What does green business look like in action? Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville, visited the Hackney Creative Reuse Project, located within the Yodomo textiles shop, to understand how sharing resources and products across the borough can promote a sustainable Hackney.

The Hackney Creative Reuse Project connects Hackney businesses, makers and communities, finding innovative solutions to reuse pre-consumer waste and surplus materials. Collecting off-cuts from textiles used for a variety of clothes and household items, members are able to access the curated piles of patterned silk, cotton and leather for personal projects. 

Launched in July 2022, the Hackney Creative Reuse Project was funded by the Hackney Central Impact and Ideas fund in partnership with economic development organisation, PRD. Part of a wider £2.5 million in support to help Hackney businesses recover from the pandemic, the grant awarded several businesses funding to green their operations or promote a circular economy in Hackney Central.

Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville, said "It was truly inspiring to visit Yodomo's Creative Reuse Project at Hackney City Farm, which is quickly becoming a cicular economy hub. It's an idea that not only helps businesses across the whole borough become more sustainable, but also benefits the community through delivering cost-effective materials to the public, which is especially important amidst the increased cost of living."

"Hackney Council understands the importance of green business in addressing climate change and in helping businesses become more cost-efficient and resourceful. That's why, beyond funding a variety of projects like Yodomo's, we also held our first climate summit and are committed to a circular economy strategy as part of our Climate Action Plan, the roadmap for a greener Hackney by 2030 ".

The project currently boasts 903 members and has diverted 2.29 tonnes of waste back into the circular and creative economy. The Creative Reuse Project is an example of the rapid upscaling of a sustainable idea which has the direct impact of reducing waste within the borough. Hackney is a leading sustainable borough and the Council has listed sustainability as one of its key priorities alongside supporting businesses through a rising cost of doing business. 

Sophie Rochester, CEO of Yodomo, said “we believed that the maker community - homemakers and professional craftspeople - was readily able to make use of many materials that might otherwise be destined for landfill or incineration.”

“The good news is that most businesses really do want to work out how to implement better systems so that they are not sending waste to landfill or incineration, and ideally not producing as much waste in the first place.”

In 2023, Yodomo aims to continue their reach, focusing on how their work can support the community during the cost-of-living crisis, and to target businesses to donate items that can support local households to make their homes as comfortable as possible.

You can find out more about the Creative Reuse Project, including membership and their community classes at: https://yodomo.co/pages/hackney-creative-reuse-project