Lil Loop - What goes where?
Have you ever found yourself wanting to recycle an item, but have no clue how to? Perhaps, after endless internet searches, you’re left with conflicting information (wash and squash it whilst simultaneously leaving it unsquashed with the cap on??) Or, given information on how to recycle in Glasgow and Kraków, but not here!
Written by Niamh Pinkerton, Lil Loop Project Support
Well, over at Lil HQ we are working hard to bring an idea to life to make this process a WHOLE lot easier. This idea we have given the name; ‘Lil Loop’.
What exactly does Lil Loop intend to do?
Good question! Lil Loop is an East Lothian place-based database aimed to give the local community all the information to ‘repair, reuse and recycle’ an item.
By inputting your item title, you will receive tailored information on local options for redirecting your surplus or waste items!
Why is it important to keep things within the circular economy by repairing, reusing, and recycling?
By keeping items in use instead of disposing them, we are decreasing the extraction and processing of materials.
This has a big impact on nature and people - the less we waste the more there is to go round 🕺
What impact does the extraction and processing of materials have?
Global resource use is ever growing; in 2019 the International Resource Panel estimated that we are heading towards a doubling of material extraction by 2060 (IRP, 2019). At the time of the IRP report, we were consuming the resources of 1.75 earths (Global Footprint Network, 2019) and as of 2025 we are consuming the resources of 1.8 earths (Global Footprint Network, 2025).
This means that our ecosystems cannot currently regenerate in time, to keep up with our consumption and this trend is only growing.
How do we stop this trend?
We are not saying that this problem lies solely with the consumer. Absolutely not!
However, we do want to recognise the power citizens have to take action into their own hands and influence governments and industry/business.
How does Lil Loop aim to help this?
Lil Loop will share instant information about items, to make circular choices easier and more accessible! You search for an item and Loop will provide all the info you need to, find a new use, recycle or dispose of it. We’re looking for the solutions as close to home as possible.
What if I need to replace an item completely?
We understand there can be a limit on how many times you can repair an item (e.g., tights that have more ladders than a construction site!)
In this instance, long-lasting and circular designed products (e.g., second-hand; made from eco-friendly materials; designed with recycling and repairs in mind) are a big part of maintaining the circular economy.
Which is why we will also offer inspiration for alternative, lower impact options should you need to replace an item.
How do I stay in the loop about Lil Loop!?
Keep following our social media to get regular updates on the release!
Our Facebook is: https://www.facebook.com/DoLilThings; our Instagram is: https://www.instagram.com/dolilthings/ and you can sign up for our newsletter at the bottom of this page :-)
Can I help?
Oh, yes pleasee! We need volunteers to help us build and maintain the database (if you’re up for this task; drop us an email at hello@dolilthings.org!).
You are all really knowledgeable on repairing, reusing, or recycling items and/or local places where circular economy magic happens and we want to gather & share that with more people. You can spend as much (or as little time) as you want and it can be done from a computer at home….
We would also love for you to keep us informed on what items you need information on (socks, wetsuits, plant pots?)
When the database is live, you will be able to send us a quick suggestion or question andhe Lil Loop team will receive your bat signal and get to work on researching!
In the meantime…
We want to know; is there an item you have always struggled to repair, reuse, or recycle?
Let us know by dropping a comment below!
All the best
Niamh x