ReYorkshire to Drive Reuse and Materials Sharing in York and North Yorkshire

A new collaborative project funded under the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority’s Carbon Negative Challenge Fund aims to drive reuse and materials sharing for the region by creating and promoting industrial symbiosis.
Known as ReYorkshire, the collaboration will focus on increasing the reuse of products and materials from industrial, commercial, construction, and agricultural activities and through close collaboration with the community reuse sector.
The Carbon Negative Challenge Fund supports the Combined Authority’s ambition to become England’s first carbon negative region. It is designed to back innovative, inspiring projects that help communities reduce emissions and accelerate decarbonisation across the region.
David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, said: “We’ve got the landscape, the expertise and the ambition to go further than any other region in England and become the first carbon negative region by 2040. With my £10 million Carbon Negative Fund, we’re taking big steps towards our goal by backing the people behind our most pioneering projects. Just like out partners at ReYorkshire who are supporting our region’s businesses to increase repurposing, reduce waste and enhance the environment by moving towards a circular economy.”
The ReYorkshire consortium’s delivery partners are:
• Reusefully – who are the lead partners and an SME focussed on implementation of circular economy in the commercial sector, particularly around construction. They recently completed a circular economy action plan to cover the Dalton Industrial Estate, and each participating company, as part of the Decarbonisation Innovation project.
• Biomimicry Innovation Lab – innovation and foresight lab focusing on next-generation solutions in agrifood, manufacturing and the built environment to tackle complex regenerative problems for sustainable futures. Headquartered in York. Previously ran the Circular Economy Club in York. 20 years’ experience in the property sector, both in the UK and worldwide.
• Circular Malton and Norton – a not-for-profit organisation with a mission to transform Malton and Norton into the first circular economy town—one that reduces waste, promotes upcycling and repurposing, and strengthens our community bonds.
• The Rebuild Site – established a construction materials reuse hub in Carlisle in 2021, and since has run two additional pilots. Rebuild diverts surplus materials from downcycling routes, incineration and landfill, involving businesses, local authorities and communities. This includes reducing construction waste by promoting reuse via local businesses and community projects and delivering social value including through access to low-cost materials, a tool library and volunteer programmes.
Many other supporting organisations and key stakeholders who have confirmed their support including Freegle, the online community platform for people to share items, North Yorkshire Council, Cleveland Steel, Royal Pilgrim Communications, Arts Council England and SAIL who help the creative and cultural industries take real, practical steps toward sustainability,
The initial programme of work for the consortium will aim to identify potential waste streams that could be turned into a valuable industrial resource, and establish pilot projects for the reuse of waste streams across different sectors.
The programme of work will run over 18 months.
To find out more and to register an interest in getting involved go to www.reyorkshire.com