A new ‘Circular Towns Guide’ has been launched by the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (YNY LEP) to celebrate Circular Yorkshire Week 2021.

This third Circular Yorkshire campaign, led by the YNY LEP with partners from across Yorkshire, positions a circular economy as a way to help strengthen and grow local economies by engaging local communities in activities that protect and benefit the environment.

As well as engaging with the guide, the campaign is also asking communities to make a pledge to commit to building a more circular economy.

Inspired by the approach of ‘circular cities’ such as London and Glasgow, the Circular Towns Guide adapts a circular approach to towns and smaller communities to ensure that places across the region, whatever their size, can benefit from a circular economy.

The guide offers practical advice and guidance to ensure that every community across the region is empowered to take part in localised and practical action that can contribute to achieving the UK’s Net Zero ambition.

Sue Jefferson, Chair of the YNY LEP Business Board and founding member of Circular Malton & Norton, said assets like the Circular Towns Guide are so important and embracing a circular economy is good for both businesses and communities.

“Recognising it is difficult for all of us to change our habits and behaviours in positive ways that can reduce carbon, it is encouraging to see desire and momentum building.

"By focusing on our towns and communities and how they engage with the circular economy, this is proving a great way to seek out new opportunities that can make a difference where we work or live.

"Across North Yorkshire and in my own town, already we are seeing a wide range of businesses and community organisations get behind circular initiatives, embracing new & collaborative ways of working, benefitting the local community as well as businesses. Those acting now are undoubtedly reaping the rewards and leading the way for others to follow.”

To find out more about the Circular Yorkshire campaign and the Circular Towns Guide, visit www.ynylep.com .

It also includes information about the broader YNY LEP’s Festival of Engagement programme, running from through to January 2022 and includes the Circular Yorkshire campaign.

The York & North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP) is a public-private partnership charged with driving economic growth and prosperity across York and North Yorkshire. It is one of 38 LEPs in the national LEP Network and one of the 11 LEPs in the NP11 partnership.