UK's John Lewis Partnership launches £1 mn fund for circular economy

The fund seeks new thinking in three areas: textiles, food and household products, technology and services. The grant fund is open to charities, Community Interest Companies, social enterprises, academic bodies and start-ups (under 5 years old). Successful projects will be innovative and truly circular delivering significant impact that creates a long-term legacy. Collaborative applications are encouraged from organisations willing to openly share their approach and findings, John Lewis Partnership said in its press release.

The fund builds on a range of waste and circularity commitments made by the John Lewis Partnership in October 2020. These included ensuring that all John Lewis product categories have a ‘buy back’ or ‘take back’ solution by 2025, developing rental/ resale options and halving food waste both operationally and for customers’ by 2030.

“As part of this commitment, John Lewis launched a new range of mattresses, containing wool provided after shearing by UK sheep farmers supplying Waitrose. Once a highly valued commodity in the UK, wool has been under-utilised for decades. The new mattress range ensures this natural fibre will be put to good use ensuring quality wool is not wasted,” the release added.

The new grant fund follows in the footsteps of a previous Plan Plastic Grant fund delivered by Hubbub on behalf of Waitrose & Partners which also invested monies generated through the plastic bag carrier charge.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (RR)