Lancaster University

ReStore Lancaster: Sustainable innovation in retail

In October 2023, Lancaster University opened a new sustainable shop, ReStore Lancaster. A unique collaboration with a local charity, St John’s Hospice, which provides palliative care for the community of North Lancashire, South Lakes and parts of North Yorkshire and Green Lancaster. It is a sustainability initiative on campus, promoting activities aimed at raising awareness and engaging with Lancaster students on issues of sustainability.

The shop provides second-hand, recycled, upcycled and more environmentally sustainable products to the campus and wider community to encourage and promote responsible retailing and purchasing, and a central “hub” for sustainability in the heart of campus that makes it more accessible to people.

The key element of ReStore is to encourage a circular economy on campus, whilst helping the local community through raising awareness and funds for the local hospice charity.

Top 3 Learnings

1. Partnerships and collaborations help the project reach more people. Where we had strong partnerships, we saw growth.
2. There is a strong appetite amongst students for upcycling and reusing clothing.
3. Students want to actively participate – not just as consumers, but also through volunteering.