Call for the 'right to repair' to be extended nationally made at circular economy debate
At September’s Full Council meeting, Camden invited local experts and organisations to take part in a themed debate on progress being made towards becoming a circular economy borough.
In 2019, we declared a climate and ecological emergency, recognising the threat of climate change and the irreversible damage it may cause. One of our key ambitions is that Camden should be a sustainable place with everyone empowered to contribute to tackling the climate emergency.
A circular economy keeps materials and products in use at their highest value for as long as possible, cutting waste, emissions and costs. This approach is aligned with our Climate Action Plan which commits the Council to do everything it can to help support our ambition for a zero carbon Camden.
We have already taken steps, working in partnership with residents, community groups and local businesses. This has empowered our communities to share, repair, reuse, and redistribute goods, which saves money and reduces waste.
We are committed to continuing to lead locally by developing the circular economy within our planning processes and supporting and developing local schemes to reduce costs and waste.
Consumption-based emissions are a major contributor to our overall carbon footprint. While these emissions often occur outside Camden they are driven by local demand. A key priority within our new draft Climate Action Plan, which is currently being consulted on, sets out how the Council, local organisations, and communities can work together to cut emissions further, prepare for climate risks, and protect those most vulnerable.
Councillor Harrison continued:
“A circular economy is much more than just managing materials as sustainably as possible with products being designed to last longer by being easier to repair or repurpose, or at the end of life recycle, and so creating opportunities to keep materials in use and eliminate waste.
“It is also as much about social and economic benefits. Circular economy approaches can contribute to many of the challenges our communities face such as the cost of living, employment, digital divide, access to food, housing and affordable transport.
“To this end, I will be writing to the government to push for a range of measures including; replacing weight-based recycling-rate targets with residual waste per head, expanding the “right to repair” to all consumer electronics, including laptops, smartphones and tablets, a minimum 5-year warranty, and guarantee of security and software updates for 5 years after products leave the market.
“I will also be asking the government to fund a national repair-voucher scheme through extended producer responsibility payments.”
Progress made in Camden so far
Camden has already taken important steps towards building local circularity, working in partnership with residents, community groups and local businesses. This has empowered our communities to share, repair, reuse, and redistribute goods, which saves money and reduces waste. Examples include:
- In 2023, we convened a Circular Economy Scrutiny Panel, whose report examined how the circular economy could be better embedded across the Council and borough.
- Library of Things: Two Library of Things have been established in Camden, located in Kentish Town and Swiss Cottage libraries (previously at Kilburn library). This has enabled residents to borrow items like tools and appliances instead of buying new. Over 2,300 items were borrowed in 2024/25.
- Fixing Factory: Located in Queen’s Crescent, Fixing Factory tackles e-waste by providing community repair sessions and skill-building workshops. Events are also held across the Borough in Partnership with Veolia Camden and Think & Do
- Lifeafterhummus community “waste” café: In addition to establishing a social supermarket, reuse centre and food distribution network in Somers Town, Lifeafterhummus Community Benefit Society launched a community café at 5 Pancras Square in May 2025 offering affordable plant-based meals using surplus food.
- Somers Town Future Neighbourhood: a range of circular economy themed projects including Your Bike cycle repair, themed circular economy market days on Chalton Street and Sharing Spaces in Tenants and Residents’ Association halls.
- Circular retrofit: Camden is applying circular economy to the retrofitting of 2 Prince of Wales Road, which will become Camden’s first Neighbourhood Space and first development aligned with the UK Net Zero Carbon Building Standard.