Rethinking Resources

Rethinking Resources

Quayside waste removal at Canary Wharf
Transitioning from a linear to a circular economy

To reduce waste across the Estate, we have taken our waste management operations in-house, ensuring that, where possible, waste travels by boat rather than trucks. We have sent zero waste to landfill from managed areas since 2009 and we’re taking steps to reduce waste sent to landfill from our construction waste too.

recyling electronic quipement at Canary Wharf

As part of our ambition to move ‘Beyond Zero Waste’, we have continued to evolve our approach to circularity. Circularity is about keeping resources in use for as long as possible, delivering the highest value they can. So rather than making, using, and then throwing products or materials away (a linear system), a circular system looks at each of those stages for new ways of cycling materials and value back into the system – using materials and products again and again, in many different forms.

Net Zero Carbon Pathway

Our Vision

Hawksmoor at Canary Wharf

To become a fully circular neighbourhood

With a long-term vision to be a fully circular neighbourhood, we have undertaken a circular economy baseline exercise, incorporating construction and management activities.

Our vision to become a circular neighbourhood includes:

Things We Build – This is CWG’s most direct sphere of influence. They will embed circular principles into the design, construction, and operation of their buildings and spaces.

Waste We Manage – CWG handles all waste created on the estate. This waste will be treated as a resource, and CWG will use its insights to find valuable secondary uses for it. 

Partnerships We Nurture – This is CWG’s role as an enabler. They will amplify their impact by supporting our occupiers, supply chains, and local community to accelerate their own Circular Economy journeys.

Read our latest ESG Report which details our circular economy strategy in more detail.  

Download ESG Report 2025

Operational Waste Strategy

Our Impact

recyling bins at Canary Wharf
Recycle Week at Canary Wharf: How to Take Part and Beyond

See how we are driving sustainability for the Canary Wharf community.

Read more
Treeline view of building at Canary Wharf
Driving Sustainable Action in Canary Wharf

We are making sustainability an integral part of the Canary Wharf estate.

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News

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Next
Materials Stay in Use, Value Stays in the System – How Artist Niamh Hannaford Turned Circularity Principles into Contemporary Art at Canary Wharf – 23.09.26
23 September 2026
Materials Stay in Use, Value Stays in the System – How Artist Niamh Hannaford Turned Circularity Principles into Contemporary Art at Canary Wharf – 23.09.26
Groundbreaking Carbon-Storing Concrete Sets Pathway to Net Zero in Industry First – 11.03.26
11 March 2026
Groundbreaking Carbon-Storing Concrete Sets Pathway to Net Zero in Industry First – 11.03.26
Aqua Libra Launches London’s First Wasteshark to Eliminate Plastic from Canary Wharf’s Waterways Ahead of Global Recycling Day – 16.03.23
16 March 2023
Aqua Libra Launches London’s First Wasteshark to Eliminate Plastic from Canary Wharf’s Waterways Ahead of Global Recycling Day – 16.03.23
Canary Wharf is the World’s First Commercial Centre to be Awarded Plastic Free Communities Status By Surfers Against Sewage – 05.06.19
5 June 2019
Canary Wharf is the World’s First Commercial Centre to be Awarded Plastic Free Communities Status By Surfers Against Sewage – 05.06.19
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