The BLUEPRINT Circular Economy Roadshow is Coming

Leah Martin, BLUEPRINT Project Communications Lead 13th April 2022

Whether you’re a circular economy guru or brand new to the concept, you’re not going to want to miss our upcoming event series. Taking place between 9-13 May 2022, these free virtual sessions feature a range of exciting speakers from the worlds of policy, fashion, construction and more.  

You can view the full agenda on our BLUEPRINT Circular Economy Roadshow landing page, where you can also sign up to as many sessions as you like. If you’re not sure which sessions are best for you, find more details about some of our exciting events below.  

Lessons learned from cross-border circular economy projects, Monday 9 May, 11:00-12:30 

BLUEPRINT to a Circular Economy is one of many cross-border projects helping to accelerate the transition towards a circular economy. This ambitious journey will only be successful if local and national government, research institutions, private businesses, charities and citizens come together with a common goal. That’s exactly what these exciting projects are trying to achieve!  

Join this session to hear from: 

  • Cool Food Pro – An Interreg FCE project aiming to increase sustainability and food security within the catering industry. 

  • Upcycle Your Waste – Funded by Interreg Two Seas, this project supports small and medium-sized enterprises turning waste into resources.  

  • Citizen Involvement in Circular Economy Implementation (CECI) – With funding from Interreg Europe, CECI will create action plans to turn citizen insight into solutions for circular economy development.  

  • Preventing Plastic Pollution (PPP) – Funded by Interreg FCE, PPP will embed behaviour change in businesses and communities to reduce the impact of plastic pollution in the marine environment.  

Register for this session. 

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Making recycling in flat blocks and HMOs work, Tuesday 10 May, 11:00-12:40 

Looking at London flats alone, flat block residents recycle just 10% of their waste and experience higher-than-average rates of recycling contamination, at around 31% (Peabody). 

In this BLUEPRINT Circular Economy Roadshow session, you’ll hear how different local authorities have tackled this growing challenge with targeted campaigns and innovative projects. Speakers from ReLondon, Manchester City Council, PECT and Ashford Borough Council will outline their programmes of work and answer any questions you have about potential campaigns in your local authority.  

Register for this session.  

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No more fast fashion: The role of textiles in the circular economy, Wednesday 11 May, 15:00-17:00 

Did you know the UK produces over 206,000 tonnes of textile waste a year? This equates to 3.6kg per Brit, with each individual recycling just 0.3kg of clothing (Circular). In this session, you’ll hear from designers and organisations changing the way we think about fashion. 

Register today to find out how Elvis & Kresse turns reclaimed materials into beautiful accessories, and how TRAID is diverting waste from landfill through waste management, recycling and education. Attendees will also hear about the BLUEPRINT Wardrobe Survey from project partners EcoWise and learn about circular fashion business models and partnerships from QSA Partners

Register for this session. 

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Training and skill development for a circular economy, Thursday 12 May, 14:00-15:45 

In June 2021, the CIWM issued its “Skills for the Future” report, outlining the competencies required for a more circular waste sector. The BLUEPRINT to a Circular Economy Project is excited to announce that the CIWM President, Dr Adam Read, and CIWM professional Services Director, Katie Cockburn, will be presenting some of the report’s key findings at this informative session.  

Attendees will also hear from Hannah Lane, Strategic Director of Partnerships and Communications at Redress. This environmental NGO is working to reduce waste in the fashion industry through takeback schemes, consumer information and educating future designers. Drawing on her 10 years of experience within the sustainability field, Hannah will outline the skills required to succeed in the emerging circular fashion industry.  

Register for this session. 

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Putting reuse and waste prevention on the map in local authority waste strategies, Friday 13 may, 09:00-10:30 

As we move towards a circular economy, local authorities will be transitioning away from waste management and towards reuse and waste prevention. In this session, attendees will hear from circular local authorities and organisations helping them on their circular journeys. 

Chaired by Matthew Homer, the Waste Strategy Manager at London Borough of Islington, this session will feature presentations from Hampshire County Council and Devon County Council on how they’re moving towards a more circular community. Claire Donnovan, Campaigns Manager at End Furniture Poverty, will also present on the charity’s work supporting local authorities to repurpose disused items.  

Register for this session. 

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