King Charles visits voluntary initiative aimed at promoting environmentally-friendly practices
His Majesty King Charles III visited a new UK-wide voluntary initiative encouraging businesses to promote green practices.
The initiative was launched at the Renew Hub in Greater Manchester, operated by Birmingham-based SUEZ Recycling and Recovery UK.
The environmentally-friendly initiative focuses on designing out waste, including re-use, high‑quality recycling, remanufacturing and repurposing in the home and workplace.
It is driven by a core team of signatories who will promote education, share best practice, encourage cross-sector collaboration and spotlight commercially viable models, aimed at helping companies create value and reduce costs without relying on regulation or subsidy.
King Charles visited the launch event attended by more than 150 Greater Manchester businesses who have signed up to the initiative, which is supported by the British Chambers of Commerce.
The launch of the campaign follows research which shows UK businesses still discard over one million tonnes of reusable materials each year.
The Renew Hub offers a working example. Since opening in 2021, it has given nearly 500,000 items a second life and generated around £1.6 million for good causes.
Further engagement is expected across the UK, giving Chambers and their members an opportunity to get involved as the initiative develops.
Shevaun Haviland CBE, director-general of the British Chambers of Commerce, said: “The British Chambers of Commerce is proudly backing our Patron, His Majesty The King’s support of the Circularity in Practice initiative.
“We know that firms across our network want to play their part in building a more sustainable economy. Embracing circular practices is central to this.
“We have confidence that Circularity in Practice will drive the cultural change and action that is needed to make re-use a new norm.
“Chambers of Commerce stand ready to support businesses to plan, partner, act and share as they make their circularity commitment today.”
