About

Exhibitors at the Circular Economy Hotspot Cymru:

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  ARCS provides bespoke circular innovation support to help businesses unlock the opportunities of a circular economy. Fully funded by the UK Government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and delivered by Swansea University, the project leverages academic expertise to provide up to 200 hrs of research and 1-1 advice to companies in South-West Wales. Helping to drive the implementation of circular practices, and enable businesses to generate economic, environmental and social benefits whilst meeting their net-zero ambitions.

  https://www.swansea.ac.uk/science-and-engineering/research/engineering/arcs/
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  Making borrowing as easy as popping out for a loaf of bread Benthyg (ben-thig) means to borrow or lend in Welsh. Part funded by Welsh Government we are a not-for-profit organisation, that supports a network of communities, and helps them develop a Library of Things model that works for them. There are a variety of Libraries of Things models available, from Lockers to book libraries to shared spaces to high street shops. We exist to support the Circular Economy by reducing items going into landfill, encouraging people to borrow instead of buy and keeping borrowing fees as low as possible to help alleviate the impact of poverty. In Wales, to date there have been 15,000 borrows, 180,000kg in reduced carbon emissions and communities have saved £400,000 saved. We share our expertise, experience and knowledge with Local Authorities, companies, other non-profits and community groups.

  https://www.benthyg-cymru.org/
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  Providing fully funded advice and guidance, Business Wales is supporting people who are looking to start, grow and run their own business in Wales. With experienced advisors, a wealth of digital resources available including toolkits and webinars, as well as support in specialist services such as exporting, investments and empowering young people to start up, Business Wales offers impartial, independent advice to anyone within the business community, whatever stage they are at. Business Wales is funded by the Welsh Government.

  https://businesswales.gov.wales/
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  Chambers Wales is a business membership organisation dedicated to promoting, connecting, supporting, and informing businesses across Wales, while serving as the gateway to global trade. One of our five strategic pillars focuses on clean growth, leveraging the expertise and cutting-edge technology of our members to help both member organisations and the Chamber adopt sustainable practices and thrive in a low-carbon economy.

  https://cw-seswm.com/
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  We are Climate Action Wales, a Welsh Government initiative driving change for a more sustainable future. With climate change being the greatest challenge of our time, we’re here to empower people across Wales to take action. From choosing options to reduce waste, greener travel and supporting local, sustainable fashion, small changes add up to big impacts. Our mission is to make sustainable living accessible for everyone, with the goal of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and safeguarding 30% of Wales' land and sea by 2030. We bring communities together to learn, share, and take real steps toward a greener, fairer Wales. Together, we can make a difference and ensure a thriving future for generations to come.

  https://www.climateaction.gov.wales/
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  Culture Division, Welsh Government hosted a stand at the Circular Economy Hotspot to showcase examples of where and how the culture sector return materials and resources to the production cycle at the end of their use while minimising the generation of waste. The stand also demonstrated the value and power of the culture sector in telling engaging stories and sparking conversations in communities and the wider public around the narrative of the circular economy. Our display of fabulous costume from Theatr Clwyd really enabled conversations to begin as it was a starting point for discussion on activity, drawing people into the visual display. The circular economy is not a new concept as told by the presentation of the Arts Council Wales Future Fellow Kathryn Ashill response to the call of the ‘rag & bone man’. The ancient Egyptians demonstrated a remarkable understanding of resource conservation and reuse, aligning with modern circular economy principles. They recycled and reused materials like wood, stone, and metal, minimising waste and extending the lifespan of valuable resources. It was common for tombs to be reused, while coffins were reinscribed for new owners and clothing was converted into mummy wrappings. This holistic approach to resource management highlights their pioneering contributions to the principles of the circular economy. Our stand complemented the narrative of ‘Petha A library of Things’, as delegates were able to see further examples of the initiative in action at public libraries.

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  Cyngor Gwynedd was successful in the Welsh Government's Sustainable Schools Challenge competition to build a new school and community facilities on the site of Ysgol Bontnewydd near the town of Caernarfon in North West Wales. An exciting development at Bontnewydd will integrate education and the community in a facility that demonstrates how the environmental impact of the carbon life cycle can be significantly reduced and, with energy conservation and sustainable production, the building can be zero carbon in operation. By focusing on the Circular Economy our aim is to reach a target of 350kg/m2 of embodied carbon in the new building, which is the Welsh Government's target for 2030. This will be achieved by reusing building materials such as the bricks, slate and timber from a former Victorian school in Bangor which is de-constructed. The reuse of cladding materials will integrate the building into its environment and celebrate the industrial heritage of the area.

  https://www.gwynedd.llyw.cymru/
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  Eco-Schools Wales (managed by Keep Wales Tidy) engage with over 90% of Schools in Wales to support learners to take responsibility for their school, community and environment and to make empowered changes for a more positive future. Taking a circular approach to resource use is a fundamental part of the programme and our schools have used fantastic innovation to follow the waste hierarchy and reduce their impact. Come and visit us to explore some inspiring examples from Welsh schools and to find out how we lead by example to inspire our schools into further action for a sustainable future. Eco-Schools is a global initiative and the largest environmental education programme in the World, celebrating 30 years this year.

  https://keepwalestidy.cymru/eco-schools/
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  FareShare Cymru was established in 2010 and delivers surplus, good to eat food that might otherwise go to waste to charities and community groups across Wales. Today FareShare Cymru has distributed tonnes of surplus food to a network of groups and organisations across Wales that provide food and other essential services to people in need.

  https://fareshare.cymru/
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  The Federation of Small Businesses is the UK's leading organisation for small businesses and the self-employed. FSB is a not for profit organisation with the stated aim of helping small businesses achieve their ambitions. FSB ensures that the voice of small business is heard by key decision makers at Welsh, Scottish and Northern Ireland governments as well as at a UK government level in Westminster. In addition to providing a strong, unified voice for small businesses, FSB supports its members with a range of exclusive benefits, including legal and employment support, debt recovery, and discounts on key services to help businesses practically on a day-to-day basis. FSB also hosts both online and in person events across Wales and the UK.

  https://www.fsb.org.uk/membership/fsb-regions-and-nations/fsb-wales.html
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  Ffilm Cymru Wales is the development agency for Welsh film and has a Green Cymru programme to promote environmental sustainability in the film and TV sector. Media Cymru is a Consortium with a shared aim – to turn Cardiff Capital Region into a global hub for media innovation with a focus on green and fair economic growth. Creative Wales is a Welsh Government economic development agency that supports the creative industries in Wales. Ffilm Cymru Wales, Media Cymru and Creative Wales are partners in the Screen New Deal: Transformation Plan for Wales. A key priority in this roadmap is creating a circular industry through the reuse of materials and production assets. The Plan also highlights a circular approach to food, by prioritizing local suppliers, lower carbon options, and reducing waste. Implementation is being supported by a Greening the Screen Fund for R&D projects led by Ffilm Cymru Wales with Media Cymru.

  https://ffilmcymruwales.com/node/1
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  The Round Table Circular Economy brings together stakeholders from the entire value chain that are involved in Circular Economy. Among them are research institutions, universities, associations, chambers, municipalities, institutions, and initiatives, as well as the Ministry of Economics and Ministry of Environment North Rhine Westphalia.

  https://www.zirkulaere-wertschoepfung-nrw.de/
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  Natural Resources Wales is the largest Welsh Government Sponsored Body, focussed on tackling the climate, nature and pollution emergencies. The work that we do to protect and enhance Wales’ environment impacts everything that matters most – our communities, our wildlife and our future. Our mission is to focus our passion and collective action towards: nature’s recovery, resilience to climate change, minimising pollution through the sustainable management of natural resources.

  https://naturalresources.wales
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  Natural UK Ltd is the largest independent clinical / sanitary waste collection company in Wales. Natural UK has a fully electric alternative treatment plant for hazardous infectious clinical waste (EWC Code 18 01 03*) which shreds and sterilises clinical waste. Natural UK have been collaborating with Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board (CTMUHB) on an SBRI project focussed on the Circular Economy and decarbonisation. This project aims to recover and subsequently reprocess the single use plastic products present in sterilised clinical waste in a bid to create a Circular Economy for an otherwise incinerated waste stream. Natural UK also has exclusive rights to NappiCycle Ltd, a unique and innovative treatment system for the recovery of cellulose and plastics from used nappy and incontinence waste.

  https://www.naturaluk.co.uk/
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  Repair Cafe Wales opens & supports repair cafés in Wales and beyond We are a Not-for-Profit organisation dedicated to creating a culture of repair and reuse, to encourage communities that want to work towards a more Circular Economy. Directly addressing the ever-growing emergency of unsustainable growth in landfill and waste.

  https://repaircafewales.org/
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  Revolution-ZERO was founded to tackle the massive issues, exposed during the pandemic, relating to supply chain resilience and the waste associated with single use medical textiles including PPE, surgeons’ gowns and operating theatre drapes. We have rapidly become world leaders in displacing single use medical textiles with even safer reusable alternatives, certified to the strictest regulatory standards, that dramatically reduce carbon emissions and waste whilst also saving money. We are rapidly growing within the UK NHS, private, dental, care and veterinary markets and establishing our international presence within Europe. Our mission is to displace single-use medical textiles with more effective, economic and sustainable alternatives.

  https://www.revolution-zero.com/
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  The SBRI Centre of Excellence, funded by Welsh Government and hosted by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board, funds and delivers challenge-led ‘Contracts for Innovation’ in Wales, fostering collaboration between industry, academia, third and public sector to design, develop and evaluate new exciting, innovative solutions that address unmet needs in the public sector where no readily available solution exists. They work with public sector bodies to identify priority needs within health and the wider public sector, developing the application with ongoing support and assistance throughout the process. Successful challenge owners and suppliers are provided with a full wrap-around service by the Centre, from the initial competition launch to full project management and governance support, to deliver outcome driven solutions that improve the health and wellbeing of people in Wales. Other services they provide include: Project Management, Mentoring and Training.

  https://sbriwales.co.uk/
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  UniGreenScheme’s mission is very simple. We help UK universities and the wider scientific industry reduce waste and consume resources sustainably to enable research organisations to thrive in an increasingly resource-constrained world. We've experienced first-hand the difficulties involved in disposing of unused or surplus laboratory equipment. Currently, the most common route for equipment disposal is...well, disposal. We offer a hassle-free, more sustainable alternative. By offering a service where we collect, store and resell equipment for reuse, we are preventing the needless disposal of equipment - whilst helping you to achieve your environmental targets by reducing your carbon footprint and even generate revenue by offering a share of the profit.

  https://www.unigreenscheme.co.uk/
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  The Welsh Government Innovation Team supports Research Development and Innovation that can contribute to creating a Stronger, Fairer and Greener Wales. SMART Flexible Innovation Support (SFIS) is the brand through which we fund much of our activity. It is open to any organisation with eligible projects which help deliver the missions in our Innovation Strategy, including the third sector, local authorities, and health boards. The (SFIS) programme, is being used for grant awards, public sector procurement activities, national and international collaborations and specialist consultancy and comms activity. This has been enhanced with Circular Economy Funding for businesses, delivered by the Team on behalf of the Climate Change portfolio. It will support organisations to increase the use of re-cycled or re-used products, moving towards a circular, net-zero economy. We partner with organisations to share the risks involved in undertaking RD&I. We encourage organisations to achieve “Innovation Excellence” focussing on activity which benefits not economy, our citizens, and our environment.

  https://businesswales.gov.wales/topics-and-guidance/develop-innovative-ideas-organisations-products-or-services
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  Woodknowledge Wales is an independent for-public-good Community Benefits Society, governed by a voluntary board. We believe in the creation and sharing of knowledge based upon evidence and science. We are transparent and collaborative in our approach. Our diverse membership community supports our work and actively engages and contributes to this mission. We believe that the businesses within the forestry, agriculture and timber ‘ecosystem’ can be better aligned and more purposefully driven to deliver greater social value. We are a change organisation driven by impact and inspired by the need for dramatic change to our natural and built environments to support rapid decarbonisation. Our vision is the transformation of our world into a high-value forest society. We have evidence that a well-conceived forestry provides amenity, mitigates climate change, is good for biodiversity, agricultural development, soil health, helps to contribute to clean air and water and provides more efficient and healthier buildings. All our work is purposefully driven towards creating a better world today, suitable for future generations.

  https://woodknowledge.wales/
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  Wool Insulation Wales Ltd are manufacturers of Truewool® Thermal Loft Insulation Rolls, crafted from 100% pure Welsh wool. With over 10,000 years of evolution, sheep’s wool emerges as a natural marvel, adept at insulating in even the harshest Welsh conditions. It’s a testament to nature’s ingenuity that sheep remain warm and dry amidst our region’s abundant rainfall, thanks to their fleece. Wool stands out as an exceptional insulation material, boasting hygroscopic properties that effectively manage dampness and humidity. At the end of its useful life as insulation, Truewool® can simply be returned to the earth by composting, providing nutrient rich matter for the soil with no energy intensive recycling or separating process, eliminating landfill waste and championing the principles of circular economy.

  https://woolinsulationwales.com/
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  WRAP is a global environmental action NGO transforming our product and food systems to create Circular Living. In a world of mounting environmental challenges, WRAP stands as a beacon of transformative change. WRAP is championing a shift towards a circular economy, fundamentally reshaping how we produce, consume, and manage resources. By moving beyond the traditional ‘take, make, dispose’ model, WRAP is driving a new paradigm where ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ becomes the standard. WRAP’s ambitious goal is to transition from pioneering pilot projects to establishing ‘Circular Living’ as a universal norm, ensuring that value creation is no longer tied to the relentless consumption of raw materials. We aim to make what we call 'Circular Living' top of mind in every boardroom and home, enabling people to lead their lives within one planet.

  https://wrapcymru.org.uk/