Orkney Circular Economy Network
An Orkney Circular Economy Network has been established to promote the Circular Economy in Orkney. Our first project is to launch an Orkney Repair and Reuse Directory, building on the Highland Repair Directory created for the Highlands by the Highland Community Waste Partnership.
The Orkney Repair and Reuse Directory is a free, community-focused resource that makes it easier than ever to give items a second life. From broken appliances and worn clothing to unwanted furniture and bicycles, the directory connects people with local businesses, charities, and community groups that can help repair or rehome them.
Residents can use the directory to find:
Repair services – For electronics, clothing, furniture, bikes, and more.
Donation points – Charity shops, community projects, and reuse hubs.
Repair cafes & upcycling workshops – Where skills are shared to extend the life of goods.
By helping people extend the life of everyday items and keep valuable materials in circulation, the directory aims to support Orkney’s transition to a circular economy—where resources are reused, repurposed, and kept in use for as long as possible.
The Orkney Circular Economy Network is a partnership between;
The Highlands and Islands Climate Hub
To strengthen collaboration on circular economy and zero waste, the partnership have created a network that brings community groups, businesses and organisations together to connect, share knowledge, and build a more resilient, sustainable future. Members of the network can communicate and share information via a dedicated Microsoft Teams site.
Browse the map below to find share, repair and recycle services in Orkney.
Zoom into the map in your area to get a closer look at what's available near you. You can also narrow down your search by clicking on the left side menu to select a category of item. Click on an entry to get more details.
If you offer a share, repair, recycling or resell service in Orkney, please add yourself to the directory, by filling out this form:
Network members
Orkney Wide
-
Email:
community.planning@orkney.gov.uk
Contact:
George Vickers -
Email:
shona.flanagan@hient.co.uk
Contact:
Shona Flanagan -
Email:
anna.gardiner@outlook.com
Contact:
Anna Charlotta Gardiner -
Website:
www.orkney.gov.uk/our-services/waste-and-recycling/
Email:
recycling@orkney.gov.uk
Contact:
Mark Vincent
Description:
Local Authority waste and recycling
Category:
Recycling
Outer Isles
-
Website:
www.scottish-islands-federation.co.uk
Email:
marinelitter@scottish-islands-federation.co.uk
Contact:
John Berry
Description:
The SIF Marine Litter Working Group is actively engaged with stakeholders in efforts to deliver on the long term ambition of the 2045 Blue Economy vision for Scotland.
Category:
Other -
Email:
cdo@sandaydt.org
Contact:
Kieron Brogan -
Email:
cdo@edaypartnership.org
Contact:
Jody Walker -
Website:
www.westraydevelopmenttrust.co.uk
Email:
gina@westraydevelopmenttrust.co.uk
Contact:
Gina Rendall
Description:
We have a charity shop and community garden.
Category:
Charity Shop -
Website:
Shapinsay.org.uk
Email:
boathouse@shapinsay.org.uk
Contact:
Lisa-Marie Muir
Description:
We have a charity shop that we use as a way to help people be able to pass on things they no longer use and allow others to be able to afford things they otherwise might not be able to. We also give a portion of our income to community groups, who use it as an opportunity to raise funds and have a clear out at the same time!
Category:
Charity Shop -
Website:
www.sandaycrafthub.com
Email:
Sandaycommunitycrafthub@yahoo.com
Contact:
Tracy Ranger
Description:
We sell gifts made from items salvaged from beach cleans and other recycled materials, along with many other crafts made on Sanday.
Category:
Other -
Website:
https://padlet.com/naomi219/stronsay-development-trust-yoz2gzuowbyqsj6q
Email:
shani@stronsaydevelopmenttrust.com
Contact:
Shani Hall, Development Officer
Description:
Our cardboard log recycling initiative is a practical, community-led solution addressing local waste and energy challenges. In our remote island setting, we collect clean, dry cardboard from households and local businesses and repurpose it into dense cardboard logs, suitable for multifuel stoves. These are widely used in homes here due to high fuel costs and limited access to other heating sources.This initiative diverts cardboard from landfill or off-island processing, reducing transport emissions and supporting our local circular economy. By turning waste into a resource, we keep materials in use longer and reduce our community’s environmental footprint.
The project offers direct benefits to residents by providing a low-cost, sustainable fuel alternative supporting those facing fuel poverty, particularly in colder months. It also raises awareness of environmental issues and promotes sustainable habits within the community.
Cardboard is shredded & compressed into logs. The Trust employs a member of staff to work on this process and we sell the logs direct and from out local village shop contributing to local resilience and providing opportunities for learning, and practical skills development.
Looking ahead, we plan to expand capacity and explore additional circular economy initiatives such as composting green waste, a charity shop and PAT testing small electricals to be reused in the community again items saved from landfill. This impactful project highlights how local, circular solutions can meet community needs while helping to address climate challenges and build long-term sustainability.
Category:
Recycling -
Email:
wanda.mermaid@yahoo.co.uk
Contact:
Corina Taylor
Description:
Clothing repairs & alterations, from zip replacement, torn/worn items, to altering lengths of dresses/trousers, etc
Category:
Repair Services -
Website:
www.rinansayweavings.co.uk
Email:
woollywally@gmail.com
Contact:
Helen galland
Description:
Textiles artist using the by products of the north ronaldsay wool mill.
Category:
Other
Orkney Mainland
-
Email:
jon@jwrc.co.uk
Contact:
Jonathan Ratter
Description:
Consultant currently working for THAW Orkney on retrofit projects. One of the Directors of the Scottish Ecological Design Association (SEDA) and one of the organisers of their 2025 conference on Sufficiency.
Category:
Other -
Website:
www.kgsorkney.com
Email:
gw11ogbhemhetheophil@glow.sch.uk
Contact:
Theo Ogbhemhe
Description:
The senior classes become environmental campaigners during their years 4,5 and 6. The environmental action group recycles and plants trees
Category:
Recycling -
Website:
www.soulisquoy.co.uk
Email:
manager@soulisquoy.co.uk
Contact:
Carol Dunbar
Description:
We are an arts-based printmaking facility, with a strong outreach and youth led programme. We are keen to learn how we can be both more sustainable and reduce our environmental impact. In addition we see creativity as a key way to communicate and engage with others on important issues such as the environment and circular economy. -
Website:
www.orkneytech.co.uk
Email:
info@orkneytech.co.uk
Contact:
Kerry Fotheringhame
Description:
At OrkneyTech we repair and refurbish devices to give them a new lease of life.
Category:
Repair Services -
Website:
www.i-repairorkney.com
Email:
ray@i-repairorkney.com
Contact:
MR Raymond Howitt
Description:
I Repair Orkney Ltd offers expert tech repair services that extend the life of electronic devices, supporting sustainability and waste reduction. We repair mobile phones, laptops, tablets, desktop PCs, and gaming consoles. Our services help keep tech in use longer, reducing the need for landfill disposal and encouraging a circular tech economy across Orkney, Shetland, and surrounding areas. Fast turnaround, warranty-backed repairs, and support for remote island customers via Royal Mail.
Category:
Repair Services -
Email:
mark.e.cook@hotmail.com
Contact:
Mark Cook
Description:
Recycling fishing rope into something useful
Category:
Recycling -
Website:
orkneylibrary.org.uk
Email:
library@orkney.gov.uk
Contact:
Sue House
Description:
We share books and many other resources including a dressing-up costume and welly swap in Kirkwall, in Stromness Warehouse Buildings, on the Mobile Library; and online.In Kirkwall, we have a Lend and Mend Hub with sewing machines and other equipment for clothing repair and making, and soon there will be general tools and equipment to borrow.
We are also a Community Resource Centre for the Islands Community Action Network.
Category:
Other -
Website:
https://www.facebook.com/RepairCafeOrkney/
Email:
repaircafeorkney@gmail.com
Contact:
Anne Sayer
Description:
Repair Cafe Orkney is a pop-up volunteer-led event that helps local people repair items that would otherwise be thrown away.
Category:
Repair Services -
Website:
thaworkney.co.uk
Email:
info@thaworkney.co.uk
Contact:
Michael Butler
Description:
THAW Orkney is a charity that provides energy advice to households, including supporting access to financial support for clients on low incomes. We are trialling a repair and upgrade service for properties on some of the outer isles (at present Eday and Rousay, Egilsay and Wyre) which will be extended across Orkney if successful. This work focusses on helping households to repair fabric issues with properties in order to facilitate access to energy efficiency upgrades.
Category:
Repair Services -
Website:
greenerorkney.org.uk/community-fridge
Email:
greenerorkney@gmail.com
Contact:
Angela Fitzpatrick
Description:
We take donations of food from businesses or individuals and redistribute them. We also have a refillery for Bio-D products in Stromness.
Category:
Other -
Website:
www.orkneycommunities.co.uk/oz/
Email:
orkzerowaste@gmail.com
Contact:
Nicky Getgood, Administrator
Description:
Orkney Zerowaste Yard is a place you can bring unwanted but usable goods and other people can come and get items for a small donation towards running the yard and our other charitable activities, such as our small grant scheme. We take in DIY items, wood, metal etc, household items, gardening equpment, plants and trees, bicycles, and small pieces of furniture, etc. We help reduce waste by promoting the reuse of goods
Category:
Other -
Website:
www.upholsteredbyeilidh.com
Email:
upholstered23@gmail.com
Contact:
Eilidh Mainland
Description:
Upholstered by Eilidh provides full upholstery services for furniture.
Category:
Repair Services -
Website:
www.beach gallery.vo.uk
Email:
artyinternet@mac.com
Contact:
Carolyn Shepherd
Description:
Making use of scrap fabric & surplus donated materials to create art & craft workshops for the local community.
Category:
Recycling -
Email:
jeanie_ies@gmx.com
Contact:
Jeanie Molyneux
Description:
We are a small informal group, aiming to help promote and encourage growing and sharing locally grown food. We have established planters in Stromness, growing vegetables, fruit and herbs, as well as planting fruit trees around the town. At present, we are focusing on maintaining the planters and trees already in place, but would welcome any interest from others who would like to develop the project further.
Category:
Other