Durham Strategic Plan Dashboard
Prosperity
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Initiative: 5.32 Explore strategies to establish a circular economy
Thriving & Vibrant Environment
Description
A circular economy is a cooperative model that continuously turns waste into resources by locally recirculating materials for reuse and remanufacture. Establishing a circular economy in Durham will help protect the environment, reduce natural resource dependence, create jobs, and save money.
Key Measures & Data Analysis
The City prepared and submitted a funding proposal request under the EPA's "Solid Waste Infrastructure for Recycling" (SWIFR) grant process in early 2025 for development of a ReUse Hub facility on a City-owned parcel on Glenn Road, adjacent to the closed landfill site (project titled “Equitable Green Workforce Development through a Circular Economy ReUse Hub in Durham, NC”). The proposed "ReUse Hub" would have delivered positive outcomes in both waste diversion through the capture and repurposing of items and materials such as mattresses, textiles, wood pallet6s, wood furniture, etc., as well as job creation, job training and employment reentry opportunities. Notification was received from EPA in December 2025 that the City's proposed project had not been selected for funding at that time.
Opportunities for partnerships for limited diversion of items and materials from disposal (clothing swap and exchanges, "Repair Cafe" events, computer repairs opportunities) were identified and explored on a limited basis by a FUSE Fellow position, which was later funded for one additional year (FY 24-25) by the City through use of ARPA.funds. A permanent position was approved for FY 25-26, but was repurposed within Environmental & Street Services due the lack of available funds for the proposed physical ReUse Hub facility.
Number of potential repurpose/reuse partners
Why is it important?
In practice, a circular economy diverts waste from the landfill by diverting usable materials and conserving valuable land. When a material is no longer useful for its original purpose, it can be kept within the economy via recycling, repurpose, reuse, and repair when properly diverted, where markets and a skilled workforce exist. Products and materials can be productively used again and again. This would aid the City in reducing its environmental impacts, such as energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Like energy efficiency efforts, establishing a circular economy will help the City be less reliant on scarce resources such as fossil fuels. Finally, in the long-term, a circular economy promotes sustainable consumption and production practices which benefit both the City and residents.
What have we been doing?
Staff have worked to advance plans for a Circular Economy ReUse Hub — a facility that would divert reusable materials from the landfill — while pursuing grant funding to support implementation.
Key activities include:
• Preparing for Circular Economy ReUse Hub facility design and implementation, pending CIP funding confirmation.
• Pursuing the EPA SWIFR grant to fund a Sustainability and Circular Economy Analyst position, which was ultimately not selected for award.
What's next?
While current funding limitations have slowed progress, the following steps will guide this initiative forward:
• Identify opportunities to engage/re-engage with community partners to promote waste reduction and reuse opportunities and events
• Continue research and exploration of potential new funding opportunities in support of development of a physical ReUse Hub facility.
• SWIFR Grant Closure – Completing the grant closeout process.
• Funding Strategy – Identifying alternative funding paths to advance the Circular Economy ReUse Hub when resources become available.
City Website Home Page: Durham, NC | Official Website (durhamnc.gov)
Budget Website Page: Budget & Management Services Department | Durham, NC (durhamnc.gov)
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