What: The retailer is looking for environmental “innovators” and has launched a GBP 1 million ‘Circular Future Fund’ to challenge the “make… use… throw away” model.

Why it is important: Part funded by the sale of 10p plastic bags in stores, John Lewis hoped to unearth “scalable” ideas “helping to accelerate the transition towards a more circular economy”.

The fund will offer individual grants of GBP 150,000-GBP 300,000. Participants are invited from academia, charities, social enterprises, and businesses that are less than five years old. An independent panel will review the projects.

John Lewis launches £1 million product sustainability challenge