Circular Economy Intern - Glasgow City Council

Applications Open: 29-06-2026

Applications Close: 13-07-2026

Working Hours: 35 per week

Interviews: Late July

Length of placement: 1 year

Wage: £13.45 per hour Real Living Wage

Location: 231 George Street, G1 1RX

Working pattern: Monday-Friday 9am - 5pm

The Organisation Glasgow City Council is the largest local authority in Scotland. Through Zero Waste Scotland’s Circular Economy Intern Programme, there is an exciting opportunity to join the innovative and forward‑thinking Sustainability service and support the circular economy transition in Glasgow, contributing to the City’s efforts to tackle the climate and ecological emergency.

The NRS Sustainability service manages Glasgow’s Climate Plan and a host of associated strategies and plans, including the Circular Economy Route Map and Action Plan. The Route Map addresses the need to move away from the “take‑make‑dispose” extractive model to a regenerative circular system where waste and pollution is eliminated, materials and products stay in use, and nature is regenerated. The Action Plan focuses on how to deliver this across a range of stakeholders including the Council, private sector, and civil society.

The post holder will support the delivery of actions within the Circular Economy Route Map and Action Plan.

The Role The delivery of Glasgow’s Circular Economy Route Map and Action Plan is underway. The internship will directly support and contribute to the delivery of various actions. Specific focus will be on the following topics:

• circular/reuse hubs
• support for circular initiatives and practices
• engagement and raising awareness of circular economy

Key tasks will include:

• Supporting scoping and engagement activities with circular economy communities, organisations and businesses with the aim to explore and co‑design reuse hubs in the city.
• Building on the circular economy initiatives mapping to expand the understanding of the state of circular economy and systems in the city.
• Exploring opportunities for vacant and underused premises and land to support unlocking premises for circular economy activities, communities and organisations.
• Scoping the circular economy forums, starting from existing material/sector topic priorities.
• Supporting other Circular Economy Action Plan priority actions.

The intern will benefit from being embedded in a team with diverse expertise and backgrounds and will have the opportunity to engage and interact with a great variety of climate related topics and projects.

The Candidate A degree or equivalent level qualification in a relevant discipline or demonstrable relevant professional experience is essential.

Education, qualifications & training: Relevant degree and/or qualification e.g. sustainability, environmental science, circular economy, policy or demonstrable experience in relevant sectors.

Skills:

• Experience of supporting sustainability/circular economy related projects
• Experience of supporting workshops and engagement activities, and ability to work with colleagues and stakeholders to co‑design solutions
• Highly numerate individual with ability to collate, analyse, interpret and present qualitative and quantitative data and information in high quality
• Ability to prepare high quality written reports
• Good communication skills and ability to maintain professional relationships
• Ability to follow instruction and support stated aims of work
• Understanding of GIS is desirable, but not essential

Knowledge Knowledge of circular economy, the ecosystem and the role of cities, awareness of Glasgow’s Circular Economy Route Map, and Climate Plan.

Other: Enthusiasm on the related topics, willingness and appetite to learn and work on complex topics and new challenges, to attend and participate in workshops and meetings.

Application Procedure Apply via the Bright Green Business web link provided and click on the APPLY button. You will need to register in order to upload your CV and Cover Letter as your application. Please note that CV and Cover letter will need to be uploaded as ONE document. All communication is via EMAIL so always check your JUNK MAIL/SPAM folders for our responses.

Important:

• You must be eligible to work in the U.K. for the full length of your placement. Valid Visa will be sought.
• You must be available for the full length of your placement and be able to travel to the location.
• We will hold your application on our systems for 6 months from submission. This ensures your application can be considered for relevant roles where appropriate. If you would prefer us not to store your information for this period, please inform us.

We do endeavour to let all applicants know of the outcome once the whole process has been finalised. We welcome applications from all suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy, and maternity.