Author
Rosie Murphy
Date
24-01-2023
Company
Plus X
Location
Plus X Brighton
Brighton and Hove is a city that cares about the planet. From having the first (and currently only!) Green MP in the UK to the impressive number of sustainable and zero-waste shops dotted in its streets, it’s no wonder the city was crowned the most eco-friendly city in the country by Garden Life in 2021.
And while there’s plenty we can do as individuals to help keep Brighton green and sustainable, we must take responsibility as businesses too. In this article, we’ve put together a list of green groups and initiatives for businesses to get involved with to build a more sustainable and positive future for the city, the people, and the planet.
Pioneers
Pioneers is an intensive innovation programme, part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, that takes place over two days at Plus X Brighton. The programme is designed for business leaders and startups that want to make a positive impact with their work. Participants are supported to develop meaningful collaborations with industry partners through 1:1 support, talks, and group training sessions.
The BRITE programme works to bring together those in business who want to make a lasting and meaningful impact and take action to protect the planet through innovation. Your time on the programme will include; improving supply chains, identifying opportunities with value-aligned organisations, corporate networking, and tailored mentorship.
Applications for the February cohort of Pioneers are now open – apply today.
The Green Centre
Travelling up and down Sussex, The Green Centre is a mobile teaching unit that works to increase community engagement and awareness surrounding global warming and climate change on a local, national and international scale. You can regularly find their workshop at the Open Market and hire their experts for talks, workshops and consultancy for businesses and education.
Their ‘Oceans 8 Brighton’ team comprises some of the leading women fighting against climate change and sustainability in the city, including Freegle Co-Founder Cat Fletcher, The Green Centre Co-Founder Melanie Rees, and Sustainability Life Coach Clare Osborn.
Product Foundry: Sustainable Design
Product Foundry: Sustainable Design is an intensive 3-day innovation programme for SMEs working in the design, manufacture, or distribution of physical products. Participants work with a group of peers to learn about sustainable design, regenerative materials, and running a circular economy business.
The programme is run by BRITE experts Andrew Sleigh, Workshop Manager at Plus X Brighton, and James Tooze, Course Leader of Product Design with Professional Experience at University of Brighton. Apply to join the next cohort – starting in March 2023.
Living Coast Partnership
Made up of over forty organisations, the Living Coast Partnership is a collaborative effort that supports and delivers sustainability and bio-diversity projects from the South Downs all the way to the River Ouse. The area is recognised as one of UNESCO’s biospheres, which supports the initiative. Their projects include the Brighton and Hove Wider Verges Project that pilots wildlife grass management across the city to increase biodiversity.
Living Coast Partnership provides resources and support for local businesses looking to get involved and support the project and have a directory of companies which share the Living Coast’s values and goals.
Recorra
Initially founded in 1988 by Friends of the Earth, Recorra (previously known as Paper Round) is now a standalone expert in commercial recycling, committed to improving Brighton and Hove’s recycling and green credentials all the way up to London. Businesses can limit their impact on the environment by improving recycling rates.
As an ethical company, they remain flexible and responsive and enable businesses in the city to manage their resources responsibly, working together towards a less polluted planet. On top of this, they have a dedicated sustainability team and offer employee engagement programmes for businesses to help their teams recycle more effectively.
Better World Collective
Better World Collective teams up corporates that have sustainability challenges with the innovators that hold the answers. An initiative run by the Plus X team, Better World Collective brings together industry leaders, brands, and startups through regular summits and bespoke innovation support.
The summits are a chance for businesses to share knowledge and expertise and collaborate with likeminded companies looking to make lasting and impactful change on the planet. Find out how startups and corporates can join the movement.
BRITE (Brighton Research Innovation Technology Exchange) is an ERDF-funded business support project in partnership with The University of Brighton. The project supports ambitious and scaling businesses in the Coast to Capital region (however applications are considered from outside the area).
The BRITE project is receiving up to £5m of funding from the European Regional Development Fund as part of the European Structural and Investment Funds Growth Programme 2014-2020.
