Closing the loop
"Creating opportunities for communities to share and reuse items to reduce consumption is key"
Residents voice
We want to make the most of every resource we have, reduce waste, or even stop it from happening in the first place. We want to create a district where products are made with sustainable materials then reused, repurposed, or recycled so they are used to their fullest extent.
Locally and globally people are consuming more and that has an environmental impact. The way we make and use products contributes to climate change and biodiversity loss. According to WRAP, 45% of global emissions can only be tackled by changing the way we make and consume products and food. We need to move from a linear economy to a circular one.
A linear economy is one where natural resources are taken out of the ground, turned into goods, then often put back into the ground as landfill or incinerated.
A circular economy is different. It designs out waste and pollution at the start by trying to make goods from sustainable materials, ensure goods are made to last and can be easily and affordably repaired. Then it keeps those materials in use as long as possible, increasing the sharing of products, reusing, remanufacturing, and recycling.
A circular economy might sound like an abstract future concept, but it's not. The circular economy is already contributing to reducing emissions and economic growth. A report by WRAP from November 2021, shows that in the UK between 2014 and 2019 almost 90,000 new jobs were created in the circular economy. It's expected to create 550,000 jobs by 2030.
What we have done
Across Kirklees we have a track record of taking action to shape consumer behaviour and re-use, re-imagine and re-purpose our waste. Organisations and individuals have shown how circularity is good for the planet, our pockets and is supporting residents through the cost-of-living crisis. Since 2011, Kirklees' Uniform Exchange has had 295,000 items donated, supported 182 schools and given 15,000 bags of uniform to families.
Woven In Kirklees' 2023 celebration of innovation in textiles focused on the environmental impact of textiles. As Kirklees is home to a huge number of textile manufacturers, retailers, artists, and designers it's no surprise that 15,000 people took part in over 100 events. From an Upcycled fashion show in Dewsbury, Mission to Mend roadshows and growing natural dyes, the festival linked sustainability and Kirklees' unique textile heritage.
Partner case studies
The partner case studies portray vital on-going action by partnership organisations within Kirklees for the 'Closing the Loop' theme.
Huddersfield University and the UK Fashion and Textile Association are working together to find a solution to the huge problem of fashion waste.
We throw away enough clothing every year to fill Wembley stadium 17 times over. Huddersfield University and UKFT, are developing new ways to recycling fibres and yarns for use in agriculture and in the built environment.
As well as helping solve some of the fashion industry's most pressing environmental problems, the projects are looking at how the growth of the circular economy can boost manufacturing opportunity, jobs, and the economy in Kirklees.
An example of this work is the Future Fashion Factory .
A new re-use shop, run by partner organisation Revive opened on Upperhead Row, Huddersfield in February 2023.
During its launch, over 97 tonnes of items were donated by residents to be sold on in the shop including unwanted textiles, small electricals and furniture. The delivery of this re-use shop is a milestone action within Kirklees Councils Resources and Waste Strategy, with the objective of supporting the circular economy in the district - all while raising funds for good causes and generating jobs and volunteering opportunities for local people.
Read more on the New reuse shop on the Kirklees Together website.
What we want to achieve
Zero avoidable waste by 2038
Sustainable economic development (SED)
Growing the sharing economy in Kirklees to be a national leader
Sustainable economic development (SED)
Zero avoidable waste explained
The term avoidable means eliminating waste where it is technically, environmentally, and economically practical to do so, covering all waste streams: residential, commercial, construction and industrial.
Each objective for 'Closing the loop' meets one or more of our 'Always On' priorities, Sustainable Economic Development (SED), Resilience Futures (RF), Environment for All (E4A).
Sustinable economic strategy (SED)
- Adopting circular economy principles (where little or nothing is wasted) and becoming more responsible producers and consumers.
- Putting re-purposing, reuse and repair before recycling and disposal, keeping products and materials in use for as long as possible.
- Providing separate food waste kerbside collection by 2028.
- Achieving a 60% reduction in food waste by 2030.
- Designing our buildings, industrial practices, and urban infrastructure to minimise the resources they use and the waste they produce.
- Helping Kirklees to continue its journey to be leading circular textile innovators.
- Supporting sustainably produced, locally grown and reared produce.
- Develop skills for the circular economy, creating new job opportunities and appropriate education and up-skilling resources.
- Reviewing procurement policies and practice to embrace a circular economy approach.
Resilient futures
- Securing 95% diversion from landfill by 2030.
Sustinable economic development and Environment for all
- Ensuring our decision making and policy supports a shift towards a sharing-economy.
Sustinable economic development and Resilient futures
- Making Kirklees is an epicentre for sustainable and resilient food production, consumption, and waste practices.
Our introduction explains in more detail about our ambitions for this strategy, our always on priorities that each target is underpinned by, and provides more information about each individual target. Alternatively you can download our targets plan on a page graphic.
Summary data for Closing The Loop
The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs for 2020-21 has published the latest data for local authority collected waste in Kirklees. It has been compared against Englands average.
Latest data for local authority collected waste in Kirklees
Kirklees
- Landfilled 11.6%
- Incineration with Energy from waste 64.2%
- Incineration without Energy from waste 0.5%
- Recycled-Composted 25.3%
England average
- Landfilled 7.8%
- Incineration with Energy from waste 47.7%
- Incineration without Energy from waste 0.5%
- Recycled-Composted 41.4%
The Resource and Waste Strategy 2023 has a target to achieve a recycling rate of at least 70% at household waste & recycling centres by 2030, recycle at least 65% of municipal waste by 2035 and achieve a 95% diversion from landfill rate by 2030.
