Community-led sustainability programmes overseen by Resource Futures, a Bristol-based environmental consultancy, have generated £3.8 million in consumer savings whilst preventing 1,192 tonnes of waste from reaching disposal facilities. The B Corp certified organisation's initiatives across Somerset, Devon and nationally have also created 150 jobs and volunteer roles.

The figures emerge from Resource Futures' 2024-25 Impact Report, which details the outcomes of programmes including Community Action Groups (CAG) networks, the AkzoNobel-funded Community RePaint programme, and the Fixy Project electrical reuse scheme.

"Our work has always been rooted in leading and supporting community-driven solutions alongside our consultancy and data work," commented Bethan Jones, Director at Resource Futures. "We're now focused on expanding our communities-work – growing its scope, impact, and reach, and helping others build their own networks, schemes, and community-focused programmes for regenerative action."

Community action networks

The CAG Devon network currently supports 48 community groups, contributing upwards of 24,500 volunteer hours valued at over £380,000 in 2023-24, which the consultancy says has diverted almost 70 tonnes of waste from disposal whilst preventing 360 tonnes of carbon emissions.

In 2024, the Fixy Project partnered with SUEZ UK to pilot an electrical recycling scheme across eleven Somerset apartment blocks without kerbside collection. The trial recovered 386kg of electrical items, with approximately 25 per cent refurbished for reuse by tech partner Donate IT. The initiative was funded by Material Focus' Electrical Recycling Fund with support from Somerset Council.

Resource Futures (RF) was also appointed to manage Recofloor, the vinyl flooring recovery programme established by manufacturers Altro and Polyflor. Under RFs' management, participation rates increased by almost 20 per cent in 2024, with 533 tonnes of vinyl flooring recovered from 531 collections.

Community reuse and repair initiatives are gaining prominence as local authorities seek to meet waste reduction targets. According to the Local Government Association targeted engagement, communications, and local reuse or repair projects, have demonstrated the potential to achieve waste prevention outcomes and improve local communities’ resilience.

Data modelling

Beyond its community action programmes, RF conducted 2,472 days of waste composition analysis in 2024-25, providing data to inform the Government’s packaging Extended Producer Responsibility scheme and supporting CEFLEX's five-year European packaging circularity study.

Working with Dsposal, Resource Futures developed a waste data model for ReLondon and the Greater London Authority to enable the full impact assessment of packaging and collection reforms.

"For over 20 years, we've led the way in primary data gathering for the UK's waste and resources sector," added Sam Reeve, CEO of Resource Futures. "This year, we bolstered our data team, enabling us to evolve our software and data solutions alongside our primary data capabilities to tackle real-world resource management challenges."