City shows the way to a circular economy

The council is leading the way on building a blueprint for growing a sustainable and inclusive economy.

The Circular Economy Routemap and Action Plan 2025-35 builds on the council’s pioneering circular economy activity and will further embed circular principles within the council and across the city.

We have cemented our position as a national and regional leader in circular economy practices, developing innovation locally and working alongside the UK government as a “pathfinder” authority on England’s first national Circular Economy Strategy – The Circular Economy Growth Plan.

In a circular economy, instead of a ‘take-make-dispose’ model where raw materials are extracted and made into products that are later thrown away, materials are kept in circulation through reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling and composting. This reduces waste by making use of renewable resources.

Brighton & Hove’s Circular Economy Routemap and Action Plan, developed with local stakeholders, prioritises sectors with the greatest potential for transformation. These include construction and the built environment, the visitor and creative industries, food systems and digital innovation.

On Thursday 22 January, the council’s cabinet approved the plan.

Councillor Tim Rowkins, Cabinet member for Net Zero and Environmental Services, said: “Our circular economy action plan recognises the city’s massive potential to design out waste in products and keep them in use for longer, as well as strengthen local supply chains and find ways to regenerate natural resources.

“We already have some amazing businesses leading the way, and we’ve set out a vision that will promote further innovation and develop new skills and jobs, while also keeping wealth in the city.

“The action plan supports collaboration between businesses, research institutions, and communities, strengthening the city’s pioneering circular economy activities. This has been picked up by national policy makers, putting us at the forefront of the circular transition.”

Local circular economy projects include: 

• Climate for Communities, empowering neighbourhood initiatives such as repair cafés, reuse hubs, and sharing schemes.
• The South East England Hub 4 Circularity, working across the city and region on initiatives to reduce waste in construction, water and food.
• The University of Brighton’s Southeast Remanufacturing Catalyst, improving the economic and environmental sustainability of manufacturing processes.
• Brighton & Hove Food Partnership’s Food Use Project, tackling food and packaging waste with 16 community organisations across East Sussex that use food in their work.

From 2026 the council will monitor and report on the share of reused and reusable materials on new building projects.

At the same cabinet meeting, councillors will decide whether to sign the Circular Cities Declaration, which would give Brighton & Hove access to funding and innovation programmes, as well as opportunities to collaborate with other cities.