Cat Fletcher
Resource goddess & founder of Freegle; UK’s biggest online free reuse network
Cat Fletcher is an award-winning and tireless waste-prevention activist, researcher and practitioner. She is at the frontline of facilitating and accelerating reuse in Brighton (UK) and beyond.
In 2009 Cat co-founded Freegle: UK’s biggest online free reuse network now with 4 million members and she still does all their publicity. Each month Freegle activity keeps ~1,000 tonnes in circulation (and not hoarded, in landfill or incinerators) and helps citizens save money.
Cat is a driving force behind the multi-award winning Waste House at the University of Brighton (built 2012-14) – it’s 90% constructed with ‘waste’ which Cat sourced as part of Design Team. Consequently, contributing a chapter for architect Duncan Baker-Brown’s book about design and the circular economy “The Reuse Atlas” (2017|2023).
When she’s not talking, lecturing, nagging and enthusing about waste and reuse, Cat is actually enabling it! She set up an Environmental Hub “Planet Brighton” in the city centre and hosts its weekly Free Shop; supplies projects and good causes with materials diverted from waste from 6 shipping containers; is sub-contracted by Councils, the NHS and others to facilitate reuse for their estates (2014-present).
Cat has contributed to conferences, debates, policy, consultations, tenders, strategy and research programmes for corporates, public bodies and the voluntary sector and is considered an expert in waste prevention and transitioning to a circular economy. She’s also sharing solutions and inspiration to prevent waste 24/7 via 100+k social media followers.
Cat collaborates across all sectors to provide solutions to niche and ubiquitous waste problems and consumption issues.