiles across the EU.
According to the deal, EU countries would have to establish EPR schemes that ensure producers that make textiles available in any EU country would have to cover the costs for their collection, sorting and recycling.
The new rules would cover products such as clothing and accessories, footwear, blankets, bed and kitchen linen, curtains, and hats.
At Parliament’s initiative, EU countries may also set up EPR schemes for the producers of mattresses.
Negotiators also agreed that member states should address ultra-fast fashion and fast fashion practices when setting out the financial contributions to the EPR schemes.
Producers would be required to pay fees under EPR 30 months after the entry into force of the directive. Micro-enterprises would need to comply with the EPR requirements 12 months later.
The provisions would apply to all producers, including any using e-commerce tools, and irrespective of whether they are established in an EU country or outside the EU.
Rapporteur Anna Zalewska (ECR, PL) commented: “During the final negotiations round, Parliament succeeded to secure provisions making sure that food waste and textiles waste as part of the municipal waste will be further reduced.
“We succeeded in ensuring feasible and realistic provisions for member states to implement food waste reduction policies and we managed to ensure that the agriculture sector will not be negatively impacted.”
Food waste reduction targets
Negotiators also agreed to introduce binding food waste reduction targets to be met at a national level by 31 December 2030.
The targets require EU nations to reduce food waste in food processing by 10% and by 30% per capita in retail, restaurants, food services and households.
The European Parliament said the targets would be calculated in comparison to the amount generated as an annual average between 2021 and 2023.
Following Parliament’s request, EU countries would have to take measures to ensure that economic operators which have a significant role in the prevention and generation of food waste facilitate the donation of unsold food.
Up to £346 million of social value was created due to product reuse enabled by the resource and waste management sector in 2023/24, according to a new CIWM report.
The new report, funded by the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management (CIWM) and produced by Tech-Takeback, found that between £120 million and £346 million of social value was created through product reuse enabled by the resource and waste management sector in 2023/24.
The report focuses on technology reuse for digital inclusion and assesses the social value of wider reuse activities.
CIWM said the research shows the “key role” the resource and waste management sector can play in supporting the UK Government’s commitment to moving to a circular economy and accelerating the net zero transition.
The Institution said the resource and waste management sector can help create new jobs in the repair and reuse economy, reduce household expenditure by offering “high-quality” reused items at low prices, and cut carbon emissions by reducing the need for new product manufacturing.
The sector can also assist people back into employment by reducing digital exclusion by providing reused electronics, such as laptops, CIWM said.
Finally, CIWM said the sector can increase the capture of rare earth metals from the disassembly of end-of-life products.
The Executive Summary of the report is available to read now.
Commenting on the launch of the report, Lee Marshall, CIWM’s Director of Innovation & Technical Services, said: “Waste policy has not always been strong on reuse activities, and it will need to strengthen if we are to move towards a more circular economy.
“By demonstrating the social value associated with reuse activities, we can hopefully accelerate the move toward them becoming more mainstream than they currently are.”
The report also estimates that there are currently around 20 million unused laptops stored in UK homes, which have the potential to generate up to “£44 billion in social value”.
The research used three different tools (TOMS, HACT, and LOOP) to measure the potential social value of technology and other reuse activities.
It found that each of these tools has a different intended function, which means they provide differing assessments of the level of social value a reuse activity will generate.
As a result, CIWM said there is still a high degree of complexity when it comes to measuring social value, with no single tool providing a complete picture.
The report recommends that organisations use two different tools to give as complete a picture as possible.
Jodi Harford, Chief Operating Officer at Tech-Takeback, said the report demonstrates that reuse is more than just an alternative to recycling, calling it a “powerful catalyst for community transformation”.
“Our social value calculations show that every reused item, whether a piece of tech or another everyday product, can create jobs, reduce costs, and boost well-being,” Harford said.
A report last year by CIWM showed that reuse and repair are “likely to create the most jobs in the sector” over the next ten years.
Alongside the report, Tech-Takeback has produced a guide to support reuse organisations measure and articulate the social value generated by their activities.
The full report is available to read here and an Executive Summary can be found here.
The City of London Corporation says it is aiming to become “fully circular” by 2040 as part of its strategy to reduce waste and recycle building materials.
The City of London is a historic financial district, known colloquially as the Square Mile, where both the Stock Exchange and the Bank of England are located.
The area is approximately 1.12 square miles and governed by the City of London Corporation as its local authority.
The Circular Economy Framework and Action Plan outline the Corporation’s plans to embed circular principles in major construction projects and improve recycling facilities.
The Framework also outlines plans to make it easier for residents, businesses, and visitors to adopt circular practices while in the Square Mile.
Chairman of the City Corporation’s Port Health and Environmental Services Committee, Mary Durcan, said: “This framework is a game-changer for the Square Mile. It builds on our commitment to innovation and sustainability, creating a greener, cleaner City for everyone.
By adopting circular economy principles, we’re not just reducing waste, we’re unlocking economic opportunities…
“By adopting circular economy principles, we’re not just reducing waste, we’re unlocking economic opportunities, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that the City remains a world-leading hub for business and culture.”
The Framework aligns with the Corporation’s Climate Action Strategy, which aims for net zero carbon emissions across its full value chain, and the entire City of London, by 2040.
The organisation has already launched several circular economy projects including regular “Give and Take” days, where City residents can donate unwanted books, clothes and electrical items for reuse.
Chairman of the City Corporation’s Planning and Transportation Committee, Shravan Joshi, said: “The City of London’s global reputation as a financial and cultural capital is underpinned by our ability to lead on sustainability.
“This framework exemplifies how forward-thinking policies can drive real change, making the Square Mile a model for circularity and a magnet for sustainable investment.”
48% of adults in the UK purchased a second-hand item in the last year, according to Suez’s “Repair, Reuse, Reform – How to Accelerate Progress to a Circular Economy” report.
The report found that Gen Z and millennials are leading the trend of buying second-hand, with those under 35 almost twice as likely to buy re-used goods than those over 55.
A re-use manifesto published today by SUEZ recycling and recovery UK (SUEZ) has revealed research into consumer habits and called on the UK Government to activate a seven-point plan to reduce avoidable waste.
The research undertaken for the re-use manifesto suggests that the cost-of-living crisis may already be driving a surge in pre-loved purchasing.
The poll, conducted for SUEZ by Opinium in January this year, revealed that 30% of UK adults said they were more likely to buy second-hand as a result of the cost-of-living crisis.
It showed that almost 16 million shoppers (29% of adults) have reined in their spending on clothes, with 20% buying fewer electrical goods.
Government action is needed to level the playing field and give consumers the confidence to buy re-used or repaired goods…
24% of adults also said they are more likely to buy re-used or second-hand items this year than in 2024.
When questioned about their motivations for buying re-used items, 42% of respondents cited better value for money, followed by environmental concerns (29%) and support for small businesses and charities (27%).
However, affordability is a key concern, with one in four shoppers (26%) citing financial pressures as a key reason.
The report also highlighted the barriers that prevent people from buying second-hand with 40% of consumers hesitant to buy re-used goods due to concerns over quality, while 18% worry about being scammed.
Commenting on the research, John Scanlon, Chief Executive Officer at SUEZ recycling and recovery UK, said: “The UK has a massive waste challenge – if all nations consumed at the same rate as us, we would need over two and half planets to sustain our demands. So, it is hugely positive to see the surging popularity of re-use and repair.
“However, the repair and re-use movement still faces major impediments and disincentives. Government action is needed to level the playing field and give consumers the confidence to buy re-used or repaired goods, which would help turbocharge the shift towards a more circular economy.”
In its re-use manifesto, Suez said the UK Government should activate these seven steps to stimulate re-use and repair:
Cut the cost: Reduce VAT on all reused, refurbished and repaired goods, including spare parts and labour.
Harness skills: Implement the ideals of the former Government’s Green Jobs Delivery Group, to bring more people into the sector.
Build consumer confidence: Establish a nationwide accreditation scheme for tested and repaired products.
Enable local leadership: Give the public sector a clear objective to prioritise re-use.
Keep products in use for longer: Increase minimum warranty periods for electrical and household items.
Make repairs accessible: Extend Right to Repair legislation.
Invest to grow: Create a £250 million Re-use Development Loan Fund.
According to “Repair, Reuse, Reform – How to Accelerate Progress to a Circular Economy”, UK households and businesses throw away two million tonnes of electrical appliances every year and discard 70 million different household items worth more than £2 billion.
The re-use manifesto also says that if every UK household re-used or repaired two extra items a year, it would keep 23 million more items in use, generating £1.6 billion for local economies and creating 74,200 skilled jobs.
Circular Online explores seven innovative ways that new artificial intelligence technologies are advancing the circular economy.
The shift from a linear economy where resources are extracted, used, and disposed of, to a circular economy where materials are kept in use for as long as possible is an essential part of tackling resource depletion and environmental impact.
While recycling remains important, circularity goes beyond simply managing waste – it focuses on prevention, reuse, refurbishment, and remanufacturing to design waste out of the system altogether.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a key enabler of this shift. By improving material recovery, enhancing product design, and optimising supply chains, AI is helping businesses and policymakers make the circular economy more efficient and scalable.
Here are seven ways AI is already making an impact:
AI-powered sorting is improving recycling efficiency
Last year, Greyparrot shared data insights from sorting facilities being uncovered by AI waste analytics systems.
One of the most immediate applications of AI in the circular economy is its role in waste sorting and recycling. Many recycling systems face challenges due to contamination, inefficient sorting, and an inability to process complex multi-material products.
AI is addressing these issues by increasing both the speed and accuracy of waste separation.
AI-driven computer vision technology allows machines to recognise different types of materials on a conveyor belt, distinguishing between plastics, metals, glass, and textiles with a high degree of precision.
Robotic arms, guided by machine learning, can then remove unwanted materials, improving the purity of recycled outputs. Over time, these AI models continuously learn and adapt, enabling them to identify new materials as packaging and product designs evolve.
Companies, such as ZenRobotics, TOMRA and Greyparrot, have developed AI-powered waste-sorting systems that significantly improve efficiency, ensuring that more materials are properly recovered and reintroduced into production cycles.
Machine learning is enabling smarter material design
AI is also transforming material science, enabling researchers to develop products that are easier to recycle, repair, and repurpose.
One of the biggest challenges in achieving circularity is the fact that many modern materials – particularly plastics and composites – are difficult to break down and reuse. AI-driven material discovery is helping scientists design more sustainable alternatives.
Machine learning algorithms can analyse the chemical properties of materials and predict how they will behave over time.
This can lead to the creation of self-healing polymers, biodegradable alternatives, and modular materials that can be disassembled and repurposed.
In the future, AI may even allow for programmable materials that can change their properties based on specific environmental conditions, making them more adaptable and reusable.
Predictive maintenance is extending product lifespans
One of the key principles of the circular economy is keeping products in use for as long as possible. AI is helping to achieve this by enabling predictive maintenance, which allows manufacturers, businesses, and consumers to anticipate wear and tear before it leads to product failure.
Rather than waiting for a machine or device to break down, AI can analyse performance data and detect early signs of deterioration.
This is particularly valuable in industries such as manufacturing, transport, and medical technology, where equipment failures can be costly and lead to unnecessary waste.
By predicting when maintenance is required, AI helps to extend the lifespan of products and reduce the need for frequent replacements.
Companies, such as Vanguard, are applying this approach in the medical sector, remanufacturing surgical tools to extend their use while maintaining strict safety standards.
AI is supporting circular product design
Circular economy principles are most effective when applied at the design stage. AI-powered design tools are helping businesses create products that are easier to repair, upgrade, and recycle.
By analysing vast datasets on material performance, supply chain logistics, and customer usage patterns, AI can assist designers in choosing the most circular materials and structures.
This approach is particularly relevant in industries like electronics and construction, where AI is being used to develop modular components that can be easily disassembled and repurposed.
Companies like Grafmarine are applying this concept in the energy sector, designing modular solar panels that can be repaired or upgraded rather than discarded when they reach the end of their initial use.
AI is enabling Product-as-a-Service models
The transition to a circular economy is not just about material recovery – it also involves rethinking ownership models.
AI is helping to support Product-as-a-Service (PaaS) models, where consumers access products through rental, leasing, or subscription rather than outright ownership. This approach ensures that products remain in circulation for longer, reducing unnecessary consumption and waste.
AI enables businesses to track usage patterns, optimise maintenance schedules, and predict when products need refurbishment or replacement. This makes PaaS models more viable and financially sustainable.
Companies, such as Grover, which rents out consumer electronics, and Rebike, which provides refurbished e-bikes, are already using AI to manage product lifecycles.
These models keep products in circulation for as long as possible, ensuring they are repaired, reused, and redistributed rather than discarded prematurely.
AI is enhancing supply chain transparency
One of the biggest challenges in achieving a truly circular economy is the lack of visibility across supply chains.
Many companies struggle to track where their materials come from, how they are used, and where they end up at the end of their lifecycle. AI is helping to close this gap by providing real-time insights into material flows.
Through the use of machine learning, big data analytics, and blockchain integration, AI can help businesses trace the origins of raw materials, monitor their environmental impact, and ensure that sustainability commitments are being met.
This level of transparency is particularly important in industries such as fashion and consumer goods, where supply chain complexity often makes it difficult to verify whether materials have been ethically and sustainably sourced.
AI-powered supply chain monitoring tools are already being used by companies seeking to improve their circularity credentials and meet evolving regulatory requirements.
AI is personalising consumer engagement in sustainability
Intuitive AI wrote a case study on how their new AI recycling assistant Oscar Sort is improving consumer engagement.
Beyond industry and infrastructure, AI is also influencing how individuals engage with the circular economy.
AI-powered platforms are providing personalised sustainability recommendations, helping consumers make more informed choices about the products they buy, how they use them, and what they do at the end of their life.
By analysing purchasing habits and product usage patterns, AI-driven applications can suggest repair and refurbishment options, recommend second-hand alternatives, and connect users to local circular economy initiatives.
AI-powered chatbots and virtual assistants may also play a role in guiding consumers towards more circular consumption habits.
Looking to the future, AI could support systems where consumers are incentivised for sustainable behaviour, such as returning used products for refurbishment or opting for repair over replacement.
The future of AI and the circular economy
As AI continues to develop, its role in supporting circularity will only expand. From optimising waste management to enhancing material innovation, AI is already demonstrating its potential to make the circular economy more efficient and scalable.
However, its success will depend on collaboration across businesses, policymakers, and consumers. The integration of AI into circular economy initiatives needs to be guided by clear policies, ethical considerations, and investment in sustainable infrastructure.
If applied effectively, AI has the potential to accelerate the transition to a more resource-efficient, low-waste future, helping businesses and societies move beyond traditional linear models towards a truly circular economy.
The Department of Health and Social Care also announced a 10-year study to investigate long-term health effects of vaping on young people’s health and wellbeing, alongside wider influences on adolescent health.
Negotiators also agreed to introduce binding food waste reduction targets to be met at a national level by 31 December 2030.
