John Lewis launches £1 million circular future fund

The Circular Future Fund: The Million Pound Challenge by John Lewis and Waitrose is looking to support a small number of projects that will accelerate the transition to a more circular economy, for example by rethinking waste with new products and materials, shifting consumer mindsets or developing new businesses models and services.

The £1 million fund will be supporting projects for one year, starting in May 2022, that aim to innovate products and services in the textiles, food, household and technology sectors.

Eligible candidates are charities, social enterprises, registered companies less than five years old, academic bodies and community interest companies with grants for individual projects available ranging from £150,000 to £300,000.

The retailer highlighted that it wants to fund projects with a "measurable impact (now or in the future) and a clear legacy" and that it would make all learnings and results available openly to amplify impact.

The fund's aim is to support the transition towards a circular economy, which seeks to design out waste and the "take make dispose" system by improving the value of a product throughout its lifecycle.

"Not only will the circular economy help to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss, it also provides opportunities to generate new economic value, jobs and more resilient supply chains," added John Lewis Partnership.

The retailer is working together with environmental charity Hubbub, which is also involved in the Parliamentary Group for Ethics and Sustainability in Fashion,  to administer the grant.

Projects will be selected by a grant panel, consisting of independent experts on the circular economy, grant making and innovation authorities, as well as senior representatives from the John Lewis Partnership.

The fund is the latest step in the retailer's ambitions to become more sustainable, building on a number of existing commitments focusing on efficient use of resources, sourcing more sustainable and recycled raw materials and helping customers avoid food waste.

Applications to become involved in the fund have to be complete by 9 January 2022.