Circular Economy
What is the Circular Economy?
The Ellen MacArthur Foundation defines the circular economy as "a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. In a circular economy, products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling and composting".
This is wider than just looking at domestic waste recycling and even just waste minimisation. It is a system wide approach to resource management which recognises that there is a finite amount of resource which needs to be managed in a more sustainable way.
The City of London Corporation recognises the need to make this transition and has included this as a key action in its Corporate Plan 2024 - 2029 to: "Implement a Circular Economy Strategy and embed circular economy principles into our building projects".
What does this mean for the City of London?
In January 2025, the City Corporation launched our Circular Economy Framework which outlines our mission to "exemplify, drive and innovate circular practices, leading the Square Mile as a circular city by 2040". We aim to do this by supporting and educating everyone who lives, works, learns and explores in the City to adopt circularity.
The Circular Economy Framework outlines our action plan to 2027, looking at where the City can take action ourselves within the City Corporation and where we can use our influence to drive circularity across the Square Mile. The initial action plan sets out our aims to embed circularity into a number of key services and baseline the data we have around our circular performance. The areas of particular focus are:
- Waste and Resources
- Portfolio and Capital Projects
- Supply Chain
- Built Environment
- Food and Drink
- Training and Engagement
Reduction and Recycling Plan
Under the Mayor of London's Environment Strategy (LES), all London Boroughs are required to develop a Reduction and Recycling Plan covering the 2018 - 2022 period and more recently, the 2023 - 2025, period which sets out how each London Borough will work towards the objectives of the LES. View the City of London's RRP. This supports the Circular Economy Framework through the actions set to reduce waste and increase recycling.
Practical ways to embed circularity
Individuals
Reduce single use plastics
- Always carry reusable bags, bottles / coffee cups, cutlery and a straw.
Keep food in use for longer
- Plan meals and store food to make it last longer.
- Campaigns such as Eat Like a Londoner and Love Food Hate Waste provide help to get you started.
- Apps such as Olio, Kitche and Too Good to Go allow you to claim food at a reduced price or share your excess food with others.
- Donate or leave food in community fridges for others to benefit from.
Drinking fountains
- Our interactive map helps you find water fountains with the City to refill your water bottle.
- Most Network Rail stations will allow you to fill your water bottle for free.
Businesses
Supply Chain Assessments
- Do new things always need to be bought, can items be refurbished rather than disposed.
- Collaborate with other businesses who may need an item you have and vice versa to avoid unnecessary disposal.
Employee and customer education
- Make sure both employees and customers understand what the Circular Economy is and why it is important to maintain it.
- Encourage customers to use reusable coffee cups in canteen areas and promote the benefits.
If you feel you are a business who already practices Circularity within your organisation and would like to be awarded for this, then please enter into our Clean City Award Scheme to be recognised for your actions.