Traditionally our economy has worked in a linear way, where products and materials are made, used, and then thrown away.
In the West Midlands, we’re helping businesses adapt their practices so they can be part of the circular economy. This is an approach designed to reduce waste and pollution by reusing and repurposing products and materials that would normally be discarded.
As well as reducing the environmental impact of the economy, this also creates new opportunities and jobs in resource recovery, remanufacture and pay-per-use platforms.
The West Midlands Circular Economy Routemap
To accelerate the development of a circular economy in the region and celebrate the leadership that our businesses and universities are showing already, we have created the West Midlands Circular Economy Routemap in collaboration with partners throughout the region.
The Routemap identifies three initial priority sectors, where the region can accelerate the uptake of circular economy practises. The sectors identified are:
- Circular Manufacturing – Building on the legacy of the West Midlands as the workshop of the world.
- Circular Construction – Unlocking brownfield sites for development and embedding circular design in our construction developments.
- Circular Food – Utilising our unique and diverse network of community groups to re-design our food system.
The Routemap identifies a number of opportunities for the West Midlands across these sectors, building on the existing work being done in the region.
Circular Economy Routemap Three Year Review
Since the publication of the Routemap in 2021, the WMCA has made significant progress in moving the priorities of the Routemap into delivery. In 2024, the WMCA has commenced the delivery of a nationally significant industrial symbiosis pilot, the West Midlands Resource Reuse Network, and supported the delivery of the regions first construction materials reuse hub in the Reuse Hub, Wolverhampton. Additionally, through the Community Environment Fund, the WMCA has been able to support community groups to delivery the circular economy, through repair cafes, materials recovery projects, and community sharing initiatives.
The West Midlands Resource Reuse Network
The West Midlands Combined Authority is seeking to assist businesses in increasing the resilience of their supply chains, increase business resource efficiency, and cut the cost of doing business. One way that this can be achieved is through engagement in an industrial symbiosis network. Industrial Symbiosis (IS) is the exchange of materials or services between businesses, involving the use of one company’s waste products by another company.
The West Midlands Resource Reuse Network is a regional facilitated programme that will encourage and enable the sharing of waste and resources across the region, with a particular focus on sand, wastewater, and metals. Through a combination of site visits and events businesses will be assisted to identify and facilitate business opportunities to reduce these waste streams and deliver impact.
To find out more about the project, and to sign up, please visit here.
Repurposing to Zero
"The most sustainable building is one that is already built"
Working with the Innovation Alliance for the West Midlands, we have created a West Midlands Repurposing to Zero Framework. The Framework highlights the significant environmental, social and economic benefits to the reuse of existing spaces in the West Midlands, and outlines the practical steps that can be taken when approaching the reuse of buildings.
Compared to traditional demolish and rebuild, repurposing buildings leads to:
- 70% lower carbon emissions
- 10% reduction in cost
- 15% faster scheme delivery
As well creating financial and environmental benefits, repurposing of buildings brings significant benefits to communities, as shared heritage is preserved and refreshed leading to a greater sense of place.
For more information the Framework can be found below:
We need your help
We’re working with experts to help deliver a circular economy plan for our region, but we’re looking for your ideas too. If you have any thoughts on how we can make better use of our resources, email environment@wmca.org.uk