We buy, we use, products get old, scuffed or outdated and then we throw them away. In 2024 in Scotland, 2.32 million tonnes of household waste was generated. An increase of 10,000 tones from 2023.
The Circular Economy focuses on the reuse of materials. Reusing, refurbishing, repairing, repurposing and giving products a longer life to reduce waste.
Lets take a look at some initiatives in Edinburgh that are working towards a reusable future,
The Edinburgh Remakery – Find out more here
Repairing & selling laptops and unused tech, they also reuse fabric to create new items and have a huge focus on the circular economy and whilst doing this? They’re teaching people how to do the same, supporting those in digital poverty and providing education and training.
📍 The Edinburgh Remakery, 13A Newkirkgate, Leith, EH6 6AD
Sanitree – Find out more here
Sanitree make reusable pads from organic cotton. Each year, 2 billion period products (est 200,000 tonnes) are disposed of down toilets in the UK. Using one of Sanitree’s full cycle kits for 2 years, saves 572 disposable pads from landfill, this is the equivalent to 2,288 worth of plastic bags. Packaging is made using textile offcuts which would otherwise go to waste.
The Bike Station – Find out more here
The Bike Station repair and re-sell bikes for people to enjoy all over again. In 2025 alone they refurbished 2323 bikes, whilst also running free community sessions where they teach people how to fix their own bikes. They also run a “Wee Bike Library” for kids to borrow bikes until they outgrow them & adult cargo bikes, with 2512 loans so far!
📍 473 Gorgie Road, Edinburgh, EH11 3AD
📍 141 Lauriston Place, Edinburgh, EH3 9JN
📍 284 High St, Perth PH1 5QS
Shrub Coop – Find out more here
SHRUB started in response to the throwaway culture at universities with students having to buy new things at the start of the academic year and being unable to take these things home with them upon uni finishing. With Shrub you can fix your bike, mend your clothes, enjoy rescued food and engage with other people committed to sustainability.
Wee Spoke Hub, 13 Guthrie Street, EH1 1JG
📍 Food Sharing Hub, Pavilion Cafe, Melville Drive, EH9 1JZ
📍 Sewing sessions, Tollcross Community Centre, EH3 9QS
Focusing on a circular economy
- Reduces waste & carbon emissions
- Protects natural resources
- Creates local jobs
Waste reduction supports emissions reduction. But not only this, becoming more circular means we send less to landfill, we reduce pollution, and we support biodiversity. At an alarming rate, resources are depleting, and this is considered a sustainable development issue due to the wrong actions.
Reducing waste, recycling and bringing old items to life creates jobs and brings money into the local economy, benefitting everyone living there!
Want to find out more about organisations in Edinburgh working towards a circular economy? Send us an e-mail here!
