The Embedding Circularity Project
Embedding circular economy principles into public procurement of net zero solutions
Partners
The project is funded by the Innovation Launchpad Network+ and implemented by the Nottingham University Business School and Innovation Procurement Empowerment Centre at Connected Places Catapult.
Work packages
A review of the literature and awareded contracts, interviews and a workshop to answer a key questions:
- How can local authorities in the East Midlands integrate circular economy principles into their procurement of transportation solutions?

Our focus
Domestic transportation is responsible for over a quarter of greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. By enabling circular public procurement, local authorities can incentivise innovation within the transport sector and promote the development of circular business models across their whole life-cycle.
How You Can Help
Getting Involved
We are looking participants across Local Authorities in the East Midlands Region to participate in our online interviews and stakeholder workshop:
Interviews
We are interviewing people involved in public procurement. This includes public procurement officers and equivalents, as well as staff from companies which have been awarded a contract.
When? Between June and September 2025
Workshop
The findings from the previous stages and heir implications for the future of circular public procurement will be discussed during a stakeholder workshop.
When? First half of November (TBC)

News
Project and Partners

Connected Places Catapult
The UK’s innovation accelerator for transport, the built environment, cities and local growth.

Championing more material reuse
Luis Torres is exploring how procurement can be used as a lever for sustainabiity.

Creating new value in public sector by bringing in innovative solutions through procurement.
Get involved
We are interviewing people involved in public procurement. This includes public procurement officers and equivalents, as well as staff from companies which have been awarded a contract in the last couple of years.