Rethinking how we buy, use and throw away
Everything we buy, eat and dispose of has a carbon footprint. Reducing waste and using resources more efficiently is essential to achieving net zero.
Underpinned by data from Cumbria’s Carbon Baseline Report, the Consumption, Waste and the Circular Economy Sector Group created the Emissions Reduction Action Plan (ERAP) for this sector, and it continues as a forum for stakeholders to discuss waste and circular economy emission reduction activities, share good practice, and help inform the ongoing delivery of the ERAP in support of Cumbria’s net zero ambition for 2037.
Most of the products we use follow a linear model: make, use and dispose. This approach relies heavily on finite resources, energy-intensive production and waste disposal.
We’re all consumers, and most of us depend on a wide range of resources and services every day. Some of the major contributors to the high emissions include:
A transformational shift in the way we produce, consume and manage products we no longer need is required to get the impact necessary to meet Cumbrias emission reduction targets. This transition must be led both by consumer demand for more sustainable consumption behaviours and by systemic change within the industries that supply the products we buy. This will help provide consumers with more sustainable choices while ensuring that products and materials remain in circulation for as long as possible through repair, reuse and recycling.
The current challenge for Cumbria is that the scale of the infrastructure needed to support a full circular economy is not yet in place.
The emission footprint from the millions of visitors to Cumbria is a significant contributor within this sector, and adds an extra challenge to finding solutions which meet the needs of the businesses in visitor sector which also meets the expectations of visitors.
Reducing consumption-related emissions can:
Our ‘scope’ covers emissions from household and visitor consumption of food and other products, including emissions associated with the supply chains.
Including all Cumbrian residents’ household emissions from goods and services bought and used, including food, packaging and recreational activities.
This scope includes goods and services bought and used, food, and recreational activities of visitors to Cumbria.
This scope examines the options for preventing and reducing waste. It includes: reusing, repairing, recycling and the treatment of waste.
Including the circular econonomy and supply chain.
Moving towards net zero requires changes in how products are designed, purchased, used and managed at the end of their life. The sector group’s suggested approach to tackling these emissions has been split across four strategic priorities, which you can explore below.
AVOID
Repurpose
Recycle
Disposal/recovery
Looking for more detail?
You can see the full list of recommendations the Sector Group have put forward for businesses, local authorities, communities and individuals to help achieve each of these priorities in the Consumption, Waste and Circular Economy ERAP below. See where you might be able to help!
The Emissions Reduction Pathway document sets out the strategic direction to reduce carbon emissions.
The Emissions Reduction Action Plan (ERAP) document sets out detailed proposed actions for emissions reduction.
Consumption, Waste and the Circular Economy
Success stories from across Cumbria showing how steps are being taken to reduce carbon emissions from consumption and waste.
The sector group brings together organisations with expertise in resource management, waste, food systems, business, education and behaviour change.
The group helps identify opportunities, develop action plans and support delivery of Cumbria’s transition to a circular economy.
It will be based on Guardians of Grub for delivery within hospitality organisations and submission to suitable funding programmes, led by Cumberland Council.
It will promote low-carbon purchasing, social value, sustainability, and community wealth building across Cumbria.
Sector group members meet frequently throughout the year, usually online. Meeting overviews will be shared below.
The group took forward discussions on the development and promotion of the 9 R’s framework, which aims to encourage behaviour change beyond recycling and support a more circular approach to resource use in Cumbria. Plans were agreed to develop a one-hour workshop for partners, covering the purpose of the 9 R’s, examples of good practice, carbon impacts, limitations of recycling, and ways different audiences can apply the framework. Participants also explored messaging, public engagement, and ways to make the framework accessible.
The group also reviewed the public sector procurement document that has now been drafted, calling for stronger procurement commitments for sustainable goods and services from public sector organisations and other key partners. Discussion highlighted the challenges local authorities face in embedding environmental and social value requirements into procurement, including limited resources, political priorities, and supplier capacity.
Members explored the relationship between social value and community wealth building, the potential role of local businesses and co-operatives, and the importance of aligning procurement approaches with existing council strategies. There was broad agreement that the paper should provide clear expectations, practical examples, and evidence of long-term benefits to help overcome barriers and encourage adoption.
Finally, attendees were invited to review and provide feedback on the new Zero Carbon Cumbria business support webpages. Feedback from the group and local businesses will be gathered and shared with the Futureproof Cumbria marketing team to help refine the website.
The group has recognised that many of the actions within the consumption and waste emission reduction action plan are about enabling people, businesses, and community groups to make more informed sustainable choices. Repeated exposure to information will help build habits and increase demand for local, more climate-friendly products and sustainable processes.
To support this, the group is developing a communications campaign focused on nine ‘R’s of waste and material management – the things we no longer use. Using guidance, stories, and statistics, the campaign will aim to help people manage waste more effectively.
Reduce, reuse, recycle, refuse, rethink, reclaim, repair, refill and recharge!
If there are any organisations that would like to be involved in the campaign and access the resources once developed please email consumption@zerocarboncumbria.co.uk
Another area the group sees as crucial to progress is ensuring that procurement policy and buying power help build resilient, sustainable supply chains. A document is being drafted for the Cumbria Anchor Network, asking members to show leadership and commit to stronger contract conditions that place greater value on low-carbon, local supply chains, while also supporting the community wealth-building agenda through new economic activity within the county.
These two discussions have made up 2 of the 3 priorities for the group to focus on in the short term.
A letter of support was also signed by the group to Government, lead by the Green Alliance to publish the Circular Economy strategy for England which was due last year.
Priorities:
1 – Finalise and deliver The Power of 9 – Cumbria’s Waste Revolution. Develop a delivery framework for all partners to help amplify consistent messages over the next 12 months about best practice in consumption and waste, and the benefits to people and planet of rethinking habits at every stage. Plan a webinar session for partners to learn more about the resources and how to use them.
2 – Develp a climate-friendly food and food-waste reduction project based on Guardians of Grub, delivered more directly within hospitality organisations, for submission to the National Lottery or another suitable funding scheme (led by Cumberland Council).
3 – Develop a procurement document, charter, or shared ask for the Cumbria Anchor Network (made up of Cumbria’s public sector organisations and other key partners) to consider commitments to stronger procurement conditions. This should focus on products and services that prioritise low carbon, maximise social value, and deliver strong environmental and sustainability impacts, while also supporting community wealth building in Cumbria.
If you feel you’d have something to contribute to a sector group meeting, get in touch to request an invite.
The Zero Carbon Cumbria Partnership is driving change through the work of its four Sector Groups, which focus on the main sources of emissions in Cumbria.
To get involved and find out more about the Partnership, please contact Partnership Manager, Michael Robinson.
