Councils have a unique opportunity to power up the circular economy – and the new Re-use Manifesto from SUEZ shows exactly where to start.
In the push to meet climate goals and protect resources, SUEZ recycling and recovery UK’s newly published Re-use Manifesto makes a bold case: the UK must transition to a fix-first, pre-loved economy. This seven-point plan outlines the changes needed to make reuse and repair the norm – not the exception. And councils are in a perfect position to turn this vision into reality.
From reducing waste to building local green jobs, the Re-use Manifesto highlights what’s at stake – and how collaboration between national policy and local action will drive the shift.
The Re-use Manifesto: A Wake-Up Call on Waste
The UK throws away over two million tonnes of electrical appliances and 70 million household items every year – a level of waste that’s totally incompatible with national Net Zero targets.
But despite corporate waste, individuals are doing their part to turn the tides:
- 48% of adults bought a second-hand item in the past year – around 26 million people.
- Gen Z and millennials are almost twice as likely to buy reused goods as those over 55.
- 42% of second-hand shoppers are driven by better value for money, while 29% cite environmental concerns.
But barriers remain. 18% are cautious of second-hand goods as they’re afraid of getting scammed, with a larger 40% of consumers are wary of the quality of re-used goods.
Why Councils Should Take the Lead
The Re-use Manifesto calls on the UK Government to:
- Cut VAT on reused and repaired goods
- Extend Right to Repair legislation
- Build skills for a repair-first workforce
- Offer warranties and accreditation to increase consumer confidence
But councils don’t need to wait for policy to shift. Local authorities already play a vital role in educating, enabling, and empowering communities to embrace re-use and repair. And the potential impact is huge.
As we’ve seen recently, local authorities up and down the country are taking action to create a more sustainable future for their residents. In particular, Camden Council encourage repairing old items instead of throwing them away their rewards programme, and Bexley’s Council provide rewards for upcycling.
If every UK household re-used or repaired just two more items a year, it would:
- Keep 23 million items in use
- Add £1.6 billion to local economies
- Create over 74,000 green jobs
The Re-use Manifesto in Action: What Councils Can Do Now
Here are four proven ways councils can bring the Re-use Manifesto to life:
1. Expand Local Re-use Infrastructure
Support the creation or expansion of re-use shops at recycling centres, like the 30 run by SUEZ, which diverted half a million items in 2023 alone and raised £3 million for charities and communities.
2. Run Campaigns That Shift Behaviour
Use gamification, communications, and education to normalise second-hand shopping. Reward programmes are a great way to create habit-forming campaigns that get residents logging real-world sustainable actions.
3. Partner with Local Repair Initiatives
Collaborate with repair cafés, charity shops, and local reuse enterprises to build trust and visibility for pre-loved options. Offer reuse accreditation schemes or promote businesses that provide extended warranties on refurbished items.
4. Make It Easy for Residents to Take Part
Create streamlined options for donation and collection of reusable goods, and offer repair services at libraries or community hubs. Use your platforms to tackle myths about quality and boost participation.
A Circular Future Starts With Local Action
As the Re-use Manifesto makes clear, fixing, reusing, and repurposing our stuff is vital to creating a sustainable future. Government – both local and national – can be the catalysts for this shift.
Together, we’ll create a future where second-hand is second nature, and where community-led climate action drives real progress.
Ready to turn your borough into a re-use champion?
Book a demo to see how Team Jump can help your council engage residents and build circular economy momentum.
