Creative collaborations for a circular economy

The new UK Plastic Packaging Tax, effective from April 2022, is designed to incentivise businesses to reduce their use of plastic packaging overall. And, where packaging is needed, ensure it's recycled, and recyclable.

But this tax isn't really just about plastic, or packaging.

It's yet one more example of various current and upcoming legislations connected to resource preservation and re-use, which are all part of the zero-waste, ‘circular economy'.

The circular economy is where products and materials (those we can't curb our use of to begin with) stay in circulation, being passed around for repair, reinvention and re-use high up within the system - so nothing is made from new materials when it could have been repurposed from old ones, and nothing drops out of the system into incineration or landfill. 

Waste is designed out of the system; nothing goes to waste.

It’s a bit like a game of keepy-uppy, except, instead of a ball, it's the things we usually throw away that we’re keeping up in the air. But, happily, in this case, we don't have to play alone - we can pass the ball to others to keep it in the game.

And there are many different players inspiring us where we mightn’t think to look.

Take food, for example: Shellworks is developing a solution where they collect discarded seafood shells from the food and hospitality industry, and turn them into a biodegradable, compostable plastic packaging alternative for multiple industries. The shells stay out of landfill; new materials are not required for packaging.

Or fashion: Elvis & Kresse, a luxury accessories brand, ONLY works with waste materials, such as London Fire Brigade’s decommissioned rubber hoses, designed into a range of limited edition handbags. The hoses stay out of landfill; new materials are not required for fashion accessories.

Or construction: Gjenge_Makers collects varied industrial plastic waste, and turns it into a sustainable and affordable alternative solution to paving blocks - all while operating as a social enterprise for marginalised communities. The plastic stays out of landfill; new materials are not required for paving blocks.

There’s definitely a pattern here...

Legislation will limit wasteful practices further as the 2030 climate deadline approaches. But our ingenuity is unlimited, and it's how we'll play the long game.

• How can you design your products for minimal waste and maximum re-use?

• Is there anything you should stop using/producing?

• What products or services could you offer/source that help someone keep THEIR waste out of the ground?

• Who can help you keep YOUR waste out of the ground?

• And what new success measure can be unlocked by this whole new conscious level of production and partnerships?

Think broadly, not reactively, and remember to look well outside your bubble. The network you need for the future extends far beyond industry lines.