Fabrizio Leonforte, Associate Professor at Politecnico di Milano, explains how RE-SKIN is using circular renovations to improve energy efficiency in the built environment.

Our buildings need a serious upgrade to keep up with our changing planet. Winters are colder, summers are hotter, and outdated housing just can’t keep up.

The future of sustainable living demands smarter designs, cutting-edge materials, and game-changing technologies to make buildings more energy-efficient, comfortable, and resilient.

But what if the solution to this pressing problem lies not in the new, but in the sustainable renovation of existing buildings?

What is at stake?

With climate change driving increasingly extreme temperatures, energy poverty is becoming a year-round crisis.

In the EU, over 41 million citizens, 9.3% of the population, couldn’t keep their homes warm during the winter months and over double this (19%) were unable to cool their homes during heatwaves.

This is only set to worsen as our planet’s temperatures soar further. By 2100, up to 100 million Europeans will be exposed to extreme heat, a tenfold increase from today. Our cities and homes are simply not built to withstand this reality.

Moreover, it should be taken into account that buildings account for a staggering 40% of energy consumption in the EU, with heating and cooling making up 80% of that figure.

Poor insulation and outdated heating systems place a heavy financial burden on households, alongside the rising cost of energy.

At the same time, the building sector is responsible for 35% of Europe’s energy-related emissions. Without intervention, these numbers will only rise.

To align with the European Green Deal, these emissions must be reduced by at least 60% compared to 2015, within the next six years.

The key to reducing these energy-related emissions is investing in sustainable renovation that makes buildings more energy-efficient.

How RE-SKIN is driving circular renovation

One EU-funded project paving the way is RE-SKIN. From public housing in France and Spain to a Bulgarian school and a community-focused building in Italy, this project takes a holistic approach to renovation that integrates circularity with energy efficiency, fundamentally improving the lives of residents while cutting carbon emissions.

It is more than a technical upgrade; it is a social revolution aimed at making housing both affordable and sustainable.

The secret lies in renovating rather than rebuilding – using what we already have rather than starting from scratch – as it’s important to keep materials in use for as long as possible to reduce their impact on the planet.

RE-SKIN aims to cut energy consumption in existing buildings by up to 90% through an innovative, multifunctional retrofit system.

By integrating bio-based insulation materials, renovations can be carried out externally, allowing tenants to remain in their homes while improvements are made, making the process both efficient and socially inclusive.

Furthermore, the use of recyclable and dry construction materials cuts carbon output by 60% during the retrofitting phase and by 40% at the end of a building’s lifecycle.

The system is fully compatible with existing buildings without overloading structures and interfaces with the original installations.

It allows for low intrusive installation works, which decreases installation times and speeds up the overall renovation processes whilst reducing or avoiding discomfort for the inhabitants.

Inside a RE-SKIN renovation

Instead of simply replacing old windows with new ones, RE-SKIN is taking a smarter, circular approach.

Existing windows will be upgraded with advanced coatings able to reduce the energy losses and to avoid the overheating – increasing the performances while saving labour and material cost.

By using recycled and bio-based materials, it is possible to cut energy consumption by 70% over the product’s lifecycle in comparison to standard materials.

Roofing is another crucial element of the retrofit process. RE-SKIN’s innovative building-integrated photovoltaic thermal (BIPVT) system builds on previous research to create roofs that not only withstand extreme weather but also generate electric and thermal energy.

By adapting curtain wall technology for rooftops, this system ensures better durability against heavy rain and strong winds.

Each roof is both resilient and environmentally responsible. The renovated buildings will have roofs made from recycled aluminium, bio-sourced insulation, and repurposed photovoltaic (PV) modules.

For areas not covered by solar panels, sustainable steel and bio-sourced insulation will be used, ensuring that every part of the building contributes to a lower carbon footprint.

The materials selected prioritise longevity, recyclability, and energy efficiency, proving that circularity can be seamlessly integrated into building upgrades.

Another key innovation is the use of repurposed electric vehicle (EV) batteries for energy storage. These discarded batteries, which are still functional and efficient, provide a cost-effective alternative to new storage systems.

By integrating batteries from the automotive sector, the solution reduces the environmental impact of battery production by up to 90%, significantly lowering costs over the system’s lifespan.

The evidence is clear. For a just transition, we cannot rely solely on the reduction of emissions in the operational phase, but we have to also consider the related embodied emissions throughout the whole life cycle.

Large-scale renovation projects prioritising circular materials and energy efficiency must become the norm.

The RE-SKIN project is proving that sustainable, affordable housing is not an unattainable dream but a practical, scalable solution.

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The circular economy is no longer a theory, there are many examples of how it is changing the world right now. Below are six fascinating examples of the circular economy in action.

The concept of a circular economy has rapidly moved from the margins to the mainstream, becoming essential to addressing global challenges like climate change, biodiversity loss, and resource depletion.

As Europe and the UK position themselves at the forefront of this transformation, practical examples are emerging across various sectors, demonstrating significant environmental and economic benefits.

In March 2020, the European Commission adopted the Circular Economy Action Plan (CEAP), an integral component of the European Green Deal. This ambitious plan targets the entire lifecycle of products – from design and manufacturing to consumption and disposal.

The CEAP aims to establish sustainable product norms, empower consumers, minimise waste, and ensure resource retention within the EU economy. Key sectors, such as electronics, textiles, plastics, construction, and vehicles, are specifically targeted due to their high potential for circular innovation.

The EU’s transition to a circular economy is foundational for achieving its 2050 climate neutrality goal and addressing biodiversity loss. By encouraging resource efficiency, reuse, recycling, and sustainable practices, the EU hopes to set a global example and position itself as a leader in circular economy practices.

Parallel to EU initiatives, the UK has made significant commitments toward fostering a circular economy. Environment Secretary Steve Reed recently highlighted the importance of transitioning away from Britain’s traditional “throwaway” culture.

Speaking at a recent industry gathering, Reed emphasised that adopting circular economy practices is essential to spur innovation, strengthen supply chains, and reduce environmental impact.

The UK Government has established the Circular Economy Taskforce to identify strategies within five key sectors: textiles, transport, construction, agri-food, and plastics. By creating tailored roadmaps for each sector, the taskforce aims to facilitate sustainable growth and net-zero emissions.

So, how has this policy landscape helped develop the circular economy around the globe? Check out these six fascinating examples of the circular economy in action below.

Built Environment – Copenhagen’s Green-Blue Infrastructure

In July 2011, Copenhagen faced an unprecedented climate crisis – a catastrophic flood that inflicted around €1 billion in damages.

This event catalysed an ambitious climate adaptation strategy emphasising nature-based solutions. Copenhagen’s response has revolutionised urban water management through green-blue infrastructure, significantly reducing flood risk while simultaneously enhancing urban liveability.

Copenhagen implemented an extensive network of parks, wetlands, and permeable surfaces to manage stormwater naturally, easing pressure on traditional sewage infrastructure.

These interventions created new habitats, boosted biodiversity, improved air quality, and enhanced the city’s aesthetic appeal. Analysis demonstrated that such nature-based solutions reduced mitigation costs by over $200 million compared to traditional infrastructure.

This approach fostered cross-sector collaboration, uniting municipalities, utilities, and citizens. Inspired by Copenhagen, cities worldwide, including New York City, are adopting similar green infrastructure strategies, recognising the dual benefits of climate resilience and improved urban environments.

Automotive – Riversimple’s Hydrogen-powered Rasa

UK-based Riversimple exemplifies circular economy principles in the automotive industry. Established in 2007, Riversimple confronts traditional auto industry wastefulness through radical innovation in technology and business models.

Its hydrogen-powered car, Rasa, embodies a zero-emission vision, achieving minimal environmental impact and drastically reduced resource usage.

Riversimple’s business model is distinctive – vehicles are leased, not sold, and customers pay based on mileage. This approach incentivises the creation of durable, long-lasting vehicles designed for continual reuse.

The car itself incorporates lightweight carbon-fibre components, regenerative braking, and a small hydrogen fuel cell, drastically reducing energy consumption.

Additionally, Riversimple’s governance structure uniquely aligned interests among stakeholders, including customers, suppliers, and the environment. Decisions require unanimous stakeholder approval, promoting sustainability and efficiency.

This holistic approach has positioned Riversimple as a pioneer in sustainable mobility, offering a replicable template for the automotive industry’s circular transformation.

Fashion and Textiles – Teemill’s Circular Supply Chain

The fashion industry’s reputation for wastefulness and environmental harm is undergoing a profound transformation through circular economy initiatives like Teemill, established in 2009 on the Isle of Wight.

Teemill’s revolutionary circular supply chain creates t-shirts on demand, minimising waste and resource usage at every production stage.

From organic cotton farming using rainwater irrigation and chemical-free pest control to efficient production processes powered by renewable energy, Teemill’s model prioritises environmental sustainability.

The brand’s real-time manufacturing strategy eliminates surplus inventory and waste by only producing items after purchase.

Teemill’s innovation extends to product lifecycle management, with garments designed to be returned for recycling into new apparel.

Customers participate actively by scanning QR codes to facilitate garment return, receiving credit for future purchases, effectively turning consumers into contributors to sustainability.

Teemill’s approach democratises access to sustainable practices, providing open access to its circular supply chain technology, enabling thousands of brands to adopt similar strategies without upfront costs.

City of Phoenix and Arizona State University – Collaboration Towards a Circular Economy

Since 2011, the City of Phoenix and Arizona State University (ASU) have partnered to accelerate the city’s transition to a circular economy.

The collaboration, initially driven by applied research and later evolving into implementation-focused pilot projects, has played a pivotal role in doubling Phoenix’s waste diversion rate in six years.

Mayor Greg Stanton’s 2015 launch of “Reimagine Phoenix: Transforming Trash into Resources” set a goal of 40% waste diversion by 2020. To support this, the city formalised its partnership with ASU’s Rob and Melani Walton Sustainability Solutions Service. ASU also introduced the Resource Innovation and Solutions Network (RISN) to connect stakeholders and remove barriers to circular economy solutions.

ASU’s Circular Living Lab (CLL) emerged to test small-scale plastic recycling and remanufacturing across ASU’s 500-building campus. This interdisciplinary lab pilots grassroots models to convert plastic waste into new products – lessons from which are now being scaled up.

By 2020, Phoenix achieved a 38% waste diversion rate. The partnership fostered business development, job creation, and enhanced community engagement. RISN also launched an incubator in 2016, supporting 19 circular startups that generated USD 4.14 million in revenue, created 68 jobs, and filed 14 patents.

Challenges included bureaucratic hurdles, limitations on seed funding, and unreliable feedstock data, prompting more data-driven planning and broader cross-jurisdictional collaboration. A dedicated project manager at both the City and ASU helped the partnership remain agile and aligned.

Circular by Design – Signify’s Lighting-as-a-Service

Signify, formerly Philips Lighting, exemplifies circular design through its innovative Lighting-as-a-Service (LaaS) model. Rather than selling lighting products, Signify offers managed lighting services to commercial and public-sector customers who pay monthly for usage, not ownership.

This model incentivises Signify to design durable, modular lighting fixtures that are easy to maintain, repair, and eventually recycle. By maintaining ownership, Signify ensures materials remain in use longer, significantly reducing waste.

Signify’s lighting systems incorporate IoT and AI technologies, optimising efficiency and energy usage, leading to substantial savings. Notably, Schiphol Airport achieved a 50% reduction in energy consumption under the LaaS model.

The LaaS model eliminates upfront costs for customers, promoting broader adoption. This innovative business approach conserves resources, reduces environmental impact, and exemplifies how circular economy principles can be seamlessly integrated into established industries.

Incentivising Reuse – Mud Jeans’s Plan to Close the Loop on Denim

MUD Jeans are another strong example of the textile circular economy in action. Their business model is built around durability, reuse, and recycling, with a unique leasing system that encourages customers to return old jeans rather than discard them.

These returned jeans are then either resold as vintage or broken down and used to create new denim products, reducing the need for virgin materials.

By designing for longevity and closing the loop on production and consumption, MUD Jeans demonstrates how fashion can shift toward a more sustainable, circular future. Mud Jeans founder Bert Van Son will be speaking at this year’s Festival of Circular Economy.

From Vision to Reality

Europe and the UK are setting precedents that inspire global change, proving that sustainability and economic growth can coexist harmoniously.

The transition to a circular economy is more than an environmental imperative – it represents a strategic economic opportunity, enabling industries to innovate sustainably, create new jobs, and drive meaningful progress toward global climate goals.

To better understand how these strategies are being put into action – and to learn from innovators like the above are shaping the future of sustainability – the Festival of Circular Economy offers a vital opportunity.

This three-day event combines virtual sessions with an in-person gathering, facilitating a dynamic exchange of ideas and fostering collaborations aimed at accelerating the transition to a sustainable, net-zero future.

Day 1: Online – May 20: The inaugural day focuses on “Unleashing the Power of Design for Circularity.” Sessions will delve into how innovative design principles can drive circular economy initiatives, emphasising the role of design in resource efficiency and sustainability.

Day 2: Online – May 21: The second day centres on “Circular Business Models and Innovation,” exploring transformative business strategies that prioritise sustainability, such as product-as-a-service models, reverse logistics, and closed-loop supply chains.

Day 3: In-Person – May 22: The final day transitions to an in-person format at Second Home Spitalfields, London. This day emphasises a UK-focussed day of networking and collaboration, offering attendees the opportunity to engage directly with speakers, participate in co-labs and idea-sharing sessions, and build partnerships.

The practical implementations set to feature at the Festival of Circular Economy will demonstrate tangible successes, highlighting the economic and environmental benefits of circular strategies as well as serving as powerful blueprints for future innovations.

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Associate Member of the Chartered Institution of Wastes Management Nick Noble, DanuRobotics, explains how thinking smaller can acheive bigger results in the circular economy.

Too much domestic and commercial waste is burned or landfilled, while consumers stubbornly recycle less than 50%.

The waste industry is getting more efficient and there are successes but are we making the progress to a circular economy fast enough?

2025 is a big year for regulatory disruption so perhaps our industry should also think differently by looking outside the sector for inspiration.

What is the problem?

Most materials recovery facilities (MRFs) employ manual workers for quality control picking because humans are very capable and sophisticated machines.

We can pick a huge variety of different material from dirty mixed waste; for example, a plastic bag, then a vape, a nappy or a bit of two-by-four. If volumes are low, we can pivot to a different job, we are very adaptable.

But manual picking isn’t a viable long-term solution though because it doesn’t scale well. We’d need armies of pickers and that’s increasingly expensive with fewer people understandably willing to do the work.

Meanwhile, robotic systems across all industries have been proven for decades, showing that robots can be as capable and cost-effective as humans. Could robots increase quality control picking volumes to help meet our targets?

Could our volumes be bigger by thinking smaller?

Back in the ’90s, Jeff Bezos applied the Long Tail economic theory to the book industry. Standard business practice at the time, duplicated online, was to only stock individual books that would sell in large quantities.

Jeff Bezos cross-referenced in a graph the total number of books published by the number of each title sold. The peak of best sellers accounted for the majority of sales but then the line dropped quickly and tapered out because most titles only sell in small numbers.

He marked the sales point at which his competitors stopped selling a title and saw in this ‘Long Tail’ shape, a huge inventory of low-selling books that if he could sell them, would cumulatively give him a competitive advantage.

He needed a logistical super company of course but the early USP of Amazon focused on small quantities to get big volumes.

In our industry, MRFs are highly efficient at processing big volumes with big machinery, but what if we also processed more of that long tail of dirty mixed waste? How much more cumulative ‘inventory’ would that give us?

Co-mingled black bag waste is difficult and costly to process. It’s why most are incinerated or manually sorted. Simply put we need machines that can pick all recyclables from black bag waste.

A robot’s relentlessness could then be exploited – always on, never bored or tired and getting cheaper every year, not more expensive.

Robots that can pick vapes, nappies, batteries or medical waste and can be an essential component of safety systems in cases of conveyor fires.

The non-human working environment is a machine in itself and manufacturing robotics have been the standard for decades.

Robots with grippers/hands that pick like a human wouldn’t need waste pre-sorted into a clean, reduced mix as they can pick through dirty mixed waste.

By removing pre-sorting work like washing, the whole process would be shorter and compensate for admittedly slower sorting speeds.

There are other opportunities too, the MRF could be smaller and sorting could be incorporated far closer to the source material, such as in hospitals, airports, shopping centres, and stadiums. How much more food packaging could be separated from organic waste if it was picked quickly?

How will it work?

This small strategy is not a new idea of course. The EU is funding a university-led project in Greece to create a portable MiniMRF for small island communities to cut the cost of transporting waste to central MRFs.

Project Reclaim uses a variety of technologies clustered together to pick across the mix of black bag waste on a single conveyor.

UK company Advetec is running several innovative projects in the UK and US, including a local authority in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland, to process their small quantities of black bag waste.

Meanwhile, in London, MRFs are being sold to developers because the land is just too valuable, increasing the transportation of waste.

Thinking small to get big results also applies to our industry data. When Barnes & Noble was responding to Amazon’s rise, did they quantify the value of the customer data Amazon were collecting? Did they know how valuable that data would be in predicting customer behaviour? Did anyone?

Would real-time data analysis of our waste also have a value we perhaps haven’t quantified yet?

The role of CIWM

Danu Robotics in Edinburgh is now shipping our small ‘dirty mixed waste’ picking robots, becoming only the second UK robotics manufacturer to serve our industry.

We listened intensively to CIWM members throughout the four-year development process to understand what was needed.

CIWM Trustee Duncan Simpson FCIWM has been very generous in guiding our efforts, especially when it comes to Scotland’s particular challenges. I asked him again for his thoughts on this small strategy.

He said: “Large-scale MRFs are typically centralised and require high volumes of waste to operate efficiently. In countries with dense urban centres, this model works well.

“However, in Scotland, where remote communities, islands, and rural regions present logistical challenges, transporting recyclables long distances to large MRFs is both costly and inefficient.

“They can also be single points of failure if impacted by fire or operational problems throwing contracts and material flows into emergency contingency measures, which can be costly from both an environmental and financial point of view.

“Small-scale MRFs, equipped with robotic sorting systems, present an opportunity to decentralise recycling in Scotland. These compact facilities can be placed closer to waste generation sites, reducing transportation costs and ensuring that materials are processed efficiently.

“Unlike large, centralised facilities that require significant investment, smaller MRFs can be developed incrementally, allowing local authorities to adapt and scale based on waste generation patterns.

“With a relatively small but widely dispersed population, Scotland faces unique waste management challenges. Littering, fly-tipping, and inefficiencies in residual waste collection often hinder recycling efforts.

“Small-scale MRFs can be strategically placed in regions with high waste generation, ensuring localised processing and reducing the environmental impact of transportation.”

In conclusion

Small MRFs and robotic QC picking will always be supplementary to how our ‘big’ centralised industry operates and in practice this strategy depends on robots being capable and cost-effective, which they haven’t been so far.

As manufacturing and eCommerce giants show us though, robotics is inevitable and there are opportunities for those who time their investment well.

The wider impact is even bigger – it could help our society get to the circular economy the world needs.

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Viridor announces £75,000 in funding for Library of Things, Reuse Network, and Sheltersuit UK.

Through its We Share Community Fund, Viridor will provide £75,000 to the three organisations over the next financial year.

Commenting on the funding announcement, Kevin Bradshaw, CEO of Viridor, said: “These organisations reflect Viridor’s mission to create a world where nothing goes to waste and I am delighted that Viridor is supporting this important sector – as we work together to drive meaningful impact on people, the planet, and the way we think about resource use.”

Viridor has allocated £35,000 of the funding to Reuse Network, which it says will use the funding to provide digital support for its members, run a media campaign and roadshows, and advance its research capabilities.

Viridor has an ongoing strategic partnership with Reuse Network, which supports UK charities dedicated to reuse.

Library of Things (LoT) is set to receive £20,000 to support its initiatives as part of a new partnership with Viridor.

LoT allows users to rent household items from local high streets. Later this year, LoT plans to launch a ‘Sharing Library Incubator’ and ‘Seed Fund’ to help communities kick-start their own sharing libraries in towns and cities across the UK.

As part of an additional new partnership, Viridor has also allocated £20,000 of funding to Sheltersuit UK, which was founded in 2021 and repurposes waste nylons and polyesters into survival clothing for unhoused people.

Viridor says its funding will help pay for a machinist’s salary for eight months, as well as cover the cost of materials, and contribute to producing 700-800 Shelter bags.

Rebecca Wetten, Co-Director of the Library of Things, commented: “Community-led initiatives – like sharing libraries – play a crucial role in powering the behaviour change needed for a society that borrows instead of buys.

“In partnership with Viridor, we’ll launch the Sharing Library Fund and Incubator to directly tackle the funding barrier that prevents communities from launching and sustaining lending libraries.”

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Over 350 million people across the globe have access to a Deposit Return Scheme (DRS), according to new analysis from Reloop.

The analysis comes from Reloop’s new interactive Global Deposit Dashboard, which aims to provide comparable, transparent information on DRS policies and system performance across regions.

The dashboard shows the continued growth of DRS programmes including in British Columbia’s scheme, which launched in 1970 and covers around 2 million people. The latest data from 2024 showing what Reloop calls a “record level” of over 350 million people globally had access to a DRS.

The total population of Europeans with access to DRSs reached 185 million in 2024, up from 165 million in 2023, according to the Dashboard.

Clarissa Morawski, CEO of Reloop, commented: “We know that deposit return systems work, but good design relies on good data.

“Reloop’s Global Deposit Dashboard gives users the tools to understand what’s happening on the ground, compare systems and use those insights to make better decisions.

“As the UK Government moves ahead with the vital Deposit Return Scheme, the dashboard offers insights which demonstrate the well-evidenced benefits of these schemes around the world.”

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AI material identification scanner manufacturer Matoha, a UK-based startup that enables textile sorting, has completed the first phase of a £1.5m seed round.

Archipelago Ventures and Circular Plastics Accelerator led the seed round – the initial funding stage for a start-up – for Matoha. Other investors include Conduit Connect, British Design Fund, Fashion for Good, and angel investors.

Co-founder of Archipelago Ventures Lucy Mortimer is appearing at this year’s Festival of Circular Economy in May. Last week, it was announced that Circular Economy Minister Mary Creagh is giving a keynote presentation at the Festival.

Hans Chan, Matoha’s CTO and Co-founder, said the investment will enable Matoha to take the technology to “the next level.”

“With this investment, we can have a greater impact on processing end-of-life textiles,” Chan said. “This will include improving the AI capabilities in sorting for recycling and reuse. We are also looking at automation which is essential due to the sheer volume of textiles waste.”

Matoha believes one of the key problems in the recycling of textiles is the identification and separation of their component fibres.

Each individual fibre type has a different recycling process and needs to be sent to a specific recycling plant.

Matoha says it has developed manually operated devices that scan and accurately identify the compositional makeup of textiles in under a second. The devices are designed to be intuitive and easy to use.

With this investment, we can have a greater impact on processing end-of-life textiles.

Manufactured in the UK by Matoha’s in-house team, the devices range from handheld scanners that can be used on-site or in the field, to in-built desktop scanners for industrial-scale waste sorting facilities.

Matoha says it has raised investment to develop and extend the capability of the handheld devices.

The second phase of this Seed round will aim to support the automation and scaling of Matoha’s technology via AI-driven robotic solutions.

Justin Guest, Founding Partner at Archipelago Ventures, commented: “Solutions like Matoha’s are critical to unlocking barriers and enabling a circular textiles economy.

“Identification of material types and the ability to sort textiles is key to valorisation of end-of-life textiles and fabrics.”

Reacting to the announcement, Claire Shrewsbury, Director of Insights and Innovations at WRAP, said: “Moving to a circular model of clothing is critical with a growing global population, and to counter overproduction.

“Key is developing an automated and transformative way of sorting clothing for both fibre2fibre recycling, reuse and other applications.

“With Matoha, we see a cost-effective solution to this issue that will help enable more textiles to be effectively sorted and saved.”

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Ian Thomas, managing director of Turquoise International, speaks to Jiva Materials’s founder Jack Herring about how his innovative new product could revolutionise how we deal with e-waste.

In a world increasingly dependent on electronics, the disposal of electronic waste (e-waste) is one of the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.

I sat down with Jiva Materials to discuss the company’s innovative PCB substrate designed to tackle e-waste head on.

E-waste is among the fastest-growing solid waste streams globally. Approximately 62 million tonnes of e-waste is generated worldwide on an annual basis, projected to reach 82m tonnes by 2030. Of this, a mere 22.3% was formally documented as collected and recycled.

Informal e-waste recycling is also a significant global health issue. Lead, a toxic substance, is often released into the environment through informal e-waste recycling practices, such as open burning or improper storage.

Printed circuit boards (PCBs), a vital component in all electronic devices and the backbone of electronic systems, account for a significant portion of this waste.

The printed circuit boards (PCB) quandary

Every year, an estimated 18 billion square metres of PCBs are produced globally, causing significant recycling and disposal issues.

With the rising value of precious metals contained in PCBs and growing global concern for environmental sustainability, efficient recycling has become a critical necessity.

Jiva Materials has a compelling solution to this problem. Jack Herring, Jiva’s founder, began developing the product Soluboard®, a patented, cost-competitive and fully recyclable PCB substrate designed to challenge the industry standard, FR-4, during his postgraduate studies at the Royal College of Art, while pursuing a Masters in Design Products.

Herring went on to establish Jiva Materials in 2017 and has since played a pivotal role in the company’s success.

“While studying, I was given a brief by my tutor; to choose a waste stream and optimise it. I chose electronic waste – the fastest growing waste stream in the world. One common part of the products that contribute to the e-waste stream is the printed circuit board, or PCB.”

I decided to re-engineer the material that made PCBs so difficult to recycle – the printed circuit board substrate.

Alternative materials and innovative design approaches were the solution. Herring continues: “The primary ingredients in PCBs are fibreglass and epoxy resin. Currently, the most efficient method for recycling the material involves shredding and incinerating it.

“I decided to re-engineer the material that made PCBs so difficult to recycle – the printed circuit board substrate. I wanted to make my version recyclable, non-toxic, and fully biodegradable.”

The organic structure of Soluboard® enables its non-toxic components to delaminate when exposed to hot water. This innovation allows the plant-based fibres to be composted, the remaining solution to be safely disposed of through standard wastewater systems and the recovery of the electronic components for recycling. Moreover, users of Soluboard® can achieve an impressive 67% reduction in embodied carbon content.

Interest in Soluboard® has already been confirmed by a range of blue-chip electronics manufacturers, including EU domestic appliance and white goods producers, which face tightening regulations that place the responsibility for recycling squarely on manufacturers.

The investment opportunity

The total available market (TAM) for PCBs is projected to grow significantly. According to Jiva Materials, the global PCB market, including single-sided, double-sided and multilayer PCBs, was valued at $67.9B in 2023 and is expected to reach $92.4B by 2039, with a CAGR of 5.4%.

Low Carbon Innovation Fund 2 (LCIF2), managed by Turquoise International, is an investor in Jiva. Reducing the carbon footprint and improving the recyclability of printed circuit boards remains a key challenge for the electronics industry, and Jiva offers a unique solution.

Commenting on a recently-completed investment round, a spokesperson for the business, said: “All of us at Jiva are very thankful for the support from our shareholders and we look forward to bringing Soluboard® to market by working with key players in the world of electronics. It’s time for us to take responsibility for our products and the impacts that they have on the planet.”

It’s time for us to take responsibility for our products and the impacts that they have on the planet.

This year, the company has raised almost £250,000 through an oversubscribed online crowdfunding campaign to support Soluboard®’s development. In late 2024, Jiva officially secured UL Recognition, a prestigious certification awarded by Underwriters Laboratories (UL), a global leader in safety science.

This achievement underscores Soluboard®’s compliance with strict performance and environmental standards, providing industry stakeholders with confidence in its quality and reliability.

In addition, Jiva has recently earned ISO 9000:2015 accreditation following a rigorous audit. Jiva’s CEO Steve Driver attributes this achievement to “our team’s relentless commitment to quality, innovation, and operational excellence.”

To accelerate Soluboard®’s commercialisation further, Jiva is now collaborating with the University of Portsmouth, supported by a Knowledge Transfer Partnership (KTP).

A sustainable beginning

By replacing traditional, difficult-to-recycle PCB substrates with a biodegradable, non-toxic alternative, Jiva is setting a new industry standard that aligns with both environmental responsibility and regulatory compliance.

The company’s growing industry partnerships, investor confidence and recent accreditations highlight its momentum in transforming the way PCBs are designed, used, and disposed of.

With global e-waste projected to rise exponentially in the coming years, solutions like Soluboard® will play a critical role in reducing waste, recovering valuable materials and lowering the electronics industry’s carbon footprint.

As Jiva continues to expand its reach and drive innovation, its mission is clear: to make sustainable PCB recycling the norm rather than the exception. The success of Soluboard® could mark the beginning of a fundamental shift in electronic manufacturing, proving that performance and sustainability can go hand in hand.

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Warren Fothergill, Health, Safety, Environment and Quality Manager at offsite manufacturer Premier Modular, explains the role of net zero in reducing construction waste.

The construction industry contributes 21% of the total global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN Environment Programme’s Global Status Report for Buildings and Construction, making it one of the most significant industry contributors.

Waste and emissions reduction must be at the forefront of construction strategies to align with Net Zero targets, but achieving this goal is a complex challenge requiring systemic shifts.

While lean manufacturing, circular economy principles, offsite construction, and high-performance materials provide potential solutions, their implementation can be hindered by financial constraints, resistance to change and gaps in policy enforcement.

To tackle waste, developers are increasingly adopting lean manufacturing principles and circular economy strategies.

Lean manufacturing

Lean manufacturing aims to streamline production processes, eliminating inefficiencies and reducing material waste through precision design and controlled fabrication environments.

In theory, this benefits both the environment and profitability. However, traditional construction, unlike industries such as automotive or electronics, deals with highly variable and site-specific conditions, making standardisation more challenging.

Circular economy principles

A circular economy approach, which prioritises recycling, reusing and designing buildings with end-of-life sustainability in mind, is a critical strategy.

In reality, many construction materials are still not designed for disassembly or reuse, and infrastructure for material recovery remains inadequate.

While some companies are leading the way by repurposing demolition waste and implementing take-back schemes for materials, such as steel and plasterboard, widespread adoption is slow.

Expanding circular waste initiatives beyond single material recovery, such as plasterboard, to encompass a broader range of materials could improve industry-wide progress.

Offsite manufacturing

Offsite manufacturing and modular construction have gained attention for their ability to reduce waste and improve efficiency.

By shifting production to controlled factory settings, companies can reduce material offcuts, improve precision and limit the impact of human error. This approach also allows for better quality control, reducing the likelihood of rework, which is a major source of waste in traditional construction.

Additionally, by streamlining production assembly, project timelines are accelerated, reducing the amount of energy used during construction.

High-performance materials

The construction industry has seen promising advancements in high-performance and sustainable building materials, from low-carbon concrete to bio-based insulation. These materials offer improved durability and energy efficiency, but their uptake remains inconsistent due to cost considerations and supply chain limitations.

Using high-performance materials can significantly enhance energy efficiency, as demonstrated in zero carbon operational buildings, which use technology to reduce long term emissions.

While innovation in materials is advancing rapidly, without stronger regulations and incentives, traditional materials and construction methods will continue to dominate due to their familiarity and lower upfront costs.

How to reduce the environmental impact of construction

Traditional construction sites generate vast amounts of waste due to inefficient planning, over-ordering of materials and poor waste management practices. Digital tools such as Building Information Modelling (BIM) have proven effective in minimising this waste by enabling more precise material estimation and logistics planning.

Reducing site disruption and emissions from onsite activities through better logistics planning, digital coordination or alternative construction methods will also contribute to a lower environmental impact.

Yet, adoption rates remain inconsistent across the sector, particularly among smaller companies that lack the resources to implement digital solutions.

Beyond digitalisation, addressing onsite waste also requires cultural and behavioural shifts, such as segregating waste streams, composting biodegradable materials and implementing closed-loop water systems, however, these aren’t universally applied.

Many still see waste management as an operational afterthought rather than a fundamental part of the process.

What does the future look like?

The path towards a waste free construction industry is far from straightforward. While policy changes, technological advancements and industry collaboration will play a crucial role, significant challenges remain.

Stricter regulations on material circularity, incentives for waste reduction and expanded infrastructure for recycling and reuse will be necessary to drive change.

Ultimately, achieving a world beyond waste in construction requires a shift in mindset across the industry, whether that’s in traditional construction or by using alternative methods of building.

While many companies are making strides towards sustainability, without systemic changes, waste will continue to be a problem. It’s time for the industry to take proactive action rather than relying on government mandates and penalties to drive change.

The next decade is pivotal to transition to a circular, low-waste model and achieve important net zero goals.

The post What is the role of net zero in reducing construction waste? appeared first on Circular Online.

CIWM Early Careers Ambassador Dr Nadine Leder explains how a recent research project showcases the untapped potential of repair cafés.

As part of the Hodge Foundation Public Value Research Internship, Cardiff Business School student Yasmine Digby conducted a small-scale study on the role of repair cafés in communities and the challenges they face.

Supervised by myself and Professor Jin Hooi Chan at Greenwich Business School, the research involved interviews with repair café organisers across Wales and England.

The project was supported by Cardiff Business School’s RemakerSpace and repair café Wales.

What were the findings?

Findings revealed that repair cafés provide more than just repair services within a circular economy. They are inclusive, community-centred spaces that bring together people from diverse backgrounds to share skills and form lasting connections.

As a result, repair cafés support intergenerational learning, help building a community and reduce social isolation.

At the heart of these initiatives are facilitating organisations, such as repair café Wales, volunteers, local organisers, and repairers who sustain them. As repair initiatives continue to grow, there are opportunities to further strengthen their impact.

However, overcoming key challenges such as volunteer engagement, financial sustainability, and digitalisation will be essential for their continued growth.

Findings align with the ongoing conversation around the skills gap. Repair cafés continue to benefit from dedicated volunteers, many of whom are retired.

However, attracting a broader demographic, particularly younger generations, could not only strengthen long-term resilience but also support the behaviour change needed to achieve a circular economy.

By strengthening partnerships with local organisations and businesses, valuable learning and training opportunities can be generated, which help developing the capabilities of local repair café teams.

These partnerships could also serve as an incentive for younger people to get involved by allowing them to develop a diverse skill set and gain confidence through hands-on experience.

The impact of product design

Beyond volunteer management, product design also presents a key challenge. In some cases, volunteers are unable to repair products because they are not designed for repairability.

In others, repairers may have concerns about voiding warranties or facing safety and insurance issues. This highlights the need for more policies to support right to repair initiatives, ensuring that repair remains a viable and accessible option.

Financial sustainability is another key factor. Many cafés have already found effective ways to manage their funding. Some benefit from rent-free spaces, while others successfully rely on donations, grants, and local fundraising.

Exploring a range of funding streams could help ensure long-term financial sustainability and support continued growth.

Operational considerations

Repair cafés in Wales contribute to a digital repair data archive. However, given the fast pace of technological development, digitalisation across cafés could further be strengthened.

Occasionally, limited Wi-Fi access in venues can lead to challenges with repair record-keeping when needing to convert to paper-based documentation.

This can make visitor management and repair tracking more complex, highlighting the need for improved digital solutions, such as apps.

Managing visitor flow, especially during busy sessions is another operational consideration linked to digitalisation. Some cafés face difficulties in predicting demand without electronic booking systems, occasionally leading to longer wait times.

Different queue management approaches, such as pre-booking options via an electronic app can help cafés to manage busier periods while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere.

From a logistical perspective, storage and transportation of tools pose challenges, especially for cafés operating across multiple locations.

A more structured approach to tool storage, such as a shared system or a “library of things”, could improve access to equipment and reduce reliance on individual volunteers.

The future of repair cafés

Repair cafés make a meaningful contribution to sustainability and community wellbeing, but their long-term impact relies on addressing key challenges such as volunteer engagement, financial resilience and digitalisation.

Umbrella organisations, such as repair café Wales, play a vital role in supporting these initiatives by providing coordination, administrative support, and a framework for financial sustainability.

With this kind of collective infrastructure, repair cafés can continue to grow, empowering communities and strengthening the transition toward a more circular, repair-focused society.

If you’re interested in learning more about the work of repair cafés or exploring opportunities in this field, you can reach out to Repair Café Wales, or contact the authors, Dr Nadine Leder, Prof Jin Hooi Chan, and Yasmine Digby. The team will continue research into repair cafés, following the recent award of funding from the British Academy.

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