Using fewer resources
The first priority in a more circular economy is to avoid unnecessary waste and use fewer resources in the first instance.
There is evidence that in terms of the UK’s footprint we use the equivalent of 2.9 planets to provide the resources we use and to absorb the waste we produce.
This demand is already placing the environment under pressure.
A more circular approach should:
- minimise the resources required in producing goods and services
- minimise waste
- use recycled materials
- change business model to a service/rental where possible.
How this can benefit your business
- reduces your manufacturing costs
- reduces your cost of waste disposal to landfill
- increases your competitiveness
- reduces your impact on the environment.
What you can do
Getting started
- Use our Sustainable Practice checklist
Take the first steps on your cost saving journey to resource efficiency
Review your processes
- WRAP (including WRAP NI): Monitoring and evaluation guidance
- Zero Waste Scotland: Measure and monitor your business waste
- Business Energy Scotland: Measure and monitor your energy use
- WRAP (including WRAP NI): Rethink waste
- Zero Waste Scotland: Make a waste prevention plan
- Ellen Macarthur Foundation Circulyrics tool
Reduce your food waste
- WRAP (including WRAP NI): Reducing food waste
- Zero Waste Scotland: Food waste reduction plan
- WRAP (including WRAP NI) and LFHW Scotland: Love Food Hate Waste
Contribute to relevant UK Voluntary Agreements, for example:
See this guide's pages on design, reuse, repair, remanufacture and recycling. All of these contribute to waste prevention, helping to ensure the economy can grow without increasing our resource use.
Use advice about resource efficiency and free practical help from a range of organisations.
Further information
- WRAP (including WRAP NI): Technical support to businesses
- Zero Waste Scotland: How we can help your business
- WRAP (including WRAPNI): Waste prevention and reduction case studies
- Business Energy Scotland: Make your Business Greener
- Zero Waste Scotland: Resource efficiency case studies