Circular Kitchens began in early 2024 as an idea to accelerate the transition to just and circular food systems. We spent six months researching and developing a practical framework for kitchens to become catalysts for change, recognising that kitchens shape the food system through everyday practices and procurement decisions.
From this work, we developed our core principles — plastic-free, ecological, local and zero waste — and translated them into clear, actionable pledges that kitchens can realistically adopt. Achieving these pledges is how kitchens become certified, with 1, 2, and 3 star certification levels that allow intention and progress to be celebrated as well as excellence.
From idea to pilot
By summer 2024, the Circular Kitchens framework was ready: simple steps that kitchens can take to change the way they operate.
We launched our website and began working directly with restaurants, cafés and pubs in Whitstable — our seaside testbed and home base. Our aim was to bring on 10 Founding Members to refine and validate the framework over 18 months, the time we estimated establishments would need to achieve our 1–3 Star pledges.
Where we are today
Today, all 10 Founding Members are certified Circular Kitchens. Six have already reached 3 Stars, with the rest nearly there.
The framework has been tested in real kitchens, under real commercial conditions, — and it works. We are now getting ready to scale.
What we’ve built along the way
As we worked closely with our members, we focused on solving the practical challenges they face when trying to go circular.
One of the biggest barriers is simply knowing where to start. Sustainability can feel complex and difficult to navigate. To address this, we developed the Circular Kitchens Platform — a simple system where businesses can track their progress, access clear guidance and practical resources, and move step-by-step towards achieving their pledges.
Another key challenge is sourcing sustainable non-consumable products like cups, napkins and soaps. Greenwashing makes it difficult to identify genuinely sustainable options. In response, we developed a wholesale sustainable products database, which we are now evolving into a fully-fledged marketplace members will find inside their platform. Products are scored and ranked across ecological impact, locality and zero waste, with plastic treated as a red line. The aim is to take the pain out of sustainable procurement.
We also recognised the difficulty of sourcing hyperlocal and ecological food and beverages. We are therefore building a supplier directory focused on key staple products, combining market research with direct engagement with suppliers. This includes working with suppliers to expand their distribution routes into places like Whitstable, and connecting kitchens with hyperlocal producers of essentials such as milk, eggs and chicken.
Finally, we have been developing the Circular Kitchens Champions Course as— a practical training pathway for those working in hospitality who want to build the skills and confidence to deliver sustainability in their kitchens. This will guide members through their journey in a clear and structured way (the £150 accreditation course is included in the membership fee).
What comes next
Our Founding Members will continue to inform and shape our work as we scale, ensuring the model remains practical and grounded in real kitchen environments.
We plan to onboard one CK Rep per postcode as we grow across the country, while also building partnerships with councils, NGOs and aligned businesses.
Circular Kitchens is also expanding beyond commercial kitchens. We are preparing to launch a guide to help households turn their own kitchens at home into circular kitchens in 2026/27.
The bigger picture
Circular Kitchens is about more than certification. It is about reshaping the food system from the ground up.
By making kitchens more local, ecological, plastic-free and zero waste, we can begin to shift the system as a whole.
Join us on this fun and meaningful journey:
Households: Join the community
Businesses: Become a Member