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Leading America’s First Circular City

ENVISION CHARLOTTE is a nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more sustainable, resilient, and circular city through innovation, collaboration, and community action.

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, our mission is to develop and scale solutions that reduce waste, conserve resources, and promote environmental equity.

By bringing together local government, businesses, nonprofits, and residents, we create replicable models that drive measurable impact—from rethinking how we manage plastics and food waste to empowering communities through education and hands-on programs. Through this work, Envision Charlotte is transforming Charlotte into a national leader in circular economy practices.

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OUR WORK
How it started
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Ground Zero for Circular Charlotte

The Innovation Barn, located at 932 Seigle Ave., serves as the epicenter of Circular Charlotte, a transformative partnership with the City of Charlotte aimed at transitioning to a circular economy. This dynamic space seamlessly integrates entrepreneurial ventures, zero-waste initiatives, and collaborative environments to educate, inspire, and implement sustainable practices. Owned by the City of Charlotte and expertly managed by Envision Charlotte, the Innovation Barn exemplifies how communities can merge innovation, sustainability, and economic vitality under one roof. Through engaging programming and immersive hands-on experiences, it empowers individuals and organizations to adopt circular economy principles that drive environmental stewardship and strengthen the local economy.

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A group of children sitting on the floor listening to a woman speak at a recycling education center inside a store.
A man standing in front of a blue brick wall decorated with various metal and copper objects, including a large sculpture of a hamster holding a ring. The door behind him has signs indicating the name 'Louise Cotton' and 'FACP.' A person is smiling and wearing glasses, a light-colored jacket, white shirt, and dark pants.
A pink certificate awarded at the World Smart City Awards 2024 for infrastructure and building, presented to Envision Charlotte from Charlotte, United States. The certificate features logos, signatures, and colorful graphics, held against a black background with a decorative white cutout below.
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