On Thursday 17 July, UWE Bristol’s School of Engineering and the Bristol Repair Coalition brought together more than 30 representatives from across the region for a dynamic workshop to co-design a new Circular Economy Demonstrator for Bristol.
Held at the Bristol Business School, the event convened participants from local authorities, community organisations, academia, industry, and the voluntary sector, all with a shared interest in building practical, community-driven solutions to reduce waste and support more sustainable use of resources.
The session was facilitated by Dr Laura Fogg-Rogers (UWE Bristol), Mark Jacobs (Environmental Scientist, Innovator, and Producer), and opened with a scene-setting address from Ken Lawson, Head of Waste, Recycling, Neighbourhood Enforcement and Street Scene Services at Bristol City Council.
What is a Circular Economy Demonstrator?
A Circular Economy Demonstrator is a dedicated, collaborative space where services like repair, reuse, refurbishment, and resource-sharing can be brought together and trialled at scale. Demonstrators act as real-world test beds – practical, visible models that help communities and organisations explore new ways of working while generating evidence, jobs, skills, and engagement.
Inspired by projects such as Manchester’s Renew Hub and Berlin’s NochMall, the proposed demonstrator for Bristol would support not only environmental goals but also skills development, social enterprise, and economic inclusion.
Energy, Ideas, and Collaboration
The workshop created space for lively, creative conversation around the opportunities and challenges involved in establishing such a site. Participants reflected on questions of scale, location, logistics, funding, and governance – as well as how to ensure the project remains inclusive, achievable, and rooted in Bristol’s existing reuse and repair networks.
Key themes from the session included:
- Green jobs and skills: The demonstrator could serve as a training hub for emerging circular economy skills and support pathways into employment.
- A just transition: By centring community participation and social value, the project has the potential to support inclusive, local economic development.
- Net zero goals: Reducing waste and increasing reuse are critical elements of Bristol’s wider climate strategy, with the demonstrator offering a practical route to carbon reduction.
- Enterprise and innovation: There was a strong call to develop income-generating activities to support long-term viability and reduce dependency on public sector funding.
Looking Ahead
Over the summer, the organisers will review all of the contributions and insights gathered during the workshop, with a view to sharing outcomes and proposed next steps in the autumn. A key focus will be refining the project’s value proposition, testing assumptions about demand, and strengthening cross-sector partnerships.
The School of Engineering would like to thank everyone who attended and contributed to this important conversation. Together, we are building momentum toward a more sustainable, equitable, and resilient future for the city.
For more information on how to get involved, email kat.corbett@uwe.ac.uk.