Circular Communities
What if… we reimagined waste as opportunity?
What if… the things we no longer need could find a new home instead of ending up in landfill?
What if… swapping, sharing, and repairing became second nature in our community?
What if… we strengthened community connections to help resources in Camden be shared more equitably?
Circular communities is part of Camden Council’s Future Neighbourhoods 2030 programme in Somers Town, which aims to build more sustainable and resilient communities through the power of a circular economy.
At Think & Do, we believe there are enough resources to go around in Camden for all of its residents, but how can we make this a reality when it’s often easier to just order something on your phone?
Did you know that 16% of a Camden resident’s environmental impact comes from buying new items for the home? Many of these items go unused or are eventually thrown away. Overconsumption is a major driver of the climate crisis, but it’s also an issue that we can tackle locally.
In collaboration with Camden Council, we have run six circular community events, inspiring people to reuse, repair and rethink their consumption – making sustainability something we do, not just something we talk about. Here is an overview of our circular community projects!
What if… we made energy saving tips accessible for busy parents?
Through our Energy Savers Club coffee morning, parents can learn simple ways to cut down on energy use from our energy saving experts whilst also swapping old light bulbs for energy saving LEDs.
What if… we started to educate the next generation about waste and circularity in our community?
Our primary school circular community event will introduce children to the circular economy through an age appropriate lens… Toys! We will explore the lifecycle of a toy, showing them the power of reusing, repairing and sharing.
What if… Our streets became hubs of generosity?
Our street swaps will give residents the chance to pass on pre-loved items to neighbours, and dispose of items that are not claimed responsibly, creating a culture of sharing and reducing unnecessary waste! You never know what treasures your neighbours might hold.
What if… we saw potential in what others discard?
Our Trash to Treasure event challenges the idea that discarded items are worthless. In the leadup to a summer ‘Fix-It’ BBQ, young people will search Somers Town for abandoned small appliances, documenting their finds through creative photography.
These rescued items will then be brought to the BBQ, where skilled experts will give them a new lease of life – proving that what is broken doesn’t always have to be binned.
The young collectors will turn their before-and-after photos into an exhibition, showcasing each item’s transformation. This will be displayed in a local library, alongside eye-opening facts about how many appliances end up in landfill each year.
Each of these planned events is designed to celebrate sustainability, creativity and community. Stay tuned on our website, X or Instagram for dates and details – don’t miss out on helping us build a more sustainable Somers Town!