A circular economy offers solutions for global sustainability challenges through the transition from the linear take-make-use-dispose economy to a better organisation of resources.

Wind turbine at sunset

A living lab links academic and operational knowledge and understanding to co-create solutions to real-world problems using society as a test-bed to drive innovation.

Yorkshire Circular Lab

The University of Leeds has been awarded funding from Research England to co-produce plans for a Yorkshire Circular Lab. The project will run from December 2020 until March 2021, with the delivery of collaborative plans starting from April 2021 onwards.

The Living Lab envisions to support companies and communities in their transition towards a circular economy, for example with design sprints to generate new ideas, sharing case studies and best practice, and investigating demand for new circular products and services.  Supporting companies and communities will form a critical part of green economic recovery plans following Covid-19 and Brexit. The Living Lab will also contribute to national government targets on eliminating avoidable waste while reducing carbon emissions.

The exact focus and activities of the Living Lab will be outlined together with government, business, civic and academic stakeholders across Yorkshire over the next few months.

For further information and media enquiries please contact Dr. Anne Velenturf at: A.Velenturf@leeds.ac.uk

United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

The Yorkshire Circular Lab uses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to guide our activity.  The work we are doing links to many of the SDGs, in particular the following:

  • Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
  • Goal 9: Industry, innovation and infrastructure
  • Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
  • Goal 12: Responsible consumption and production
  • Goal 13: Climate Action
  • Goal 17: Partnerships for the goal