Green and circular economy.

We want to see a greener, healthier Hackney, where our response to the climate emergency brings opportunities for residents and businesses. This includes lowering bills, improving our health, and creating new green jobs.

On this page

“Borough-wide emissions need to reach net zero by 2040 at the latest, ten years earlier than the target set by the UK government”
— Climate Action Plan 2023-2030

What is a circular economy?

The circular economy aims to extend product life through reuse, repair, and recycling, treating waste as a valuable resource. By getting more out of what we use for longer, a circular economy reduces consumption, waste and ultimately carbon emissions.

To support this transition, the Council’s Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan (CESAP) 2025-28 outlines Hackney’s shift from a "take-make-dispose" model to a circular one. This initiative aims to achieve net zero, bolster the local green economy, and help residents save money.

Read the CESAP summary or the full version.

  • The Climate Action Plan (CAP) sets out an integrated approach to tackling the climate and ecological crisis. It provides a framework for everyone to take action to reduce emissions and adapt to the climate change that is already occurring, driven by an ambitious vision for a greener Hackney.

    Read the summary here.

    Read the full Draft Climate Action Plan Here.

    Read the Circular Economy Strategy and Action Plan (2025-28)

  • The Circular Hackney Knowledge Base toolkit aims to help businesses in Hackney to transition and thrive in the circular economy. The toolkit sets out the potential financial and environmental benefits of becoming more circular, dispels common myths and acts as a starting point to help your business become more sustainable.

    Read the Circular Hackney Knowledge Base here.

  • The Hackney Council Three-Year Climate Implementation Plan provides a detailed set of proposed actions for the Council to carry out that contribute to delivering the goals under each of the five Climate Action Plan themes. Read the Climate Implementation Plan here.

  • The Hackney Wick Circular Economy Zone pilot is a collaboration with local residents, businesses and organisations to promote and enhance circular economy practices, and part of a commitment to minimise consumption-based emissions and support Hackney’s Net Zero targets.

    The zone provides a platform for attracting external funding and testing innovative circular business models with the community.

    This project builds on work by the Hackney Wick & Fish Island Community Development Trust and local partners like The Loop: East London’s first Circular Economy Hub, providing affordable workspace for 16 circular business pioneers dedicated to reducing waste through reuse and upcycling.

What makes a business green?

A green business is one that has a minimal or positive impact on the environment. It requires committing to sustainable goals and tacking real action in implementing those changes within a business. Whether it is using sustainable products, choosing eco-friendly supply chain strategies, or limiting the daily carbon footprint of your delivery services, there are actions that every business can take to prioritise sustainability.

Reduce single-use plastics

From 1 October 2023 businesses will no longer be able to supply, sell or offer certain single-use plastic items. Find out more on how to prepare your business.

Find out more about the single-use plastics ban
Find out more about the single-use plastics ban

Adopt zero emission deliveries

Save money, reduce emissions and improve local air quality by joining the Zero Emissions Network. Benefit from advice, free trials and cash-saving services.

Learn more about the Zero Emissions Network
Learn more about the Zero Emissions Network
Circular economy - Hackney Business Network

Apply for green business funding

Find support and funding opportunities to green your business and contribute to the circular economy.

Better futures

The Mayor of London is working with partners to give over 150 small businesses the boost they need to be successful in London and create a hub for low-carbon and circular industries in our city. New companies for the programme are accepted every six weeks.

Apply for Better Futures funding
Apply for Better Futures funding

GLA Heavy Vehicles Scrappage Schemes

New heavy vehicle scrappage scheme gives small businesses and charities with heavy vehicles £15,000 to replace or retrofit their vehicle.

Apply for the Heavily Vehicles Scrappage scheme
Apply for the Heavily Vehicles Scrappage scheme

Useful links to support your business to become more sustainable

  • A Good Thing

    A Good Thing makes it easy for businesses to donate unwanted items to local charities, all using a simple app.

  • Anglo

    Anglo Doorstep Collections helps people all around the UK to effortlessly declutter their homes, by collecting unwanted clothes and household items straight from their doorsteps. The proceeds are then donated to charity.

  • Bioregional

    Bioregional helps major developers create pioneering eco-communities; supports businesses, including retailers, to create sustainable products and services; and delivers projects with communities around the world to enable them to take local climate action and build their environmental resilience

  • British Heart Foundation

    British Heart Foundation (BHF) allows you to donate your unwanted furniture, homeware and electrical items using their free collection service.

  • Carbon Trust UK

    Specialist advice and support for businesses looking for assistance in reducing their carbon footprint. Find out more and apply.

  • Ellen MacArthur Foundation

    The Ellen MacArthur Foundation is a charity committed to creating a circular economy, which is designed to eliminate waste and pollution, circulate products and materials (at their highest value), and regenerate nature.

  • Freecycle or Freegle

    Freecycle or Freegle are reuse swapping sites that allows you to give away items and also seek unwanted goods in your local area.

  • FSB Sustainability Hub

    For Federation of Small Business members, the sustainability hub offers sustainability planning and offers guides and resources.

  • Government funding opportunities

    Government portal where funding opportunities are regularly made available to businesses investing in green technologies to increase energy efficiency or reduce carbon emissions.

  • Groundwork London

    Groundwork London supports local communities and businesses to build capacity and resilience as this is vital if we are to tackle hardship, achieve a just transition to net-zero and help nature recover in a way that reduces inequality and leads to better work and healthier, happier lives.

  • Hackney Fixing Factory

    Fixing Factory is a community hub that collects and repairs small electrical items to combat e-waste whilst teaching skills. Run by climate charities, it helps residents learn repair skills, saving money and reducing landfill waste through workshops and weekly, volunteer-driven repair sessions.

  • LoveJunk

    LoveJunk is a waste removal marketplace that helps you find the cheapest collector for bulky waste. You can also get preloved items like furniture, appliances, mattresses and building materials for free.

  • Made in Hackney Plant Prospects

    Made in Hackney’s Plant Prospects Programme offers support to organisations, businesses and civil society to evolve their offer to a more plant-centred eating approach.

  • North London Waste Authority

    North London Waste Authority (NLWA) is a statutory public authority, committed to serving over two million north London residents in Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Hackney, Haringey, Islington, Waltham Forest. Learn more about current initiatives to help you recycle, reduce and repair.

  • Ofgem guidance

    Ofgem provides a summary of some of the main funding and learning opportunities for businesses that are interested in improving the sustainability of their operations.

  • OLIO

    OLIO is an app which allows you to give away food and other household items to your neighbours, all for free. Olio is also available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

  • ReLondon

    ReLondon works with government, business, citizens and communities to help London waste less and reuse, repair and recycle more. If you’re a circular business interested in selling your products or services via their Circular Matchmaker, or are simply interested in finding out about practical ways you can reduce the amount of waste your business creates, ReLondon provides an excellent starting point for your circular journey.

  • SME Climate Hub

    The SME Climate Hub is an initiative that empowers companies to take climate action and build resilient businesses for the future.

  • The Sustainable Restaurant Association

    The Sustainable Restaurant Association is delivering change towards a hospitality sector that is socially progressive and environmentally restorative.

  • TipTapp

    TipTapp is a company that helps you move items in and out of your home, get rid of things and get giveaways delivered to your doorstep. Tiptapp is also available on the App Store and Google Play Store.

  • Waste and recycling for businesses

    Hackney Council offers the most comprehensive waste and recycling service in Hackney, with competitive fees and charges starting at just £1.19. Learn more about what services are available.

  • WRAP

    WRAP is a climate action NGO working around the globe to tackle the causes of the climate crisis and give the planet a sustainable future. The world must do more and act faster to combat climate change. That’s why we’re transforming our food and textile systems, eliminating plastic pollution and increasing recycling.

Get in touch.

We are committed to supporting businesses in becoming more circular. If you have any questions about transitioning your business towards net-zero or if you want to find out more about which Hackney-based suppliers or partners can help you with your journey, please use the contact form to submit your query.

We’re keen to support circular businesses operating in the borough, for example through procurement opportunities, connecting businesses, or grant funding. Get in touch if you’re interested.

Building a fairer economy in Hackney.

Join the Hackney Business Network
Join the Hackney Business Network