Everything we buy and throw away has a carbon footprint. A circular economy- where we reduce waste, reuse and repair items, and recycle materials- helps cut emissions and conserve resources. By making smarter choices, from buying only what we need to managing waste more efficiently, we can reduce our impact.
Discover practical knowledge, case studies, training and sign posting to help you understand more about what we need to do to reduce carbon emissions in Cumbria.
Dive into each strategic priority below.
The best way to cut waste is to prevent it in the first place. Choosing durable, long lasting products and only buying what we need reduces waste, saves money, and lower emissions from production and disposal. Small changes in how we shop can make a big difference.
A toolkit from WWF to teach students the environmental impact of school lunch.
WRAP want to get more and more people across the UK talking about why buying loose fruit and vegetables is better.
Cumbrian food businesses have been benefitting from WRAPs Guardians of grub food waste reduction campaign. Supported by Cumbria Tourism, the Local Authorities and Chamber of Commerce there have been lots of opportunities to look at innovative ways to reduce food waste and potentially saving money. Read more
Case study: Cedar Manor, Cumbria
More about Guardians of Grub
The Too Good To Go app shows you which cafes, restaurants, bakeries and/or stores in your local area have perfectly good food left over for you to save and enjoy at half of the price or less.
Our project manager Laura, is raising awareness of the carbon impact of producing and serving food. Find out more
Giving items a second life through repairing, repurposing, or sharing helps reduce waste and save resources. Composting food and garden waste keeps organic materials out of landfill and also cuts methane emissions. By making the most of what we have, we can create a more circular, sustainable Cumbria.
Read about a few of the things people are doing:
(keeping resources in use by reducing waste, reusing materials and recycling, instead of throwing things away).
Three businesses offer insights into their journeys into a circular economy Watch webinar with the CE-Hub
ZCC held this webinar as part of the their climate café series. Listen back to hear about the positive benefits of transitioning to a circular economy, cutting harmful waste and emissions, save money, conserve natural resources, protect the environment, increase food security, and help improve public health. Watch webinar
Westmorland and Furness Council supported by Innovate UK’s Pathfinder funding, are exploring innovative circular solutions for rural net zero in Cumbria. They ran a survey earlier this year and we will update you when the results are published.
Rebuild based in Carlisle is working with the construction, to re-purpose surplus materials.
Find out more about the Rebuild site
Case study: the Rebuild site, Carlisle
West port Windows from Maryport have been working hard to be at the forefront of energy, environmental and waste initiatives in the window and door manufacturing industry. Read more about what they’ve been doing to reduce their environmental impact, work with their supply chains and are meeting the demands from customers looking for more sustainable products.
Newly created Cumbria Clothing Collective is raising awareness of the impacts of our decisions about our clothing and how we can buy and wear better and give life to some of our favourite items. Interested to know more about circular economy in the textile industry? take a look at the Institute of Positive Fashion who are working with 50 SME’s to decarbonise their supply chains.
Green Alliance have just released a new study of ten businesses that show how circular economy models deliver real benefits at scale.
These companies are opening new markets by keeping products and materials in use longer, while creating profits from value that would otherwise be lost. They’re building fairer supply chains through agreements like whole crop purchases that guarantee farmers income and give retailers reliable ingredient sources.
Circular operations also create jobs and preserve skills in local communities, with reuse and repair networks strengthening community links while providing affordable goods. Just like Manchester’s Renew Hub – which Zero Carbon Cumbria partners visited last year – these businesses prove that going circular benefits both the planet and the bottom line.
Read the report
Watch the webinar
Embleton Spa have reduced their food waste by installing large scale hot composting. Find out more
Cumbrias Master Composters (under Garden Organic) are working with the local authorities to develop and deliver a Compost Volunteer Scheme, with the aim of encouraging householders to compost their food and garden waste Find out more
A vegan / vegetarian cafe is sourcing food more locally, reducing it’s use of plastic and using locally roasted coffee.
Recycling keeps valuable materials in use and reduces the need for new materials. Ensuring items like glass, metal and plastic are properly sorted and recycled helps cut emissions and save resources. The more we recycle, the less waste ends up in landfill.
Read about a few of the things people are doing:
Recycle Week is the Recycle Now campaign’s annual flagship event. It’s the one week of the year where retailers, brands, waste management companies, trade associations, governments and the media come together to achieve one goal: to galvanise the public into recycling more of the right things, more often. Read more
This report highlights how a business can improve waste management and boost recycling efficiencies, not only to reduce environmental impact but also to drive cost savings and help meet waste reduction targets.
From the 31st March 2025 recycling for businesses changed. Read this handy 5 step from WRAP to ensure you are compliant with the new regulations. Business of Recycling | WRAP
Waste management plays a big role in tackling climate change. Reducing landfill waste, improving collection systems, and using waste as a resource – such as generating energy from organic materials- can all help lower emissions.
We are in the process of gathering data and stories for this strategic priority, so please check back soon.