Slough Champions Green Innovation and Circular Economy Partnerships.

Slough is stepping up its ambition to become a greener, fairer, and more resilient economy by actively promoting green innovation and supporting businesses that are embedding circular economy principles within their operations. As a strategically located hub for industry, logistics, and technology, Slough is ideally positioned to lead the way in adopting sustainable, resource-efficient business models that deliver both commercial and environmental value.

In a climate where towns and cities across the UK are under increasing pressure to reduce carbon emissions and limit environmental impact, Slough recognises the importance of working collaboratively with the business community to unlock new opportunities for sustainable growth. Through developing partnerships with organisations committed to green innovation, the borough aims to accelerate the transition to a circular economy — one where waste is designed out, resources are kept in use for as long as possible, and natural systems are regenerated.

Pat Hayes, Executive Director of Housing, Property, and Regeneration at Slough Borough Council, says: “Slough is serious about building a greener, fairer, and more resilient local economy. By supporting businesses that embrace circular economy principles, we’re not only reducing our environmental footprint but also unlocking new opportunities for innovation, investment, and inclusive growth. Our ambition is to ensure that Slough remains one of the UK’s most dynamic business locations while playing its part in addressing the climate emergency.”

How Slough is Stepping Up

Slough is actively strengthening its position as a forward-looking destination for green innovation by working with partners to explore opportunities for embedding sustainability and circular economy principles into its economic development activity. Green growth has been identified as a priority theme within the borough’s inward investment narrative, and the Council is in discussions with businesses, developers, and investors to support projects that prioritise resource efficiency, low-carbon technologies, and waste reduction.

Areas of focus being explored and promoted through partnerships include:

• Incorporating sustainability considerations into development and investment promotion activity, encouraging new industrial, logistics, and commercial schemes to support decarbonisation, biodiversity and resilience priorities.

• Facilitating partnerships between businesses, landowners, and environmental specialists to identify opportunities for circular economy initiatives — such as repurposing underused industrial land for clean energy generation, materials recovery, and low-carbon construction projects.

• Supporting local employers to develop greener, more resilient business models through targeted sustainability briefings, skills programmes, and peer-to-peer business networks sharing good practice on resource efficiency and waste minimisation.

• Collaborating with anchor organisations including SEGRO, Veolia, and Thames Valley Chamber of Commerce to promote a joined-up, cross-sector approach to sustainable industrial growth and the adoption of circular economy principles.

•     Positioning Slough as a strategic location for low-carbon industry and innovation, leveraging its proximity to Heathrow, London, and the Thames Valley innovation corridor to attract businesses in sustainable logistics, advanced manufacturing, and environmental services.

These emerging priorities build on existing activity within the borough and reflect Slough’s commitment to working with the private sector to help shape a greener, fairer, and more resilient economy for the future.

Good Practice in Action

Several businesses based in and around Slough are already demonstrating the commercial and environmental benefits of circular economy thinking:

• SEGRO’s Sustainable Industrial Development: As the owner and operator of the Slough Trading Estate — the largest industrial estate in single ownership in Europe — SEGRO is integrating sustainability and circular construction principles into its operations. New developments increasingly incorporate recycled and low-carbon materials, rainwater harvesting systems, and designs that prioritise operational carbon reduction and biodiversity enhancements, supporting the borough’s environmental aspirations.

• Veolia’s Waste-to-Energy Facilities: Veolia operates energy recovery facilities serving Slough and the wider region, converting non-recyclable waste into renewable electricity and heat. This helps divert waste from landfill while providing a sustainable, low-carbon energy source for local businesses — a model being actively promoted within the borough’s investment narrative as part of its low-carbon growth ambitions.

• Mars UK’s Circular Manufacturing Practices: With a major production facility in Slough, Mars UK is advancing circular economy practices through a zero waste to landfill policy, packaging designed for recyclability, and by-product reuse initiatives. These activities contribute to reducing the facility’s environmental impact while demonstrating the commercial viability of sustainable manufacturing practices in the area.

Looking Ahead

As global awareness of the climate emergency continues to grow, Slough is determined to play an active role in supporting green innovation and promoting sustainable business practices through partnership-led initiatives. The Council is exploring new opportunities to collaborate with investors, developers, and businesses aligned with circular economy values and low-carbon growth.

By championing innovation, driving responsible investment, and highlighting business leadership in sustainability, Slough is positioning itself as a leading destination for enterprises that want to succeed commercially while making a positive environmental and social contribution.