The research, ‘Material Oxford’, is the first stage in a process for the city of understand the flow of natural resources that underpin its ability to function so that it can make informed choices about how to manage its footprint in the future.
circular economy
Sweden paying people to fix things
To combat its ‘throwaway consumer culture’, Sweden has announced tax breaks on repairs to clothes, bicycles, fridges and washing machines. On bikes and clothes, VAT has been reduced from 25% to 12% and on white goods consumers can claim back income tax due on the person doing the work.
Recycling won’t solve the waste dilemma, but consumers can
Speaking to the World Economic Forum (WEC) during a live Facebook webinar, TerraCycle’s chief executive Tom Szaky claimed that the world “can’t recycle [it’s] way out of waste” and instead called on individuals to tweak shopping habits in order to promote durable and used products.
Remade in Edinburgh: inspiring reuse and repair
Sophie Unwin of Remade in Edinburgh has written an article on Scotland’s Common Space web site about how learning to repair and reuse benefits the community. Remade in Edinburgh teaches repair and reuse skills, and sells recycled and upcycled IT equipment and furniture.
Businesses will play ‘crucial role’ in the UK’s transition to low-carbon cities
The creation of low-carbon, sustainable British cities can only be addressed through collaboration between the public sector and innovative green businesses. That was the overwhelming view of sustainable leaders from UK cities who gathered at an event hosted by the London Borough Sutton to share experiences, strategies and case-studies of best-practice approaches to delivering sustainable […]