Local Businesses Showcase Pioneering Circular Economy Business Models, Products, and Services
West Kirby, a thriving coastal town nestled along the picturesque Dee Estuary, has long been a hub of environmental innovation and community-driven sustainability initiatives. In recent years, a growing number of local businesses have embraced the principles of the circular economy, implementing pioneering models, products, and services that are reshaping the way residents and visitors experience the town.
Now, this might seem counterintuitive…
Circular Economy Takes Root in West Kirby
The shift towards a circular economy has been a gradual but deliberate process in West Kirby. Spearheaded by engaged local government policies, community programs, and the entrepreneurial spirit of local business owners, the town has emerged as a regional leader in sustainable practices.
West Kirby’s Municipal Sustainability Strategy, launched in 2019, has provided a robust framework for driving circular economy initiatives across the area. The strategy outlines ambitious goals to divert 90% of municipal waste from landfills, increase the use of renewable energy to 50% of total consumption, and establish a comprehensive circular procurement policy for all local government operations by 2025.
To support these objectives, the West Kirby Sustainability Office has partnered with the Circular Economy Club to facilitate knowledge-sharing, capacity-building, and collaborative projects among local businesses. This includes organizing an annual Circular Economy Showcase event, where pioneering companies demonstrate their innovative circular solutions and connect with potential partners and customers.
Local Businesses Lead the Charge
The Circular Economy Showcase has shone a spotlight on the inspiring work being done by West Kirby’s local businesses. From product design to service delivery, these companies are redefining traditional linear business models and embracing the principles of reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Redesigning Products for Circularity
One such example is Acme Plastics, a family-owned manufacturer that has transformed its production processes to align with circular economy principles. “We recognized that the linear ‘take-make-waste’ model was no longer sustainable, both for our business and the environment,” explains Jill Simmons, Acme’s Sustainability Manager. “So, we set out to redesign our products and rethink our entire supply chain.”
Acme’s flagship product, a durable plastic container used in the food service industry, now features 100% recycled content and is designed for easy disassembly and material recovery at the end of its life. The company has also established a take-back scheme, allowing customers to return used containers for processing and reintegration into the production cycle.
“Our goal is to create a truly closed-loop system where our products never become waste,” says Simmons. “By designing for circularity and engaging our customers, we’re able to keep materials in use for as long as possible, while also reducing our environmental footprint.”
Innovating through Service-Based Models
Another West Kirby business that has embraced the circular economy is Green Furniture, a local manufacturer of high-quality office furniture. Rather than selling their products outright, Green Furniture offers a furniture-as-a-service model, where customers pay a monthly fee to access the furniture they need.
“The traditional model of selling furniture and then having it end up in landfills just doesn’t make sense anymore,” explains CEO Mark Pritchard. “By retaining ownership of the products and maintaining them through regular refurbishment and upgrades, we can substantially extend their useful life and reduce waste.”
The service-based approach also allows Green Furniture to better track the materials in their products, enabling them to recycle and reuse components at the end of each lease cycle. This, in turn, reduces the company’s reliance on virgin raw materials and strengthens its circular economy credentials.
Closing the Loop through Recycling
West Kirby is also home to Eco Collect, a local social enterprise that has pioneered innovative recycling solutions for the community. Eco Collect operates a network of reverse vending machines throughout the town, where residents can deposit a variety of materials, including plastic bottles, aluminum cans, and even old electronics.
“We recognized that traditional municipal recycling programs weren’t capturing the full spectrum of waste generated by households and businesses,” says Eco Collect’s founder, Sarah Wilson. “By making it easy and rewarding for people to recycle, we’re able to divert a much larger volume of materials from landfills and incineration.”
The materials collected by Eco Collect are then sorted, processed, and sent to specialist recyclers, with the revenue generated from the sale of these recyclables being reinvested into community-based environmental initiatives. The enterprise has also launched a materials marketplace, connecting local businesses with a steady supply of secondary raw materials to incorporate into their own production processes.
Empowering the Community through Circularity
Beyond product and service innovations, West Kirby’s local businesses are also leveraging the circular economy to drive broader community engagement and impact. Eco Workshops, a social enterprise that offers educational programs and hands-on workshops, has been at the forefront of this effort.
“We believe that the circular economy is not just about business practices, but about empowering people to be active participants in the sustainable transformation of their community,” says Eco Workshops’ director, Alice Pearson. “Through our programs, we teach residents of all ages practical skills like repair, upcycling, and urban gardening, while also fostering a deeper understanding of the circular economy principles.”
The organization’s popular “Repair Cafes” have become a fixture in West Kirby, where volunteers help residents mend their broken household items instead of discarding them. Eco Workshops also partners with local schools to deliver circular economy-themed lessons and organize community-wide cleanup events.
“By engaging the community directly, we’re not only reducing waste and conserving resources, but also cultivating a sense of ownership and pride in the circular economy transformation happening in West Kirby,” Pearson adds.
Circular Economy Fuels West Kirby’s Sustainable Future
The innovative circular economy initiatives spearheaded by West Kirby’s local businesses are having a tangible impact on the community. According to the West Kirby Sustainability Office, the town has achieved a 75% waste diversion rate from landfills, with a growing proportion of this waste being recycled or repurposed through local programs.
The success of these circular economy efforts has also translated into economic benefits for the town. Acme Plastics, Green Furniture, and Eco Collect have all reported significant cost savings through their resource efficiency and waste reduction initiatives, allowing them to reinvest in further growth and expansion. Additionally, the town’s reputation as a hub of environmental innovation has attracted new businesses and visitors, bolstering the local economy.
“West Kirby’s embrace of the circular economy has been a true community-wide effort, with local government, businesses, and residents all playing a vital role,” says Jessica Harrington, the town’s Sustainability Coordinator. “By working together to rethink the way we produce, consume, and dispose of resources, we’re not only protecting the environment, but also building a more resilient and prosperous future for our town.”
As West Kirby continues to lead the way in circular economy practices, the town serves as an inspiring example for other communities seeking to harness the power of sustainable business models and community engagement to drive lasting change. The achievements of these local pioneers demonstrate that the circular economy is not just a lofty concept, but a tangible and profitable path towards a more sustainable future.
Visit West Kirby Today to stay up to date on the latest news, events, and initiatives shaping the town’s circular economy transformation.
Tip: Keep an eye on local council announcements for updates
