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IKEA, the National Institute for Agricultural Botany (NIAB), and innovative start-up Agri-Grub, will be sharing how sustainability could help SMEs save money, boost productivity and become more resilient after COVID19 at a free webinar organised by Opportunity Peterborough in October.

The event will help SMEs get more value from their resources, and even find new uses for waste streams through the concept of circular economy. The circular economy aims to move society away from the ‘take-make-dispose’ model – where raw materials are collected, transformed into products, and discarded as waste – into one where resources are used for as long as possible and productive uses are found for waste streams.

This event is being run by the Circular Peterborough team at Opportunity Peterborough which runs the city’s circular economy programme in partnership with Peterborough City Council. The team works with businesses of all sizes, but in response to COVID-19 recovery, the workshop will be for SMEs.

Delegates will hear from businesses in the area who have benefitted from adopting circular principles, and some of the commercial opportunities for waste streams:

• Start-up, Agri-Grub, which is turning AM FRESH’s waste fruit into protein and pest control
• IKEA is reusing, repurposing, and recovering materials.
• the National Institute of Agricultural Botany will also discuss how plant resources could provide renewable materials to businesses across all sectors to reduce the use of plastic and non-biodegradable materials.

There will also be time for delegates to discuss how their businesses could use circular economy principles, and the opportunities and barriers they may face. The Circular Peterborough team will use the feedback to adapt city level strategies and to tailor long term one-to-one business support for delegates.

Tom Hennessy, chief executive of Opportunity Peterborough said, “COVID-19 created huge disruption across supply chains, and has really tested business’ resilience. We want to rebuild the economy quickly, but we also want to keep this growth sustainable. With the circular economy, we can help businesses improve their operations while also protecting our environment.

“Any SME is welcome to attend, whether they’re new to the circular economy concept, already planning to make changes, or are looking for extra inspiration on their circular journey.”

The webinar will run 10.30am-12.00pm online on 14 October 2020. Delegates will receive a link directly. For event and registration details visit: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/going-circular-how-sustainability-can-boost-business-growth-after-covid19-tickets-121711017931.