Brighton & Hove’s Circular Economy on the Map!
- Emily Jones
- Sep 15
- 3 min read
Eight months ago, Circular Brighton & Hove hosted the How Circular is Brighton & Hove? An event that brought together residents, businesses, campaigners, and policymakers to explore the circular economy and its potential in our city.
One of the most exciting parts of the day was a hands-on mapping exercise. Attendees were invited to highlight local businesses and initiatives that champion sustainability and circular practices.
Together, we began sketching out what a truly “circular Brighton & Hove” looks like.
After collecting and analysing this input, we are proud to share the result: an interactive map that highlights the thriving ecosystem of circular businesses and initiatives across Brighton & Hove.
The map already tells a powerful story.
It features organisations such as Fareshare Sussex & Surrey, which redistributes surplus food to charities and community groups, Emmaus Brighton & Hove, where donated furniture and goods are given a new lease of life while supporting people affected by homelessness, Tech-Takeback, which offers a new life to unwanted tech whilst fighting against digital exclusion, and the Real Junk Food Project, which rescues food that would otherwise be wasted and transforms it into affordable, nutritious meals. These are just a few examples of the creativity, resilience, and community spirit that characterise the circular economy in our city.
This isn’t the first time we’ve attempted such a mapping exercise. Back in 2018, Circular Brighton & Hove carried out its initial survey of circular businesses. Since then, much has changed. The city, like everywhere else, has experienced the upheavals of a global pandemic, national lockdowns, and a cost-of-living crisis. Sadly, some of the businesses that appeared on our first map have since closed their doors. Yet, new initiatives have risen to take their place, proving that innovation and determination continue to drive Brighton & Hove forward.
The interactive map is not intended to be a static resource. Instead, we want it to grow and evolve as more businesses and projects emerge. If you are running a circular business or initiative, you can get listed easily. Visit the homepage and click the green “Get listed” button at the top right of the page. Please fill in your details, and we will review them and aim to add your entry as soon as possible!
Our goal is for this to be more than just a directory. We see it as a living, interactive space where residents can discover local options that reduce waste, where business owners can connect with like-minded initiatives, where councillors and policymakers can see the scale of activity happening on the ground, and where visitors to the city can experience Brighton & Hove’s unique culture of sustainability. To make the map easy to navigate, all initiatives are organised into categories, with a pinned post offering guidance on how to use it most effectively.
Ultimately, this map is about showcasing Brighton & Hove’s collective commitment to sustainability and circularity. Every business and project added helps us tell a bigger story about how our community is rethinking waste, sharing resources, and building resilience for the future. We invite you to explore the map, support the businesses listed, and help us grow this resource so it reflects the full richness of our city’s circular economy.
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