East London’s First Circular Economy Hub
East London isn’t just changing, it’s rewriting the rules. The old economy is breaking down, making way for something regenerative.
“Waste isn’t the end; it’s the start of something new.”
Big local names in Hackney Wick like Notpla have paved the way, but they’re just the beginning. The next wave in our community — Are You Mad, Silo, FibreLab, Zhero and dozens more — aren’t just running businesses; they’re redesigning the system. But they need spaces that foster creativity, not ones squeezed for efficiency.
That’s where our prototype “The Loop” comes in. It’s more than a workspace; it’s a launchpad for a new economy.
The Loop: Turning Empty Spaces into a Circular Economy Powerhouse
Before: A Wasted Asset, A Missed Opportunity
We at the HWFI CDT and Halcyon Development Partners (the landlord) have partnered to transform 119 Wallis Road into a circular economy hub focused on tackling food and packaging waste.
The Loop now was designed to help circular businesses scale by providing space for R&D, collaboration, and community engagement. It connects with the Future Industries Demonstrator programme, supported by partners including SHIFT London, Plexal, and UCL.
"This warehouse in Hackney Wick is a fantastic opportunity to showcase innovation and engage the community. We aim to secure more spaces like this across East London to build momentum for sustainable initiatives."— Alex Russell, Executive Director, HWFI CDT
This follows our successful launch of the Textile Reuse Hub and Sustainable Young Makers Programme at the Trampery, Fish Island, supporting textile reuse and youth entrepreneurship in sustainable business.
After: The Loop’s Impact Today
Instead of waiting years for redevelopment, The Loop repurposed what already existed—quickly, affordably, and sustainably.
📍 The Loop at the end of 2024 (Baseline Impact)
17 businesses supported—from material reuse to zero-waste food.
12 new jobs created—within a growing circular economy ecosystem.
~5-30 tonnes of waste diverted per business—creating measurable environmental impact.
Secure lease until 2026—with a 99-year future lease planned for scale.
“Within months, we turned an empty unit into a project that not just washes its face, as they say, but a high-impact circular economy hub like none the area has seen before.” – Patrick Scally (Executive Director HWFI CDT)
📣 Don’t just listen to us, hear what our landlord has to say about the value we’ve deliveredHuman Stories: The Loop in Action
Are You Mad?
Are You Mad transforms discarded plastic into design treasures, intertwining recycling with culture. Their innovative approach breathes new life into waste, crafting products that challenge our perception of refuse, and embodying a circular economy that reimagines sustainability.
Before The Loop:
Struggled to find an affordable, stable space to scale their high-impact material reuse studio.
Mostly working on pop-ups, limiting their ability to grow.
After The Loop:
A longer term home to prototype and produce new sustainable materials.
A circular supply chain hub—sourcing, recycling, and repurposing materials on-site.
Collaborations flourished—working with businesses at The Loop including Zhero for logistics, Objects of Strange Desire for installation design
"The main benefits of The Loop is idea sharing. If we don’t have the answer to a problem, i’m sure, we can find it in this building.” – Nadeem Daniel Are You Mad
SILO: The Future of Zero-Waste Food?
Silo stands as a beacon of sustainability, pioneering zero-waste dining. Their Fermentation Factory transforms food waste into culinary gold, crafting miso from spent grains and 'zero soy sauce' from surplus bread. This innovative approach redefines gastronomy, turning refuse into flavour-rich treasures.
Before The Loop:
No large kitchen space for R&D, making it hard to develop their pioneering zero-waste food systems.
Barriers to scaling their closed-loop restaurant model, which eliminates food waste and inefficiencies.
After The Loop:
A dedicated factory for experimentation, to scale their zero-waste fermentation system
Direct partnerships with local producers, waste innovators, and selling to local businesses like WinWin Food Labs
A flagship proof-of-concept—SILO is now a leader in rethinking the future of food waste.
“The Loop is where ideas become reality. It’s proof that circular systems don’t just work—they thrive.” – Ryan Walker, Head of Fermentation
James Knight - Senior Development Manager Halcyon DP
Microeconomic, Social & Ecological Impact of The Loop Businesses
📍 Microeconomic Impact
Business Growth: 60% of businesses at The Loop have 1-5 employees, showing strong early-stage startup engagement.
Revenue Generation: 40% of businesses generated £0-25,000 in the last financial year, with clear room for scaling.
Local Economy Boost: Many businesses operate within East London’s circular economy supply chain, reinforcing local economic resilience.
📍 Social Impact
Diversity in Leadership:
20% of businesses have 25-50% BAME leadership representation.
40% have 75-100% women in leadership.
Community Engagement: Businesses benefit from events like Circular Neighbourhood Conferences and Open Studios, integrating the local community into The Loop’s ecosystem.
📍 Ecological Impact
Waste Reduction: Businesses at The Loop divert 5-30 tonnes of material waste per year from landfill.
Infrastructure Needs: Business feedback highlights the need for improved facilities, charging infrastructure, and renewable energy sources to further enhance sustainability impact.
The Takeaway: A Scalable Model for the Future
🔹 For Landlords: An opportunity to bring the bleeding edge the whole economic system to your development with the reduced risk of vacancies decaying the vibrancy of your development.
🔹 For Funders: A cost-effective way to stimulate economic growth and sustainability goals.
🔹 For Policymakers: A blueprint for scaling circular economy hubs across London that makes community members owners, not just beneficiaries of change.
Not every transformation needs a bulldozer. Some just need a fresh perspective.
In 2023, 119 Wallis Rd was just 10,000 sq ft of wasted potential:
no businesses
no impact
no income
Fast forward to today, now The Loop has:
provided 17 circular economy pioneers with low cost space
created 12 new jobs
tonnes of waste saved from landfill
But here’s the real question: What if we had more?
🚀 More space → More businesses, more jobs, more impact
🔋 More features → Smarter recycling, cleaner energy, better production
📆 Longer leases → Deeper investment, stronger community ties
Well that is soon to be a reality. We’ve just secured a 99-year lease at peppercorn rent!
