The things we buy are linked to climate change because they use energy, and some of that energy comes from burning oil and gas. Products use energy while they are being made and because of how they reach us. When we throw stuff away, waste is sent to landfill sites where it generates more polluting emissions. Growing our economy by simply buying more stuff and throwing it away is unsustainable: we use up too many finite natural resources and generate too much waste and pollution. Instead, growing a ‘circular’ economy reduces raw materials and fossil fuel energy dramatically while creating new jobs and services locally.
Learn more about the positive impacts
Stories
Featured initiatives
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DacorumOne Impossible Thing – Sports Shoe Network
Circular EconomyCollecting preloved sports shoes to redistribute them for free to those that need a little extra help.
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WiltshireDevizes Swap Shop
Circular EconomyReducing waste and helping families by swapping instead of shopping.
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Yorkshire and the HumberWarp It
Circular EconomyHelping organisations keep equipment, assets and ‘stuff’ circulating.
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Kensington and ChelseaTeam Repair
Circular EconomyTackling e-waste from our throwaway society with repair education.
The circular economy is not just an environmental solution; it’s an economic and social opportunity waiting to be seized.
Dame Ellen MacArthur
Blog
Recommended reads
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Healthcare is a climate story
Healthcare is a conundrum: how can an industry built to protect health be less polluting and better for our health?
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Buildings & Places, Circular Economy, Food and Agriculture, Local Powers, Nature, Renewable Energy, TransportEarth Day 2026: How is growing a Changeprint about more than carbon?
We discuss how Changeprint encourages local action that focuses on specific place-based needs – rather than emissions alone.
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Recommended listen
From Footprint to Changeprint
How do some local climate initiatives create such remarkable impact? Find out in this special video podcast episode.