Repurpose, reuse - less waste

·       48% of consumers say they are more likely to seek out businesses that offer repair, refill or recycling services than they were a year ago

·       Brits say they saved on average of £100+ last year by having items professionally repaired, rather than replacing them

·       62% are aware of the environmental impact of throwing things away, so try to mend items, rather than just replacing them

·       46% of consumers say they like buying refurbished or recycled goods

Brits are increasingly choosing to repair broken items instead of replacing them, saving an average of £100+ last year, according to new research. 

Washing machines (30%), damaged clothes (26%) and laptops or tablets (26%) topped the list of items that people are most likely to repair rather than buying new, with 60% having bought refurbished or recycled goods in the past year.

Many small businesses are also reducing waste by embracing the circular economy - which involves minimising waste by reusing, recycling, or sharing resources so materials stay in use for as long as possible.  They are sharing resources with other local businesses (38%), using reusable or recyclable packaging (37%), using recycled products where possible (34%), and buying materials from other sustainable or circular businesses (32%), according to the research commissioned by Smart Energy GB and conducted by Censuswide.

Small businesses that have seen an increase in their footfall say it’s because their customers are trying to be more environmentally friendly (22%) and save money (22%). Over a third (35%[1]) of business owners polled say their profits have increased in the past year. They link this primarily to customers becoming more aware of their sustainability efforts (33%), as well as managing their overheads more effectively (26%). Nearly a quarter (24%) say they are better at managing their energy usage and costs than they were a year ago.

TV Presenter Dominic Chinea commented: “Thinking circularly is all about keeping products and materials in use for longer, and small businesses are leading the way. When we make something new, we’re using raw materials, time and energy – so the longer we can extend the lifespan of what we already have, the better. Being less wasteful saves money and strengthens the environmental credentials of your business. Simple steps can make a big difference – whether that’s using a smart meter to better manage energy use and costs and see where savings can be made or finding creative ways to share resources with neighbouring businesses.”

Robin Masefield, owner of Natural Weigh, a refill shop in Crickhowell, Wales said: “We’ve noticed an increase in footfall over the past year, as more people are becoming aware of the impact of single-use packaging and choosing to refill instead. There’s a growing appetite for living more sustainably.  Customers want to reduce waste and make small, meaningful changes to their shopping habits.

“We also try to lead by example in how we run the business. From carefully sourcing our products to monitoring our day-to-day energy use, we’re always looking for ways to reduce our carbon footprint. Having a smart meter installed has made a real difference.   The data helps us track how much energy we’re using and pinpoint ways we can reduce our energy use.  It's a win-win for us, as we have more control over our running costs while bolstering our sustainability efforts.” 

Whilst three quarters Brits (75%²) say they’re more likely to buy durable and long-lasting products, 36% admit they don’t know what the “circular economy” is. Almost two fifths (39%) admit to having thrown away something in the last year that they could have repaired, spending £163 on average replacing the item with something new.

Yet, over three fifths (62%[2]) say they are aware of the environmental impact of throwing things away so try to mend or repair items rather than throw them away and nearly half (48%²) say they often buy second-hand items – with 54%[3]buying from charity shops, 42%³ buying from second hand shops and 25%³ buying from auctions.

Those aged 25-34 are leading the way on upcycling fashion, with 59%² saying they are more likely to mend clothing or take clothing to be repaired than just throw it away and buy new. Meanwhile those aged 55+ are more likely to repair household goods like washing machines (35%) and 67%² of all respondents regularly monitor their energy use at home.

Victoria Bacon, a Director at Smart Energy GB, said: “The research shows a shift towards more mindful consumption habits. Consumers and businesses are thinking carefully about waste, be it repairing rather than replacing goods, or monitoring the energy they’re using.  One thing that can help with this is to get a smart meter installed.  Energy usage is monitored in near-real time, which can help small businesses identify where they can use less energy, which is good for the planet as well as a business’ finances.”

TV presenter Dominic Chinea’s Top Five Tips for any small business wanting to embrace circular and environmentally friendly practices:

1. Start small but start somewhere - Don’t feel you need to reinvent your whole business overnight. Pick one thing – like packaging or sourcing - and make a simple change.  Small steps often lead to the biggest shifts in mindset.
2. Be selective, not sentimental - It’s great to reuse and recycle, but only when it makes sense. Be honest about what can be repurposed – hanging onto unusable stock or materials can waste valuable space and energy, and someone else might be able to put it to better use.
3. Don’t forget the invisible stuff - Keep an eye on your energy usage. Getting a smart meter installed can help with this.  It tracks your energy use in near-real time, and the data from it can help you identify where you might be able to make small changes, that can save money and better manage your energy use.   Meter readings are sent automatically to your supplier, so there’s a time saving too.
4. Find your local reuse network - There’s a whole community out there swapping tools, materials, and ideas, to give items a second life. Look for local repair cafés, community workshops, materials exchanges or online reuse groups where businesses share surplus stock or equipment. It’s a great way to save money, reduce waste and build connections with other small businesses in your area. 
5. Have fun with it - The responsibility of being more mindful about resources doesn't just sit with a business owner.  It can be something you work on as a team. Set your colleagues a monthly ‘waste hack’ challenge to see who can come up with the best reuse idea or new way to reduce waste.