Our vision is for a thriving Circular Economy where communities and local businesses help to keep resources in use for as long as possible without them being discarded. Here are some ideas that your community could take up to be a part of this, with links to get you started.
We would love to hear about your circular economy projects and ideas. You may also be able to apply for funding through our Community Chest, Zero Carbon Communities (ZCC), and Sustainable City grants.
Food projects
A Community Fridge is a space where anyone can share surplus food, and anyone else can take it to save food waste. A local example is Gamlingay Food Project. You can find out more about setting one up from environment charity Hubbub.
Olio is a smartphone app which connects surplus food from shops and restaurants with local people who can use it.
Community meal projects provide meals for local communities to enjoy together from food which would otherwise go to waste. A local example is Cambridge FoodCycle.
Community composting projects are where a group of neighbours 'home compost' together. For example, the co-housing community at Marmalade Lane in Cambridge have communal composting bins for residents, which are maintained by their gardening group. The compost is used on their allotments for growing veg for shared meals. You can read more about home composting on our dedicated web page.
Clothing projects
A Swish is a fun swap event where you bring unwanted items of clothing in good condition and choose from those that others have brought. A local example is Histon Swish. You can borrow all the kit to run your own event from Cambridge Carbon Footprint.
Clothing Amnesty events are a great way to donate clothing. Schools or PTAs are well-placed to run amnesties for Christmas jumpers, school uniform, World Book Day outfits or Halloween costumes. A local example is Cottenham Primary School PTCA.
Sharing projects
A Library of Things is just that – instead of borrowing books, you can borrow tools and appliances which you only need occasionally. A local example is the Swavesey Sheddit mobile tool library.
Toy Libraries often run regular playgroups with an option to borrow large toys for a small membership or one-off fee and deposit. A local example is Sawston Toy Library.
Village ‘freebies’ or ‘Life Is A Gift’ Facebook groups help neighbours to pass on unwanted items that still have life in them. To set one up you just need to have a Facebook account to manage the group. A local example is Freebies in Cambourne.
Cloth nappy libraries allow parents to try out different types of washable nappy before purchasing to see which work best for them. A local example is Cambridge Nappy Library in Cottenham.
Repair projects
A Skills Share event brings people together who want to learn new skills. A local example is Sew Positive’s ‘make your clothes last longer’ workshops.
Repair Café events bring together skilled volunteers with people who have broken household items - from toasters to jeans. There are over 30 Repair Cafés around our area, but if there isn’t one near you already, there is great support to get one started from Cambridgeshire Repair Café Network.
Refill projects
Installing a water fountain in your community, or encouraging local businesses to become Refill hubs and display a window sticker, can help people avoid single-use plastic bottles. A local example is Fen Ditton Parish Council.
Restoration and upcycling projects
Upcycling is taking something like a piece of furniture, which is no longer fit for its original purpose, and re-inventing it into something new. A local example of a charitable upcycling venture is at the Emmaus charity shop in Landbeach.
Re-use projects
Creating and giving away re-usable items like cloth shopping bags encourages a move away from disposable items. A local example is the collaboration between Trumpington Stitchers sewing group and The Cambridge Period Project to make cloth pads for those experiencing period poverty.