About us
We are a not-for-profit community interest company, dedicated to establishing a circular economy in Malton and Norton. Our passionate team empowers the local community to reduce waste, promote upcycling, and adopt sustainable practices that benefit both the environment and the economy. Together, we aim to make a positive impact and tackle climate change through collective action.
Our Story
Established in 2021, we are a not-for-profit community interest company driven by a group of passionate like-minded individuals who understand that most people, like us, want to contribute to tackling climate change but may hesitate to change their habits for various reasons.
We were inspired by the concept of a circular economy, despite initially knowing little about it. Our approach focuses on empowering the local community from the ground up, advocating for environmentally and socially beneficial changes that also make economic sense.
Our mission is to establish a circular economy in the Malton and Norton area—one that reduces waste, promotes upcycling and repurposing, and strengthens our community bonds. We aim to make a positive impact on our towns, protect the environment, and bring people together.
This project began with the goal of promoting behavioural change and introducing the circular economy into market towns. By supporting both businesses and residents, we aim to create a system where waste is minimised through long-lasting design, repair, reuse, remanufacturing, and recycling, making it easier for everyone to adopt sustainable practices.
Our Achievements
2025 Visa National Winner
Awarded the 2025 'Let’s Celebrate Towns' Circularity title at the House of Lords for our work revitalising the local high street and economy.
UK Government Case Study
Featured in official HM Government guidance as a pioneering national blueprint for embedding circular behaviour into community life.
Regional Climate Leader
Recognised by the Yorkshire & Humber Climate Commission for delivering fair, inclusive, and people-centred climate action.
Meet the team
Directors and Board
Sue Jefferson
Co-founder and Chair
Sue, a local resident, actively volunteers her time as a governor at Malton School, a Non-Executive Director at Seagrown, a Scarborough-based seaweed company, and serves as Chair of the Business Board for the Local Enterprise Partnership.
With a long-standing career in senior management, including experience as a Board Director, Sue now works as a business consultant, advocating for diversity of thinking and change management as ways to drive better outcomes for all.
Andrew Riley
Board Advisor
A long-time resident of Malton, Andrew has been a director of Circular Malton and played a pivotal role in establishing Ryedale Remakes. With over 30 years of experience in the food industry, Andrew later transitioned to running his own business, organising and managing markets and events in Malton and throughout North and East Yorkshire. A passionate advocate for the Circular Economy, Andrew is deeply involved in sustainability efforts. Now recently retired, he volunteers his time to support Ryedale Remakes.
Anna
Director
Anna is multi talented and we hope to use all her skills as the circular economy is so varied. With a background in Sustainability and Environmental Studies, and several jobs including co-ordinating fun upcycling workshops or designing trusted ways to offer energy advice and renewable solutions, Anna leads our energy and business innovation projects. She is also a qualified electrician and is the co-creator of an amazing local rum. She splits her time between her beloved Scarborough and Glasgow so is often in our Malton Hub or workshop.
Trevor
Director
Trevor brings his professional expertise as not only an independent project manager but also as a former Chair of Trustees of St Nick’s, an environmental charity based in York. He is also a whizz carpenter and wood turner with some of his work on display in our shop. Having chaired our CIC at its inception, he is now enjoying more time for his cycling adventures around Europe, but valuable to us as he remains passionately committed in his new role as a Non Executive Director.
Caroline
Director
Volunteers
Steve Tarn
Workshop Lead
Steve served in the North Yorkshire Police for 30 years before retiring and relocating to Malton a few years ago. He began volunteering with Circular Malton when the upcycling initiative was first conceived and has since played a key role in shaping the vision and design of the Ryedale Remakes workshop. Steve now oversees the refurbishment of all our upcycled items, having taught himself woodworking skills along the way.
Most recently Steve has established the Ryedale Remakes workshop as a place that combines new upcycling design ideas (transforming items into lamps being a speciality), customer commissioning projects and skill based classes for folk sharing his passion or wanting to learn new skills.
Helen
Voulnteer / Artist in Residence
From studying hair & beauty at York College to becoming an office manager, most recently with a home improvement company in Filey, Helen is also an amazing self taught artist. During lockdown she started to paint empty tins of beans & tuna turning them into tree decorations; something that helped her emotionally at this difficult time.
Her artistic flair developed further, using the discarded windows from work as canvas so giving them a quirky and new lease of life. Now painting on anything that may otherwise be thrown away, she established her passion as Heart The Art. Upon hearing of Circular Malton & Norton and the upcycling initiative, she pushed herself to meet the people involved and ‘hasn’t looked back since’.
Volunteering Opportunities
We’re always looking for friendly hands to help us grow. Whether you’re a skilled fixer, a passionate organiser, or just want to support a greener high street, your time makes a huge difference. Join our team at the Circular Hub and help us build a more sustainable Malton and Norton.