The University of Warwick Champions Circularity Through the ReStart® Program

The University of Warwick Champions Circularity Through the ReStart® Program

The University of Warwick has reinforced its commitment to sustainability and the circular economy by partnering with Maris Interiors and Tarkett in the ReStart® program. In April 2025, 4,737 kilograms of post-consumer carpet tiles were successfully recovered from Riley Court, an academic building on campus, marking a significant step in reducing waste and extending the lifecycle of valuable materials. This recovery effort is estimated to have saved approximately 12.3 tonnes of CO₂e, the equivalent of taking 2.7 petrol cars off the road for a year.

The recovered carpet tiles are being repurposed through Tarkett’s ReStart® program, with the support of reuse partner Uplyfted. Uplyfted works with Social Housing Associations to provide affordable soft floorcoverings to low-income families across the UK. This initiative delivers both environmental benefits and social value, supporting communities in need while preventing usable materials from becoming waste.

The University’s involvement in the ReStart® program is part of a broader sustainability agenda that prioritises innovation, responsibility, and community impact. By collaborating with industry partners like Maris and Tarkett, Warwick continues to lead by example —demonstrating how universities can realise the environmental, economic and social benefits of the circular economy through practical, impactful action.